We all get too many emails we’d rather not receive. Some are spam, while others may be from people we choose not to communicate with.
That’s why, when sending personal emails, you hope your email doesn’t fall into either of those categories. If you are, it can increase the chance that your email won’t be opened at all.
Too often, onliners inadvertently underestimate the Subject: field. Doing so reduces the likelihood that their email will be opened, leading to their messages being blocked, deleted, or sent to the trash.
A study I came across found that 41.1% of recipients decide whether to open an email based on the Subject: field. So let’s make sure our emails are those that get opened.
Simple Subject: Field Tips
Follow these tips so your emails are opened.
Never confuse the Subject: field with the body of the email. Do not want to use the Subject: field to ask a question or make a point, and leave the body of the email empty. This is the epitome of laziness and spammy. You also risk your email being blocked by spam filters.
Keep your subject line concise and to the point. Most email clients display only the first 50 characters, so make sure your subject line is compelling and succinct. Always include an appropriate, short, and accurate Subject:. Many email programs auto-delete subjectless emails to Junk/Trash.
Type your subject with appropriate capitalization and structure. All lowercase or all caps gives the impression of being spam (not to mention a lack of education or technology skills).
Refrain from using common terms abused by spammers in the subject and first paragraph of your email. You know what they are—you see them every day. You also want to avoid using words like ‘Hello,’ ‘Hi,’ and ‘Help,’ as these may trigger spam filters. Many spam filters track these terms and may inadvertently mark your email as spam.
Be Clear and Specific: Your email subject line should clearly convey what your email is about so the recipient knows what to expect. Avoid vague or misleading subject lines.
Use Action-Oriented Language: Use verbs and action-oriented language in your subject line to encourage the recipient to take action. For example, instead of “Checking In…,” try “Please let me know…”
Email Etiquette Overall
Yes, the subject is essential to your emails getting opened. But then you still want to ensure you use good communication practices overall.
When using any spam software or filtering system, also make a point of reviewing your junk/trash folder before emptying it. Take a quick peek to see if any email is, in fact, from folks you know or recognize who didn’t follow the guidelines above.
Many email mistakes stem from assumptions people make about technology, security, and communication. Changing these habits requires a shift in mindset from convenience-based thinking to…
