I've got an idea about email headlines and I want you to shoot me down.

by fin
10 replies
I got an idea from reading my emails. The one email I'm always pleased to see (and never changes) is:

Message from Joe Blogs

It's actually from Facebook, and everyone always enjoys getting messages of some kind.

I don't really care what fancy headline some marketer makes up.

So I was thinking of having a handle. A certain phrase that gets sent out with every email and people will know it's me straight away.

Do you think this would drastically reduce clickthroughs?
#email #headlines #idea #shoot
  • Profile picture of the author threezerozero
    i dont think it would reduce clickthroughs, but instead either increase or have no effect. Having the handle and that catchphrase will allow you to brand yourself and build up that brand. I think it's a good thing because your followers will be familiar with that handle/catchphrase and can immediately identify you with those two components.
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  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    Though branding yourself is always a good idea, I don't think a particular handle gets emails opened. It's the consistent good content associated with the handle that makes people want to open email.
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  • Profile picture of the author shawnlebrun
    i've always found the best email subject lines... in terms of open rates... are those that mention "you" and then a really important benefit the prospect is looking to get.

    i always try to make my email subject lines as good as headlines on a sales letter... since technically they ARE... you're trying to get someone to stop and read what you have to say... so I like thinking of email subjects as headlines... that's worked well for me.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jimsarmy
    You asked for an opinion, so maybe I am missing something? Why would a simple subject line that says "message from joe blow" produce more opens than a benefit-driven subject head?
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    • Profile picture of the author fin
      Originally Posted by Jimsarmy View Post

      You asked for an opinion, so maybe I am missing something? Why would a simple subject line that says "message from joe blow" produce more opens than a benefit-driven subject head?
      People know it's you. They will notice your regular message in the middle of all the noise. Of course it would only work if they actually wanted to read your emails every week.

      Anyway, I'm just guessing.
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  • Profile picture of the author michaeljcheney
    Test, test, test. This is the only answer that matters! :-)
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  • Profile picture of the author Ignite the Market
    I second what Michael just posted about testing. Branding is great, but everyone is only guessing on whether it will increase opens or clicks.
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  • Profile picture of the author paul nicholls
    am i missing something here

    when ever i send out emails to my lists my name is in the "from" section

    thats how people know its me and know to open up my email :-)

    paul
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    You could always get a swipe file and study examples from the headlines that you see there.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Rogers
    I understand what you're shooting for, but I don't think that "Message from" would do the trick.

    I'll use Paul Myers as an example since there's a recent thread recommending his TalkBizNews newsletter, which is popular and highly regarded. He often uses TalkBiz in his email subject lines. I suspect that he may have tested that, and that it gets more emails opened.

    However, if you want to brand yourself, the quality of your content is likely to be a bigger factor in getting your emails opened and read.
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