Introduction

We have all been there. You spend hours crafting what you think is the perfect email, hit send, and then… nothing. No opens. No clicks. No replies. Just silence. It is frustrating, especially when you know you have something valuable to share.

The good news? There are simple and effective ways to make your emails not just land in inboxes but get opened and read. Whether you are a small business owner, a freelancer, or part of a large marketing team, these five tips will help you connect with your audience in a more personal, impactful way. Let's dive in.

Write Subject Lines That Spark Curiosity

Your subject line is like a movie trailer. It gives people a sneak peek into what is inside the email. And just like a good trailer makes you want to watch the movie, a good subject line makes people want to open your email.

The key is to spark curiosity without being misled. Think about what would make you click when you scan your inbox. Is it an intriguing question? A bold claim? Or maybe a teaser that promises a benefit?

For example, instead of writing a generic subject line like “Our Monthly Newsletter,” try something more specific and interesting like “The One Tip That Doubled Our Sales Last Month.” It is specific, it grabs attention, and it makes the reader wonder what the tip is.

Let me share a real-life example. A local gym once sent out an email with the subject line “How Sarah Lost 15 Pounds Without Giving Up Chocolate.” The open rate for that email? Over 45 percent. Why? Because it is relatable, intriguing, and hints at a success story that people want to know about.

What to avoid:

• Clickbait: Subject lines that promise something too good to be true or do not deliver end up frustrating your audience and damaging trust.

• All capital letters or excessive punctuation: “OPEN THIS NOW!!!” looks spammy and annoying.

• Overly sales-focused language: People can spot a hard sell a mile away and often skip those emails.

Tips for crafting great subject lines:

• Keep it short and sweet, ideally under 50 characters, so it displays fully on mobile devices.

• Use numbers, questions, or personalized elements like a first name to draw attention.

• Test different styles to see what resonates best with your audience. Sometimes simple curiosity works best; other times urgency or exclusivity will get higher opens

Start With a Strong Opening Line

So, your reader has clicked on your email. Great. Now what? You need a first line that hooks them in and encourages them to keep reading.

Your opening line should be personal, engaging, or surprising. One trick is to start with a question or a bold statement.

For example:

• “What if I told you one small change could double your productivity?”

• “You will not believe what happened when we stopped sending discounts.”

These lines spark curiosity and set a conversational tone. They invite readers to keep finding out the answer or story behind the statement.

Make it feel personal

Try to make it feel like a one-on-one conversation, not a corporate announcement. People want to feel like you are talking to them, not at them. Use the word “you” often to create that connection.

For instance, a marketing coach once started her emails with:

“Let us skip the small talk, here is what you really need to know about getting more clients.”

It felt fresh, direct, and honest — and her audience loved it.

Avoid dull or generic openings like:

• “Welcome to our newsletter.”

• “We are excited to share our latest updates.”

Instead, think about how you would start a conversation with a friend or colleague. Keep it warm, casual, and relevant to the reader’s interests.

Make It About Them, Not You

Here is a hard truth: People do not really care about your company; they care about what your company can do for them.

So instead of listing your achievements or telling readers how great you are, focus on their problems and how you can help solve them.

For example, instead of saying,

“We are the top-rated accounting firm in the city.”

try saying,

“We help small business owners save time and avoid tax stress.”

See the difference? The second version speaks directly to the reader’s needs and concerns.

Use the word “you” more than “we” or “I.”

A quick test: scan your email and count how many times you say “you” versus “we.” The more you focus on the reader, the more engaged they will be.

Here is another example:

A pet grooming business changed their email copy from:

“We have been grooming dogs for ten years” to

“Your pup deserves to look and feel their best without the stress of a long salon visit.”

Result? Their open and click rates went up by thirty percent.

Speak to emotions and benefits

People respond to how your product or service makes their life easier, better, or happier. Highlight benefits rather than features.

For instance, do not just say,

“Our blender has five speed settings.”

Say,

“Make your favorite smoothies perfectly smooth every time; no lumps, no fuss.”

Keep It Short and Easy to Read

People are busy. They check emails between meetings, while waiting in line, or during lunch breaks. If your email looks like a wall of text, chances are they will skip it.

Use short paragraphs, bullet points, and white space.

Break up your content into bite-sized chunks that are easy on the eyes. Bullets or numbered lists make scanning simple and keep readers engaged.

Follow this simple rule:

If it takes more than thirty seconds to read, it is probably too long.

Use simple language

There is no need to impress with fancy words or technical jargon. If a seventh grader can understand your email, you are doing it right.

Highlight important points with formatting

Use bold or italics to draw attention to key phrases or calls to action, but do not overdo it. Too much styling can look cluttered and reduce readability.

End With a Clear Call to Action

Every email should have a purpose. Do you want the reader to click on a link, sign up for something, make a purchase, or reply? Tell them exactly what to do next.

Your call to action should be clear, specific, and easy to find.

Use action words like:

• “Download your free guide”

• “Book your consultation now”

• “Reply with your biggest challenge”

Place your call to action near the end of the email, but you can also include it earlier if it fits natural.

Avoid confusing your readers with too many choices

One email, one main action. If you ask for too many things, people will freeze and do nothing.

Example:

A business coach ended her emails with:

“Hit reply and tell me about your biggest struggle with finding clients.”

This simple request led to dozens of meaningful conversations and new coaching clients.

Test different calls to action

Sometimes a small change can make a big difference. For example, switching from “Learn More” to “Get Your Free Sample” can boost click-through rates significantly.

Final Thoughts

Email marketing is not about being perfect. It is about being human.

People open and read emails that feel personal, helpful, and easy to digest. By writing great subject lines, starting strong, focusing on the reader, keeping things short, and ending with a clear ask, you can dramatically improve your email performance.

Remember, the goal is not just to get clicks; it is to build relationships. And the best way to do that is to write emails that feel like they are coming from a real person who understands their needs.

So next time you are about to hit send, ask yourself:

Would I open and read this email?

If the answer is yes, you are on the right track.

Want to see how powerful your emails can be? Start putting these tips into practice today and if you need help refining your email strategy, reach out for a free review or grab our Email Optimization Checklist to make sure you are on point.