What makes you open an email?

18 years ago

Name of the sender. Title doesn't mean so much to me. In fact, I like titles that don't have super high emotions attached. If it's like "Title!!!" I'll hit delete. If it's from Frank Kern, I probably open whether it says "BAD NEWS" or "GOOD NEWS" in the title -- so it's "name" that's most important for me.

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Michael Shook 18 years ago

I will usually open the first email that has a subject line that I am pretty sure willlbe hitting my inbox enmasse. But mostly I don't read the subject lines to decide whether to ope the email or not. Or the from line either.

I can tell you what I don't open: fake personal emails, emails with my name in the subject line, and froms with weird characters in them to make sure I see that email sticking out in my inbox. I can't remember who was teaching that a while back to put thos [ ] or ---NAME --- in the from lines but it annoyed me after the 300th copycat tried it out. Sorry, rant over.

Mostly opening depends on how much time I have available.
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- vorales 18 years ago
  
  i will look at the sender first before i see the mail,than would be the subject.if any spam comes than by the name i will know and would detele it.
  
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  Sandor Verebi 18 years ago
  
  Hi Alex,
  
  Definitely the "FROM" is primary, and the "Subject" is secondary, either I expect something or not.
  
  Those times were over already at me when I read everything. I revise the emails in such a way now that my hand is on the delete button. And I use it diligently.
  
  All the best,
  
  Sandor
  
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  Ricter 18 years ago
  
  It's either from someone I know (sender), or it is obvious spam (subject).
  
  I open the latter so that I can get the domain and block it permanently.
  
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Mr. Blackhat 18 years ago

From is primary... subj is secondary but just as important
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- eljay003 18 years ago
  
  I usually check the senders name and email addy first. If it's from someone I knew, I will open it according to the subject that I want to read first. If it's someone I don't know I always check the subject. If it sounds spammy, I never bother to look and just delete them straight. Good thing with the new email clients, it filters the junk mails from the legit ones. Though there are really some Spammers who can get into my inbox
  
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BIG Mike

Banned 18 years ago

[DELETED]

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wilson765 18 years ago

Humour (as in Humor) everytime

Steve
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Tinkerbell

18 years ago

Hi Alex.

I'd never really thought of it before, but now that I have, it's usually the "From" field that gets me to click "Open". If I don't know ya, you'd better have a fairly compelling subject or you get deleted.

Tina

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Dave777

18 years ago

After I open my favorite ones who usually provide great content, I open all the rest for a very different reason. I use my Gmail as a creative keyword and brainstorming tool. Try it sometimes, use your Gmail as a word processor by adding niche content into Compose Mail and review all your emails. I know most don't checkout the right side of things, those Ads

but I do! Great niche finding and idea tool that just might get you thinking... No clicking, just copy & paste...

Dave

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Alexa Smith

Banned 18 years ago

[DELETED]

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zeurois

18 years ago

Originally Posted by alexa_s

Knowing/not knowing the person they're from is usually what determines whether I open them. If I don't recognise the name/address, then the subject-line will help me decide.

Same here.

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Rachel Goodchild

18 years ago

from is first- though sometimes if it's an email I REALLY want to read, I'll save it for last

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Ron Douglas

18 years ago

There are some emails I always open because the sender has a history of providing helpful or entertaining content.

There are other emails that I open when I get around to it because I know the sender is pitching yet another product that I'm probably not interested in. The only reason I open these at all is to study their marketing.

Occasionally a great subject line will get me to open an email no matter who it's from.

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naruq 18 years ago

curiosity will make me open an email everytime.
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Tuzic

Banned 18 years ago

hi,

its the title in the email that gets me but more than that is the person its from if its a personal email then i will immediately open it or an email i am waiting a reply for.

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eljay003

18 years ago

I usually check the senders name and email addy first. If it's from someone I knew, I will open it according to the subject that I want to read first. If it's someone I don't know I always check the subject. If it sounds spammy, I never bother to look and just delete them straight. Good thing with the new email clients, it filters the junk mails from the legit ones. Though there are really some Spammers who can get into my inbox :-(

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Peggy Baron 18 years ago

Okay, I just got back from a 4 day vacation and I'm looking at my in-bin, which is bulging at the seams.

This is my pattern, now that I'm analyzing it:

First - any client issues.
2nd - internet friend emails.
3rd - favorite emailers (looking at the sender here) who always send valuable content.
4th - subject lines having to do with my current area of interest.
5th - subject lines that make me curious.

Delete - spam that made it through the filters and any current big launches.

Peggy
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Kyle Tully

18 years ago

90% sender.

6% title.

4% timing.

E.g. When I get up in the morning it's evening in the U.S. so I have a whole pile of emails in my inbox.

I open a handful based on the sender.

If someone else has an interesting subject line I'll open theirs, but it has to be interesting to me personally. Not some "bad news" or "check this out" type thing.

Finally, if something is sent during the day (Aussie time) I'm more likely to open it. I check emails a couple of times during the day and if there are only 2 or 3 I'll open them all for a quick break from work.

The rest get "marked as read" and stored for reference.

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pmore

18 years ago

I only open emails from people I want to hear from. 80% of my emails get deleted before I even open them.

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David Congreave

18 years ago

I'd not really given it any thought before, but I also tend to notice the FROM field before anything else.

But, in terms of emails from IMers, is it easier to recognise the sender by the name of the person, or the name of the program/website/product?

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AndrewCavanagh 18 years ago

From field first, subject second.

It's quite difficult to get me to open an email and in many cases these days I just open them so I can click on the unsubscribe link.

You really want to be VERY targeted with your emails and always provide something of genuine value to your subscribers.

You also have to do it with a sexy enough subject line so your subscribers open the email.

Then a sexy call to action early on so your subscribers click through to your site.

Kindest regards,
Andrew Cavanagh
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abelacts

18 years ago

For me "From" field first and the subject second. Those who always send nothing but pitches will not get me open. I look for topics that are related to my areas of interest. If it has got nothing to do with my current projects, I will give it a pass. Also, I will avoid hypey and clever subjects that are trying to trick you into opening.

But again, keep a swipe file of email subjects that made you open. Then use it for your own emails. Talk about leverage!

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Brant

14 years ago

Originally Posted by abelacts

For me "From" field first and the subject second. Those who always send nothing but pitches will not get me open. I look for topics that are related to my areas of interest. If it has got nothing to do with my current projects, I will give it a pass. Also, I will avoid hypey and clever subjects that are trying to trick you into opening.

But again, keep a swipe file of email subjects that made you open. Then use it for your own emails. Talk about leverage!

Excellent advice.

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JimDucharme

14 years ago

Some great advice and feedback here!

I agree that the from name is key. I also think abelact's advice about using those emails which got your attention as examples for your own efforts is gold! I'd create a sub folder and drop them in there for inspiration. I don't think most of us spend enough time looking for inspiration from others when it comes to email marketing -- we tend to get into a routine and stop looking around, but I could be wrong.

Regards,
jim

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R Hagel

14 years ago

Yep, it's the "from" field for me. If it comes from the right sender, it doesn't even matter what they put in the subject line. Seriously. Put something stupid, dull or nothing at all, and I'd still open it if it came from the right sender.

On another note, this is a good reason why people shouldn't just willy nilly change their "from" field.

Becky

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JimDucharme

14 years ago

I forgot to add. The dumbest from address on the planet has to be "noreply@." Never use that or any variation of same. I boggle at the fact that some major brands still do it.

Regards,
jim

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rohan731

14 years ago

A good title is the most important thing. You have to use the imperative.
Instead of Get this autoresponder free, use Download this autoresponder NOW.
You need to keep the method secret,
instead of How to increase your list size using Google Adwords, use "Use THIS method to increase your email list size greatly."
You have to arouse the curiosity of the person reading the email, they need to want to know more. A good,interesting title is a lot better way of doing it.
A sense of urgency is always good eg. " Hurry Now! Stocks are running out"

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KickAss Marketing

14 years ago

Opening an email basically depends on the relevance of the sender's name and the title/subject of the email. If these two items of an email give a high level of relevance for t he reader then the chances of the email being read is also higher.

To make an email read, understand who your sending it to and do your best to make that email as relevant as possible to the recipient.

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JennySweets

14 years ago

1: marketer name (certain marketers get auto open from me despite headlines because i know they don't promote garbage).

2: headline (gotta be good because I have thousands of emails to sift through between all my accounts.

3: I've been on the lookout for someone to promote something and they are obviously doing so. (Usually not the case because usually number 1 has covered that)

Things that will make me automatically unsub -

1: saying your email is coming from support somewhere like clickbank when it is not.
2: mentioning "your account" when you have nothing to do with my account anywhere.
3: obviously crappy swaps especially when i get more swaps than actual emails from someone.

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Kal Sallam

14 years ago

1- Who's it from Offcourse.
2- To observe & study the marketing technique.
3- To keep up with hot trends.
4- If the subject line is really catchy and I mean really catchy!

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fin 14 years ago

Who it's from. Nothing else matters. Not even the headline or the time it's sent.
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rohan731

14 years ago

An interesting,compelling, makes the reader want to read more, imperative kind of title.
An example would be "Use THIS method to start earning you some big bucks."

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stan07

14 years ago

For me it's always the the from as apposed to the subject then the odd occasion a subject line cos i'm considering that particular option at the time.

I guess this proves that once you gained the trust of a marketer and you're known for your quality content you can always hit the sweet spot.

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larry1113

14 years ago

Thanks for creating this thread, this was really helpful.

And I'd say, From and Subject Line. First it's the From part though.

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AnnieHz

14 years ago

2 things cause me to open emails: Who it's from and the subject line.

Most emails I get are either spam or not interesting to me. I always open personal email, but for an advertising email to get my attention, it needs to be targeted to what I'm interested in.

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EddieWade

Banned 14 years ago

I usually do not open e-mails unless I know who the sender is. Sometimes I may read one if the subject is quite promising. Not reading forwarded messages, or those who have general/impersonal subject title.

And I did not miss anything by doing this way so far! :-)

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johnben1444

14 years ago

I know what i do and i know what kind of mails and expected to receive and attend to if the title is completely unrelated to my subject i barely open it.

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Scott E

14 years ago

I open anything that looks personable to me..not anything that screams "OPEN ME" but a more personal level in the title as opposed to "make 3,000 a day starting today"

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erwin78

14 years ago

Hi everyone,

the problem with me is that I'm opening almost all my e-mials but I read very few.

So the best part must be on the begining of the e-mail it must catch my attention.

But good question.

All the best and see you on top.
Your friend and partner Erwin.

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AllThingsLuxury

14 years ago

Great ideas.

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Chris Lengley

14 years ago

Name of the senders - who have proved their worth and constantly prove again and again.

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tcindustries

14 years ago

Usually the most provocative and dramatic subject line and then i kick myself for being suckered into opening it

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Stuart Campbell

14 years ago

Who the email is from 90% of the time, when you start to study some copy, you tend to read the subject lines in a different light.

I choose to open the emails from good marketers (those who I'm familiar with) to see how they construct the message they are trying to get across, instead of paying too much attention to the message itself.

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Randall Magwood

14 years ago

An enticing email subject line. Especially when a guru emails me and the subject is: [no subject].

I fall for it everytime.

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drmani 14 years ago

Like BIG Mike, I guard my inbox fiercely through the aggressive
use of filters.

If it's in my inbox, it gets opened and glanced at.

If not, well... it's a function of the time I have available,
and my mood at the moment!

All success
Dr.Mani

P.S. - The one person's email I read every day is Ben Settle's
copywriting list message. Entertaining and informative.

No, Ben didn't pay me to say that :p
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mlord10

14 years ago

The big one for me is definitely who the email is from. I have a handful of people that I like reading their blogs & don't mind reading their "sales offers" as well, because they provide a ton of value.

On the other hand, there are some marketers that no matter what the subject is, I just delete it because I know I'm about to get pitched a product via an un-masked, ugly Clickbank affiliate link from someone I barely know, who certainly has not taken the time to try & deliver any real value!

If you're part of the latter group...get a clue!

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SebCole

14 years ago

for me its mainly a catchy title. If its the same as most of the junk i wont open it.

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