5 Surefire Ways to Get Someone to Open Your Email

unsplash.com

Email is the go-to method of communication in the workplace, trumping phone calls and face-to-face exchanges by a landslide. Texting is OK for quick correspondence or follow-up in certain circumstances, depending on the field you are in, but email reigns supreme, and we surely send (and receive) a lot of it.


But when we don’t get a reply, anxiety sets in. Did the recipient get my email? And if they did, why haven’t they responded? Did they even open it? Should I send a friendly reminder? But what if they don’t get that one either, or don’t open it yet again? The questions are common but can be avoided by knowing there is a better chance that your recipient will be inclined to open an email from you if you make some changes in your sending habits.

Here are 5 ways you can increase the likelihood that your email will be opened, read, and hopefully responded to. A few tweaks to your current emailing regime can make a major difference in your correspondence productiveness.

unsplash.com

Keep the Subject Brief

Short and sweet is the name of the game when it comes to email subjects. Too short (as in a word or two) and it probably won’t make sense, so aim for 6-10 words to craft a clear and concise subject line that is meaningful and to-the-point.

According to Entrepreneur, “People who regularly read email messages typically scan the subject line quickly, only seeing the first three to five words, especially if they’re using a smartphone or tablet to check email. This means putting the most important part of your subject line at the beginning.”

Start off strong and make your words count.

Timing is Everything

When you send can be as important as what your sending. If you are working tirelessly in the wee hours of the morning and send an email at 4am, your recipient may not even see it once it moves down their mailbox once all the rest of the morning’s emails flow in.

Inc. notes, “Think about when your (recipient) is most likely to be in a frame of mind to be open to your (message).”

Additionally, if you send emails all the time to a particular recipient, they may overlook the truly important ones. Only email when absolutely necessary so they are not overloaded with emails from you, not knowing which to open first. Because they may become overwhelmed and not open any at all.

Be Specific

Along with a short subject line, you need to have a clear message. “Please advise on this topic,” and “A few ideas for so and so,” are not eye-catching or evidently urgent. Your recipient wants to have an idea of what the content of your email will be to entice them to open it.

As per Entrepreneur, “The better you can communicate your story in just a few words, the more likely your email will be opened.”

Another tip, “Lead with a benefit,” as B2B Marketing recommends. “It gives them an incentive to open your email.”

Write a personalized and actionable subject line so the recipient sees a need to reply immediately or in a timely fashion upon getting the gist of what you’re after.

Get the Recipient Curious

Once you lead in with a subject line that is clear and specific, leave the recipient longing for more by catering to their natural curiosity.

One way to spark interest is by asking a question in the subject line. According to B2B Marketing, “Questions are a great way to pique your reader’s curiosity and inspire them to open your emails in search for more information.”

And Entrepreneur adds, “People like inside information, secrets and exclusive information. Communicate those characteristics as appropriate. Funny works too!”

Make Sure They Know Who It’s From

If your recipient doesn’t know who an email is from, they may think it is spam/junk or unwanted marketing messaging. Be sure it is obvious that your email is from you and the recipient can see this immediately. And if you get a new email address, make note of this in your subject line.

Entrepreneur advises, “Send the email from you–your name–not an impersonal or vague email address.”

WikiHowadds,Use a professional email, as your email will show up alongside the subject line.”

With so many emails filling everyone’s inbox, weeding through them all is like a finding a needle in a haystack. Get your email seen and opened by following this advice. Just get ready to respond in the fashion you’re seeking from others!

unsplash.com

string(5492) "

Email is the go-to method of communication in the workplace, trumping phone calls and face-to-face exchanges by a landslide. Texting is OK for quick correspondence or follow-up in certain circumstances, depending on the field you are in, but email reigns supreme, and we surely send (and receive) a lot of it.


But when we don't get a reply, anxiety sets in. Did the recipient get my email? And if they did, why haven't they responded? Did they even open it? Should I send a friendly reminder? But what if they don't get that one either, or don't open it yet again? The questions are common but can be avoided by knowing there is a better chance that your recipient will be inclined to open an email from you if you make some changes in your sending habits.

Here are 5 ways you can increase the likelihood that your email will be opened, read, and hopefully responded to. A few tweaks to your current emailing regime can make a major difference in your correspondence productiveness.

unsplash.com

Keep the Subject Brief

Short and sweet is the name of the game when it comes to email subjects. Too short (as in a word or two) and it probably won't make sense, so aim for 6-10 words to craft a clear and concise subject line that is meaningful and to-the-point.

According to Entrepreneur, "People who regularly read email messages typically scan the subject line quickly, only seeing the first three to five words, especially if they're using a smartphone or tablet to check email. This means putting the most important part of your subject line at the beginning."

Start off strong and make your words count.

Timing is Everything

When you send can be as important as what your sending. If you are working tirelessly in the wee hours of the morning and send an email at 4am, your recipient may not even see it once it moves down their mailbox once all the rest of the morning's emails flow in.

Inc. notes, "Think about when your (recipient) is most likely to be in a frame of mind to be open to your (message)."

Additionally, if you send emails all the time to a particular recipient, they may overlook the truly important ones. Only email when absolutely necessary so they are not overloaded with emails from you, not knowing which to open first. Because they may become overwhelmed and not open any at all.

Be Specific

Along with a short subject line, you need to have a clear message. "Please advise on this topic," and "A few ideas for so and so," are not eye-catching or evidently urgent. Your recipient wants to have an idea of what the content of your email will be to entice them to open it.

As per Entrepreneur, "The better you can communicate your story in just a few words, the more likely your email will be opened."

Another tip, "Lead with a benefit," as B2B Marketing recommends. "It gives them an incentive to open your email."

Write a personalized and actionable subject line so the recipient sees a need to reply immediately or in a timely fashion upon getting the gist of what you're after.

Get the Recipient Curious

Once you lead in with a subject line that is clear and specific, leave the recipient longing for more by catering to their natural curiosity.

One way to spark interest is by asking a question in the subject line. According to B2B Marketing, "Questions are a great way to pique your reader's curiosity and inspire them to open your emails in search for more information."

And Entrepreneur adds, "People like inside information, secrets and exclusive information. Communicate those characteristics as appropriate. Funny works too!"

Make Sure They Know Who It's From

If your recipient doesn't know who an email is from, they may think it is spam/junk or unwanted marketing messaging. Be sure it is obvious that your email is from you and the recipient can see this immediately. And if you get a new email address, make note of this in your subject line.

Entrepreneur advises, "Send the email from you--your name--not an impersonal or vague email address."

WikiHowadds, "Use a professional email, as your email will show up alongside the subject line."

With so many emails filling everyone's inbox, weeding through them all is like a finding a needle in a haystack. Get your email seen and opened by following this advice. Just get ready to respond in the fashion you're seeking from others!

unsplash.com

"

What Is Kylie Jenner’s Net Worth? 

Kylie Jenner

The Kar-Jenner family is loaded thanks to their business prowess (and fierce momager, Kris Jenner.) Kim Kardashian said it best when she lamented that it “seems like nobody wants to work these days,” but these sisters never have a day off. And that’s why the topic of Kylie Jenner’s net worth is so intriguing.  But

What Is Taylor Swift’s Net Worth? 

Taylor Swift for "The Tortured Poet's Department"

Taylor Swift is a megastar singer-songwriter known for her narrative songwriting, catchy pop tunes, and versatility across genres like country, pop, and indie folk. She breaks every music record with ease, partially thanks to her die-hard Swiftie fans who follow her with vigor and buy out every single show. And with Taylor Swift’s net worth

Considering A Microwedding? Here’s How To Plan Yours

Microweddings are the next hottest trend.

Traditional weddings can be incredibly stressful, not to mention super pricey – many newlyweds couldn’t buy a house with that money. What’s supposed to be the happiest day of your life can often feel like an endless quest for absolute perfection – almost as if the ceremony doesn’t come off flawlessly, the marriage itself will

The Artists Vs. The Machine: The Dark Side Of AI In The Music Industry

Taylor Swift, The Tortured Poets Department

Republic Records

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become overwhelmingly popular in the past few years. The world has leaned full-force into technology and entrusted AI with, well, everything. You can see AI commercials, AI-powered statistics during sports games, and there was even a whole writer’s strike over the AI Invasion of storytelling and Hollywood. As I’ve watched tens

Creating A Distraction-Free Zone At Work

Photo by Arlington Research (Unsplash)

You’re powering through your morning. You’re in the zone. Getting so much done. But then you get Slacked with an innocent question: “Gotta moment to discuss the Jefferson thing?” “💯!” you answer instantly and get pulled off-task for 15- 20 minutes. And just before you’ve solved the Jefferson issue, your manager’s supervisor’s EA emails you

The TRUTH About The Trad Wife Trend

Nara Smith, Lucky Blue Smith, and daughter Rumble Honey

Matthew Brookes / Oliver Peoples

Imagine this: you marry the man of your dreams. You have two beautiful children with another on the way. You spend your days cooking gorgeous, nutritious meals for your family…. from scratch. You get paid to share your daily life and meals with people around the world. But here’s the catch: half of those people