Email Marketing: Strategies for Higher Open Rates

Email marketing isn't dead, but it's definitely not what it used to be. With inboxes more crowded than ever and spam filters getting smarter, getting your emails opened requires more strategy than just hitting "send" to your entire list.

After managing email campaigns for businesses across different industries, I've learned that the companies with consistently high open rates aren't doing anything revolutionary – they're just doing the basics really, really well.

Your Subject Line is Make or Break

The subject line is the first thing people see, and often the only thing they see before deciding whether to open your email. Yet most businesses treat subject lines as an afterthought, writing generic headlines that blend into the inbox noise.

The best subject lines I've tested feel personal and specific. Instead of "March Newsletter," try "The mistake that cost me $5,000 (and how you can avoid it)." Instead of "New Products Available," try "Three new arrivals that sold out last time."

Timing Isn't Universal

Everyone wants to know the "best time" to send emails, but the truth is that it depends entirely on your audience. B2B emails often perform better on weekdays during business hours, while consumer brands might see better results on evenings and weekends.

The only way to find your optimal sending time is to test with your specific audience.