Get back to basics and boost your email open rates.

You know that frustration you feel when you spend time writing digital marketing material, and it doesn't get opened by the recipient. Email fail, lack of interest; or being automatically diverted to a junk or marketing folder never to be viewed again can be ultra annoying for the sender.

How can you get a better response to your email messages and campaigns?

After needing to find a better way, I did a bit of soul-searching myself and came to the conclusion there needs to be a set of considerations each time I send an email campaign, while these may be basic I believe they are fundamental to getting a better response - so they are well worth trying out if you struggle with open rates.

Here are some ways I try to avoid my email campaigns and emarketing messages from heading straight to the cyber version of a big black hole?

Review: Carefully crafted and technically accurate content is only one battle in winning the war on a successful emarketing campaign. Once your content is designed before you press send it's vital that your email is compatible with all devices. What might look great on a PC could appear unstructured and incoherent on a mobile device. With 48% of users now regularly checking their emails on a handheld device, you need to make sure it looks great through all mediums. Litmus, Email on Acid and Campaign Monitor are all testing platforms that can be used to preview your email and provide feedback on its appearance, platforms such as Mail Chimp also have a great option for reviewing the look of your emails before you send them. You want people to appreciate your great content; it'll be worth it.

Send again: This might sound like a simple now you've thought about it! Mailchimp, Benchmark Email and Freshmail are just a couple of platforms that let you send emails and analyze the response data. For those that delete the email without opening - resend it and give them another chance to see that you mean business!! This may not work for every campaign. However if you amend the subject title slightly and make the email more of a follow up in your campaign, you can see the analytics gauge the response.

Subject line is key: OK, so this isn't new information, but it's still crucial and worth mentioning again. Those 50 characters and two-second browsing window have the ability to make or break your response, choose your words wisely! It is those few words that will make the difference between an email being opened, or not. Sounds simple, and that's because it is. Create urgency, intrigue and personality in your subject line to increase your open rate which will have a knock-on effect on the response you receive. Take your time when creating your subject line, if the email isn't opened it's the title that can penetrate the reader's mind.

Be consistent: A one-off email won't contribute to creating a strong relationship with your target market. Make sure that your messaging strategy is working in synergy with your social media, sales material, website and blogs. Develop a structured plan for your campaign ahead of your email campaign commencing and develop tangible goals and targets to ensure you are striving for success. If you're new to digital marketing, do some research as to what results you should be aiming for based on your sector and set your expectations high.

Plan your email strategy: Saturating your email list with three emails in a week can be just as detrimental as sending one email every three to four weeks. Plan a strategy centered on the needs of your customer and stick to it. Once your email recipients know you're in it for the long haul, they will unsubscribe if they feel the need, which will leave you to target your content at those who want to read it. If your product needs your emails to be sent more regularly than the average consumer might like, add a frequency option to your email so they can choose how often they hear from you rather than being tempted to unsubscribe if you catch them on a bad day.

Make sure that email is the right medium for your content: Your marketing strategist will be able to advise you on whether your content belongs on an email, website or sales copy. If you're promoting your creative writing ability or something else that your audience needs time and space to digest, perhaps a website is a better place for people to view this while they're browsing. Email content should be short, sharp and to the point and able to be digested while 'on the go.'

Be strategic with the use of images: There's no doubt that images increase the quality and aesthetics of your content ten-fold but be aware of the impact of image blocking. This is a routine problem for most browsers and is where images are replaced with an empty box or a red X. This is a method of blocking spam and stopping viruses so as authentic as you can make your copy and CTAs will be of benefit. Also, be aware of the size of images, you don't want to have an email that is so big people can't open it, or you're being perceived as super annoying due to a 10MB email clogging the server while it downloads.

Brand your email: One of the biggest challenges in an emarketing campaign is proving to the browsing Gods, and your recipients, that you're not spam. Always make sure that your email 'from' display is your company or brand name. Avoid using descriptors such as 'sales' 'admin' or an email address. Take the time to create a unique and engaging template that is visually appealing and add a human element to show you exist, this may be a welcome message with an image and signature or a warm and fuzzy story at the end about one of your business successes or supporting the local community.

There are many battles faced in an email marketing campaign and as spammers get more sophisticated, the list of challenges to get people to open, read and respond to your campaign continues to grow. These few simple tips will help keep you on the front foot and as with all marketing strategies, keep testing and persevere.

What's worked for you? I'd love to add to my list of simple tips of must do's - feel free to share yours too.