In today’s world, we all get too many emails. Our inboxes are often cluttered with communications that we pass by. They sit in our mailbox until we are overwhelmed and are compelled to mass delete. So how do you get your email noticed, opened and read? It’s all about capturing attention. Below are a couple of quick tips you can easily implement right now to help you connect with your audience via email.
Your Subject line.
You must create a subject line that’s going to grab your reader’s attention immediately and resonate. Subject lines should be short, creative and to the point without giving everything away. Some successful examples include:
· Proposing a question to get your reader thinking of a response.
· Getting personal by using the receiver’s first name, for example: “Sara, I’d love to talk to you about your upcoming event”.
· Make a connection: “Sara, Alan Smith referred you”. This helps build rapport.
· Or, set a date: “Do you have 10 minutes to grab coffee on Friday, May 4?”.
What should you avoid in your subject line? Capitalized words, exclamation points and certain statements will likely get you spammed. Connecting, outreach, touch base, urgent, help, deal, free, discount, reminder, %off, are some that top the do not use list. Lastly, don’t write a book in your subject line. The general rule of thumb is to keep it to around 65 characters or less, if possible.
Once you have created some sample subject lines, test them out. There are several email tracking systems out there with free versions that can tell you if your email has been opened or not. These programs include: MailTracker, Yesware and Clearslide. Still no luck? Get creative with those non-responders. Try some catchy follow up subject lines like: “Should I stay, or should I go” or “Did I lose you, Sara?”.
The Body of Your Email.
Much like your subject line, the first few sentences of your email must capture your reader’s interest. Remember, more than half of all emails are now opened on a mobile device or tablet. If your reader must repeatedly scroll to find the point of the email, you’re going to lose them. Ideally, your first email will be short and to the point with a solid opening. We suggest kicking off the email by talking about your reader or an attention-grabbing quote or stat, not about yourself. For example, instead of starting,: “Hi, I’m Joe from ABC Company and I specialize in creating wonderful emails and I….” try something like, “Hi Sara, I saw your post on Facebook and thought maybe we could partner on….” By focusing on the reader, you’re conveying that you know something about them and ideally their industry and need. And if you don’t, research your reader’s business and industry so you know who you’re talking to and what’s important to them.
Secondly, provide some value. What can you do to help them? Why will responding be easy and beneficial to them? Your reader will be inclined to learn more if you can show this. “I know the current struggle in your industry is…” OR “Are you making these SEO mistakes…?”. And when possible, state how you’ve helped others by briefly sharing an example of your success.
Your Closing.
It’s important to provide a solid closing. Don’t be vague. State exactly what you’re looking for and ask. If you wish to jump on a call with them or arrange a time to meet, ask outright: “I’d love to meet you for coffee on Tuesday or Wednesday. Are you available? Otherwise, we can chat on the phone anytime.”.
If you’ve followed the right steps and still have not received a response, don’t fret. Silence is not always a flat-out rejection. Test those subject lines, content and lengths of your emails. See what seems to work best. And remember, we’re all busy, so stick with it and be persistent; but not annoying. Chances are you’re doing things right and will hear from them down the road.
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