Why Email Marketing Still Matters.
In a world filled with social media and instant messaging, email marketing continues to be one of the most effective ways to engage customers. Why? Because it offers direct, personal communication. However, getting people to open your emails is half the battle.
If your open rates are low, your messages may not be reaching their full potential. Fortunately, with a few tweaks to your strategy, you can boost engagement. Here are five tips to improve your email open rates.
1. Craft Attention-Grabbing Subject Lines
Your subject line is the first thing people see, and it often determines whether they’ll open your email. Aim to create short, intriguing subject lines that spark curiosity or offer value.
Some best practices include:
- Keep it under 9 words or 60 characters.
- Use action words or questions to grab attention.
- Personalise the subject line with the recipient’s name or interests.
For inspiration, check out HubSpot’s guide to writing email subject lines.
2. Time Your Emails for Maximum Impact
When you send your emails matters. Studies have shown that email open rates vary depending on the day and time of delivery.
Generally, the best times to send emails are:
- Tuesday to Thursday mornings, between 9 AM and 11 AM
- Mid-week afternoons, between 1 PM and 3 PM
However, you should experiment and check your own data, as audience behaviour may vary. Use tools like Mailchimp or Brevo to analyse email timing performance.
Learn more about optimal email timing at Campaign Monitor’s resource page.
3. Personalise Your Content
Personalisation increases engagement. In fact, personalised emails are 26% more likely to be opened (source).
Here are a few ways to personalise:
- Include the recipient’s name in the subject line or greeting.
- Segment your list based on customer behaviour (e.g., previous purchases, engagement history).
- Send tailored recommendations or exclusive offers.
The more relevant your email feels to the recipient, the better your chances of a response.
4. Segment Your Email List
List segmentation means dividing your email list into groups based on specific criteria, such as demographics, behaviour, or purchase history.
Segmentation allows you to send more targeted and relevant content. For example:
- New subscribers might get a welcome series.
- Loyal customers could receive VIP offers or updates.
- Inactive users could get re-engagement campaigns.
For more ideas on segmentation, check out this guide to email segmentation by Mailchimp.
5. Optimise for Mobile
More than 40% of email opens happen on mobile devices. If your emails aren’t mobile-friendly, you risk losing engagement.
To optimise your emails for mobile:
- Use a single-column layout.
- Ensure text and buttons are easily clickable.
- Preview your emails on different devices before sending.
Email marketing platforms like Brevo or Mailchimp offer mobile previews to help you optimise your design.
Start Boosting Your Email Engagement Today
Improving your email open rates can significantly enhance your marketing success. Focus on writing compelling subject lines, sending emails at the right time, and personalising content through segmentation.
If you’re ready to take your email marketing to the next level, Your Business Online offers expert services to help you create, manage, and optimise your campaigns.
🚀 Contact us today to get started!
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