From Drab to Fab: 10 ways to turn Boring Emails into Engaging Reads

“We’ve told you this before Phyliss! No one will open it if you keep using those AWFUL subject lines “
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Do you know what’s worse than a boring email? A boring email that nobody even bothers to open or respond to.
Are you fed up with sending mundane email messages that receive only minimal attention? or do the sounds of crickets every time you hit “send” on a new campaign seem unimportant?
Fear not! we’ve got ten tips to turn your drab emails into fabulously engaging reads.
No more snooze-worthy subject lines or generic copy that puts people to sleep.
We’re talking about providing valuable and relevant content that speaks directly to your reader’s needs, interests, and pain points.
And delivering the right message, at the right time, in the right way, to keep them on their toes and begging for more.
So buckle up, grab a cup of coffee (or something stronger), because we’re about to add some serious pizzazz to your inbox.
1: Make your subject line killer AF
Your readers are bombarded with emails all day, every day. Stand out from the crowd by crafting subject lines that are funny, witty, and downright irresistible.
Don’t be afraid to get a little edgy too ( you know you want to 😉) – just make sure it’s on-brand.
Let’s not even get started on this vague nonsense either. Make it crystal clear what’s inside your email to give your readers a reason to open it. They will not bother if there is no incentive to do so.
Related Blog – Your Subject Line Matters: How to pick a subject line that gets the open
2: Shake it up, shake it up
If your emails aren’t working, it’s time to shake things up and experiment with something new!
Unleash your secret weapon for maximum engagement: A/B testing.
Don’t be a standard email sender. Instead, get creative and experiment with different strategies to find out what really clicks with your audience.
Mix it up with different subject lines, send times, and content, and who knows? You might just be surprised by what works and what doesn’t. So go forth and test away!
3: Offer exclusive deals and discounts
If you really want to make your subscribers feel like VIPs, offer them special deals and discounts. Channel your inner Oprah like she’s giving away free cars- but without the actual cars.
Special offers and exclusive content will make your subscribers feel valued and keep them engaged.
4: Cut the fluff, and get straight to the good stuffÂ
 If you’re still using long, condensed text, you might as well just hit delete on your entire email list.Â
No
one
wants
to
read
a wall of text.
Ain’t nobody got time for that.
If you can’t get your point across in a few bites, then you’re doing it wrong. Keep your content short, punchy, and to the point, or risk getting sent straight to the spam folder.Â
5: Get personal, baby!
No, we’re not talking about that kind of personal (get your mind out of the gutter).
We’re talking about tailoring your content to the interests and needs of your subscribers.
Show them that you care about them as individuals, not just as numbers on a list.
And don’t be afraid to get a little vulnerable. Share personal stories, struggles, and triumphs that will resonate with your audience and make them feel like they’re part of the club.
Read all about Segmentation: The key to Mailchimp Success
6: Spice up your emails to entertain
Remember that massive text wall we mentioned earlier?
Now go break it up with visuals such as images or videos. Make your email easy to read and engaging for your subscribers.
And don’t be a snooze-fest. Make your subscribers want to open your emails by spicing things up with some humour or pop culture references.
Bust out your wit and clever puns and watch those open rates soar. Your subscribers will be like, “Damn, this email is great!” and you’ll be like, “I know, I’m a bloody genius.”
Emojis can transform your emails from boring to bombshell 💃 in seconds. Use them to express emotion, emphasise points, and make your emails feel more like a conversation with a friend.
Begin using GIFS. Images are great, but GIFs? well they’re kinda like emojis on steroids. Use them to inject some levity, show how you’re feeling, or simply to keep things interesting. Your readers will appreciate it, believe me.
Just make sure they’re appropriate for your audience and brand.
7: Don’t sound like you’re stuck in the stone age
Let’s get real for a second. Your email copy should sound as if you’re speaking to a friend and NOT your nan. Unless your nan is a sassy millennial with a soft spot for memes –Â in which case, crack on.
If you want to build a meaningful connection with your subscribers and keep them interested, you need to get down on their level. Speak their language if necessary; incorporate some slang if appropriate; and inject personality into your words like it’s a party in your inbox!
Don’t be afraid to be yourself either. Your subscribers will appreciate the authenticity and keep coming back for more.
Oh, and Nobody cares whether or not you use the Oxford comma (sorry, grammar police!). What they want is to be entertained, engaged, and informed.
Believe us, the best brands can accomplish all three objectives in the same email with ease.
Craft copy that converts by reading 6 copywriting tips to take your emails to the next level.
8: I like Big Butt(on)s and I cannot lie
Your call to action button should be bigger than a Kardashian’s ego. If your readers have to squint to find it, you’re doing it wrong. Make it stand out, make it impossible to miss, and watch your conversions skyrocket.
A well-designed call to action button? Now you’re talking!
It’s all about the wording so let’s forget about the standard “Buy now,” “Sign me up,” and “Get on board”..
They are dated.
It’s the year 2023, people. Make your button’s text as creative as possible. How about a little more “Let’s do this,” “I’m in,” and “Give me the goods” to give that button some personality?
If you’re more serious, keep it professional but make sure you pack a punch.
Make that button a statement piece that your subscribers can’t help but click. It’s TRULY worth the effort.
9: Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback
Your readers are your tribe, so find out what they want, what they really, really want…
Use their feedback to tailor your content, and watch as your subscribers flock to your emails like groupies to a rock star.
10: Be consistent.
Listen, you can’t just ghost your subscribers like a bad Tinder date and expect them to still be interested when you finally decide to grace them with your presence.
If you want to keep them hooked, you’ve got to be consistent and send your emails regularly, whether weekly, biweekly, or monthly stick to a routine.
Demonstrate to your readers that you’re a dependable email superstar who’s worth their time.
Keep them on the edge of their seats, wanting more.
That, my friends, is how you build a large, strong, and loyal following.
Final Thoughts
There you have it – 10 ways to engage your readers and make them fall in love with your emails all over again.
So say goodbye to boring emails that go unnoticed and hello to emails that your readers can’t wait to open.
By crafting killer subject lines, experimenting with new strategies, offering exclusive deals, keeping your content concise, tailoring your messages to your audience, using visuals and humour, and injecting personality into your copy, you’ll be well on your way to achieving maximum engagement.
Now go forth and conquer your email game like never before and watch those email opens and clicks soar.
Related Blog: The 5 ‘T’s of Email Marketing Success
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Liz Seymour
Cheesy as it sounds, Liz is the biz when it comes to Marketing. She's worked in Marketing for around 20 years when she went to uni and studied Multimedia Technology…That's where her love affair for all things Marketing began. Since then she has worked for household names such as Wickes, The Rank Group, Nuffield Health, Snappy Snaps and Marriot. Not to mention a great variety of B2B and B2c businesses and agencies.
Here at Chimp Answers she deals with all things Marketing focusing on the Content and Copywriting side of things such as Blog posts, Emails and landing pages. Liz is Certified in Direct-Response Copywriting, Google Digital Marketing Fundamentals,Hubspot Inbound Marketing,Hubspot Social Media and of course, Mailchimp Foundations.
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