12 Ways to Get Customers to Open Your Email FIRST
Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - posted by hellomynameisscott at 9:03 AM
Want to know the secret to email follow up?TWO WORDS: Subject line.
Because that’s the only thing customers see.
Because that’s the only thing customers have the time to read.
Because that’s the only thing customers will use to decide whether or not to open it.
Because that’s the only way you can immediately differentiate yourself in their inbox.
So, it has to be engaging, interesting, curious and funny.
It has to appeal to their ego and emotions. Capture the interest. Make their head tilt to the side like a curious dog.
And you only have about 50 characters to do that.
The good news is, most of your competitors are titling their email with unremarkable, unengaging and uncreative titles like:
o Hi! (This sounds like spam.)
o Hey there… (This sounds like pornography.)
o What’s up? (Come on, you can do better than that!)
o Check this out… (Yep, more spam.)
o (No subject) (This is lazy and annoying.)
So, here’s your chance! Check out this list of 12 enticing subject lines for unforgettable follow up, along with a reason for why each of them work:
YOU WRITE: Have you seen this article about your company yet?
THEY THINK: Wait … there was an article about my company? Sweet! I hope it was positive!
YOU WRITE: I saw something that made me think of you…
THEY THINK: Really? Hmm … I wonder what makes other people think of ME?
YOU WRITE: Man, I sure hope you’ve already seen this…
THEY THINK: Eep! Did I miss something important?
YOU WRITE: I thought of you when I read this…
THEY THINK: I wonder if I’ve already seen it…?
YOU WRITE: I thought of you when I saw this…
THEY THINK: I wonder what this is…?
YOU WRITE: I was thinking about you the other day.
THEY THINK: Really? Cool! Tell me more. I like being thought about…
YOU WRITE: I was thinking about your business the other day.
THEY THINK: Ooh! This could be good…
YOU WRITE: Someone paid you a compliment yesterday.
THEY THINK: Hooray! Let’s see who loves me…
YOU WRITE: I blogged about you the other day…
THEY THINK: Link love? Awesome! Let’s have a look-see…
YOU WRITE: When I saw this, I immediately thought of you!
THEY THINK: Gotta love mindshare…
YOU WRITE: Your ears should be ringing…
THEY THINK: Yes! My evil plan for market domination is totally working!
YOU WRITE: Your name came up in a conversation recently…
THEY THINK: Sweet! I’d like to hear more about this…
- - -
OK. One final note about email follow up…
Don’t bait and switch people.
Give customers a valid reason for your persistence. Make sure your subject line ACTUALLY has something to do with your message, and isn’t just some trick to get them to open your email. People hate being duped like that.
Ultimately, it’s all about engagement, curiosity and emotion.
It’s about making the subject lines of your email fun, creative, memorable and attractive.
LET ME ASK YA THIS...
If your customers receive hundreds of emails a day, what’s going to make them want to open YOURS first?
LET ME SUGGEST THIS...
What are your Top Five Best Email Subject Lines? Share them here!
* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
scott@hellomynameisscott.com
Who's telling their friends about YOU?Tune in to The Marketing Channel on NametagTV.com!
Watch video lessons on spreading the word!
Labels: approachability, approachable, hello my name is blog, name tag, open your email first, scott ginsberg
Scott - Just 24 hours ago I came across this helpful list and have to thank you because already I have used 2 of the examples with much success!
Thank you.
_j
community creator
CorePage | Know more. Sell faster.
Great idea! Here's a quick brainstorm:
Scott - I owe you an apology
Scott - I have a confession to make
Scott - This is embarassing
Scott - How many times am I going to have to email you?
Scott, I just left a message on your voicemail
Scott -- are you available on Saturday May 10th?
I hope this isn't true...
Scott -- did you hear about bob?
Scott - read this quick and get back to me today
Scott - I owe you some money
Can't wait to see some others...
Dean Jackson
http://www.MarketingMonday.com
I learned one lesson about being specific rather than general. When I changed my subject lines for my monthly newsletter, the click-through rate improved by about 20%.
Before: Presentation Pointers, August 2007
After: [Presentation Pointers] Promote Your Business With Public Speaking
I'm also much quicker to open a newsletter or an e-mail when the title is specific.
Scott
You constantly provide valuable content on your blog.
Congratulations.
here are a few of my favorites that I like to use
Larry, this article should be of great value to you
Larry, I thought you should connect with Scott Ginsberg
Larry , did you see this?...
Larry, Per our conversation
Larry, Per our meeting
Read this very carefully, larry...
Please open this invitation today...
Larry, were you aware of this event
It's Finally Here...
It Happens at 2:00 pm Eastern
I look forward to connecting with or referring you business in the near future.
Larry Benet
The Connector
http://www.larrybenet.com
I agree with you that Subject Lines need to be relevant, to the point and get your attention quickly to get someone to open them. However, I have to say that each and every one of the 12 you listed, I would have immediately deleted thinking them as spam or some illicit enticement to get me to open a porn or some other nastyness. I would not have opened a one of them.
I'll stick to being direct & relevant. The mystery bit (at least to me) is annoying and will get deleted just as fast.
I have to agree with the comment by Salesdiva. I get tons of spam and I would promptly junk any email with the subject lines you listed as effective.
Email subjects are tough. Be direct and relevant, but if it sounds like you're trying to get their attention or sell to them, you get marked as spam.