Words that get email opens

19 replies
I've been looking through a new funnel I set up a few months ago and checking out the open rates of emails for the last 2 days...

some of the words that seem to get more opens for me..

emails with the first name of the customer

emails with 'how to'

emails with numbers

emails with ____ (as in they have to open to fill in the blank)

emails with 'you' or 'your' in the title.

they are just a few that jumped out at me.

there maybe something new there for you-maybe not
#email #opens #words
  • Profile picture of the author marleymae
    Originally Posted by Quality Copywriter View Post

    I've been looking through a new funnel I set up a few months ago and checking out the open rates of emails for the last 2 days...

    some of the words that seem to get more opens for me..

    emails with the first name of the customer

    emails with 'how to'

    emails with numbers

    emails with ____ (as in they have to open to fill in the blank)

    emails with 'you' or 'your' in the title.

    they are just a few that jumped out at me.

    there maybe something new there for you-maybe not
    Thank you for the tips!
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    • Profile picture of the author Raydal
      One of the most powerful words I've found in a subject line
      is this.

      -Ray Edwards
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  • Profile picture of the author bonvideo
    Also EMAILS with accusing or personal implications..

    For example:
    IS YOUR FAMILY SAFE?
    WHY ARE YOU DOING THAT?
    I KNOW WHAT YOU JUST DID..
    STOP EMAILING HER..
    HOW IS BUSINESS GOING AFTER RECENT ISSUES?
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  • Profile picture of the author bpoowaah
    Want to add some of my personal HIGH open rates.

    HURRY UP
    omg...
    I Don't Believe!
    You Must SEE This

    Also, i have pre built templates.

    How To ___________
    Warning: ___________
    Secrets Of _________
    Are You Ready ________?

    This have high open rates and proven for works. Test by yourself.

    Also i have two awesome posts on my blog, so you can follow a step by step very easy.

    How To Create A Killer HeadLine With Simple Steps
    How To Write Great Sales Copy

    To your success,
    bpoowaah.
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    • Profile picture of the author Leadsupply
      Great tips guys.

      I've tried tons of different subject lines in my marketing as well and I have tried some of what was mentioned here. And to my shock is they are the ones that did really work. Maybe not the best but way better than others. I won't say any specifically.

      These lines are definitely good to add in your arsenal.

      Thanks everyone.
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      https://www.rankleads.com/ Fresh Web Design and SEO Leads for Sale.
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  • Profile picture of the author DKCopywriter
    Stuff that piques the reader's interest, yet doesn't answer it
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  • Profile picture of the author Bengr86
    I've got a question though - do you find that clickbait subject lines add to or decrease from the chances that the user will open the email? This is just me, but if I was given an email with a clickbait subject line, I'd sent it to spam almost immediately.
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    • Profile picture of the author jtopres
      I think the audience you are approaching determines if clickbait subject lines are ok or not.

      If you know your audience you can be a bit more salesy or try to shake them a bit but I'd be careful with cold lists.

      One should also remember that in case a clickbait subject line is used the content behind it should deliver the promise that stands in the subject line.

      So use clickbait subject lines if you know your audience and deliver what you promise.
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      • Profile picture of the author Bengr86
        Originally Posted by jtopres View Post

        I think the audience you are approaching determines if clickbait subject lines are ok or not.

        If you know your audience you can be a bit more salesy or try to shake them a bit but I'd be careful with cold lists.

        One should also remember that in case a clickbait subject line is used the content behind it should deliver the promise that stands in the subject line.

        So use clickbait subject lines if you know your audience and deliver what you promise.
        I get what you're saying, and I understand where you're coming from, but I've always had an aversion to clickbait, reading as well as writing. I can understand that its at times necessary, and that it works, I just feel that if I hate it, why should others not hate it? But that's just me, like I said.

        Imagine this scenario, though: You have an awesome new SEO tool, really gonna change the game for anyone who uses it. You've got an email list 30,000 strong which you're going to use to cold send an email to experts in the field.

        You have to assume that the experts would be smarter than the average bear. Would you use clickbait or something more informative?
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        • Profile picture of the author jtopres
          Originally Posted by Bengr86 View Post

          I get what you're saying, and I understand where you're coming from, but I've always had an aversion to clickbait, reading as well as writing. I can understand that its at times necessary, and that it works, I just feel that if I hate it, why should others not hate it? But that's just me, like I said.

          Imagine this scenario, though: You have an awesome new SEO tool, really gonna change the game for anyone who uses it. You've got an email list 30,000 strong which you're going to use to cold send an email to experts in the field.

          You have to assume that the experts would be smarter than the average bear. Would you use clickbait or something more informative?
          I get what you are saying and I'm not a big fan of subject lines that are too salesy or pushy either.

          I think with cold but savvy audience you should be pretty neutral and just bring out the benefit clearly without being trashy and maybe back it up with some data. This way you're not labeled as an amateur.

          If somebody pushes too much and I don't know them I might think that they have to over promise and try to get my attention with any possible means cause their product isn't that good.

          So I'd probably go with something like:
          "Improve your SERP rankings with [tool name]" or "Case study: Increase your Organic Traffic by 230%".

          Obviously it's matter of testing and only the Data knows. Every audience is different.
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  • Extensive research in the copywriters attic concludes that a question which creates curiosity (the itch that must be scratched) wins by a country mile.

    Now, after a long day hammering away on the Olivetti I may find myself in "Kate's Delicious Diner" for steak (medium done) and chips washed down with a strong cup of tea.

    And if a stranger says to me "Hey, do you want to know the secret to everlasting success?" - I may not pay too much attention.

    But if a friend says "Steve, do you want to know the secret to everlasting success?" - I will at least listen.

    I feel this "scientifically" proves it is not the subject line we should be agonising about.

    Because your audience feels it is far more important WHO is saying it.

    Simply put if they know and like you - there's an excellent chance they'll open your email.


    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author Oziboomer
      Originally Posted by Steve The Copywriter View Post

      Simply put if they know and like you - there's excellent chance they'll click open your email
      This is indeed true and it pays to steer client's way from "hype" when it comes to subject lines.

      there is only so many times you can use...

      Sorry...

      I forgot...

      In my experience usually a good subject line that gets a good response cannot be repeated, at least not for an extended time unless it is going to an entirely different audience.

      If you are running timed sequences to a new subscriber then the subject lines which convert better can be revised and refined to get better results.

      Even though there is urgency in each of the communications for a few of my clients each month I tend to resist the desperate approach and have one down the more traditional publishing approach of Naming the publication and edition number.

      Over time with subscribers who expect to receive a communication they prefer a low key consistent approach that arrives regularly when they expect it and without too much hype.

      For a new subscriber I'm not one for much in the way of anything pushy.

      How about you?

      Is there an urgency for you to get higher open rates and higher conversions by pushing the issues?

      Or is sometimes patience and restraint the best course of action
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      • Profile picture of the author Bengr86
        Originally Posted by Oziboomer View Post

        Is there an urgency for you to get higher open rates and higher conversions by pushing the issues?

        Or is sometimes patience and restraint the best course of action
        Honestly, it depends on why you're sending the email, and who you're sending it for.

        When I was working for a public advocacy NGO, we were looking for higher open rates and conversion, because those led to donations, which kept the money flowing.

        Same when I was working for a startup. We needed customers, pronto, because, well, startup. That's how the game works.

        When I was working on e-commerce sites, there was less urgency, and we could spread an email campaign out over the period of 3-4 days or even a week.
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  • Profile picture of the author niksto82
    I would put something excessively friendly so that a person gets confused and open the mail. Something like: "Hey Fred, how bout you hook me up with your wife's friend?" or "Jim, next time you clog my toilet, you are cleaning it yourself!"
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  • So…you're stuck.

    You can't think of a super clever, ultra persuasive, con you into opening, mind mending trick for your subject line.

    And your audience thinks, "Thank f*** for that" - ("cos lets be honest, you're only gonna try and flog me something anyway").

    And when you managed a "ha ha gotcha to read" subject line - more often than not the content could never equate to the miracle promising heading.

    What a disappointment it was for the poor reader - another huge intriguing question and a massive letdown on the answer.

    So… why not make your content so amazing it wouldn't matter a dot what the subject line is.

    If I know from previous experience that I'm likely to read something fabulous.

    It could start…

    Today...My Thoughts…

    Click and I'm in.


    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author onlineworker11
    Thanks for sharing this
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    • Profile picture of the author Bengr86
      I agree, only the data knows. The problem is in how many emails and prospective clients you burn gathering the data about what works. Well, I guess that's more or less the nature of cold emailing campaigns. Doesn't mean I have to like it, but there it is, what are ya gonna do?
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  • Profile picture of the author Reddevil007
    It's time to do some testing for sure.
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  • Profile picture of the author ClickForward
    bookmarked !
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