It’s email dating 101: there’s nothing worse than waking up,
checking your email, and find that annoying email from last night – trying to
get back into your inbox for a second round.
As with dating, a lot can go right in an email. The person
you’re currently sharing your message with might just be the
perfect customer for your brand. Your email might appeal to their needs and
build a lifelong relationship. Or your recipient may discover that while you
two have no chemistry, your product would be a perfect match
for one of their friends.
But (also like dating) a lot can go wrong. If
you’re striking out in your email campaigns
, you’ve got to tweak your pitch. Here are nine reasons that marketing emails get rejected – any of these sound familiar?
, you’ve got to tweak your pitch. Here are nine reasons that marketing emails get rejected – any of these sound familiar?
1. Your subject lines made a bad first impression.
Your recipient’s experience with your email starts before
it’s ever opened – with the subject line. A lot is riding on these
50 characters or less. Some classic subject line “don’ts” include boring copy,
ALL CAPS, excessive exclamation points, and – of course – deceiving messages.
The subject line “Warning” or “Re:” might earn you opens, but it won’t earn
you customers.
What to do: A/B test all your subject lines.
Make sure they reflect your email’s intent.
Just how clean is your data? Identify where your data requires attention, allowing you to choose which areas to improve.
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2. You bored them to death.
Are your emails dry, long, and/or monotonous? Imagine that
the recipient is looking for her shoes, her dog is barking to be let out, and
she’s late for a meeting. She does not have a year to spend decoding and
analyzing your jargon. This is your chance. Don’t waste it.
What to do: Don’t be afraid of a little “edge,”
a human touch, or even a fun, unusual inclusion. And don’t write a
novel – the faster you get to your CTA (when you ask for a second date), the
better.
3. You forgot to test your display.
You wouldn’t show up to a date in a stained shirt, or with
toilet paper stuck to your shoe – which is why you check out your appearance
before you arrive. Email is similar. Don’t show up in your buyer’s inbox without
testing your display.
What to do: Before you send out an email, test
it on all email clients – and don’t forget mobile.
4. You advertised a bigger, better, or cheaper version of
yourself.
Don’t exaggerate your height in your online dating profile,
and don’t make false promises in your emails. Are you a car dealership?
Splendid – I’m in the market for a car! But don’t claim your deals are “once in
a lifetime” if you’ll be holding the exact same sale next weekend.
What to do: You’re looking for a long-term
relationship, not a one night stand. There’s no need to advertise your
challenges, but if you highlight qualities you don’t really have, your customer will eventually
find out.
5. You forgot his/her name.
During my worst date in college, the girl admitted she’d
forgotten my name. She explained that she’d gone on a lot of dates recently,
but the damage was done. Guys and girls, you need to personalize your emails –
at the very least, don’t use thewrong name.
What to do: When you email your database, use
first names if you’ve got them. This is easy if your marketing
automationallows you to use “tokens” in your emails.
6. You brought up money too soon.
Email is not the place to ask for a sale –
it’s like asking your date to buy your dinner while you’re still eating
appetizers. Many people read emails while they’re rushed, busy, or waiting in
line for coffee, which is why an email is a great place to build relationships
with your customers, or to educate them on your product or deals. Don’t address
your greed – address their needs.
What to do: Don’t mention pricing in your email.
Mentioning a free trial or referral program is fine, but don’t overdo it.
7. You over shared. Again.
Your audience doesn’t need emails about how you’re
remodeling your building, or how your company recently celebrated its
fourteenth month in business. Save these kind of updates for your blog or social…or
for a phone call with your mom.
What to do: Keep your emails about the reader.
They should be interesting and entertaining to people who aren’t already 100%
invested in your brand.
8. You came off as insecure.
Making fun of the competition just makes you look insecure.
And if you’re saying this to customers of your competitor,
it’s even worse – they hear, “Everything you own is terrible, and ours is
better.”
What to do: Take the high road. If you are truly
better than your competitors, the proof will be in the results.
9. You didn’t listen.
Email marketing is about conversations. Don’t send
multiple emails on a topic your audience isn’t interest in; don’t send the same
email twice; and – if you have the technology – don’t offer them content
they’ve already viewed on your website or on social.
Article From: blog.marketo.com