Improving your email read rate requires careful planning and execution of your email campaigns. Here are some strategies you can use to increase the chances that your emails will be read:
- Build a quality email list: A high-quality email list is crucial to improving your email read rate. Make sure your subscribers have opted in to receive your emails, and regularly remove inactive or invalid email addresses from your list. You can also segment your list based on factors like demographics or interests to send more targeted emails.
- Craft a compelling subject line: Your subject line is the first thing your recipient sees, so it’s important to make it attention-grabbing and informative. Avoid using vague or spammy language, and instead focus on a clear, concise message that accurately reflects the content of your email.
- Personalize your emails: Personalized emails can help improve your open and click-through rates. Use your recipient’s name in the greeting, and tailor the content of your email to their interests or previous interactions with your brand.
- Write engaging content: The content of your email should be engaging and informative. Use a conversational tone, and break up your text with subheadings, images, or bullet points to make it easier to read.
- Optimize for mobile: Many people check their email on mobile devices, so it’s important to make sure your emails are optimized for mobile. Use a responsive design that adjusts to different screen sizes, and keep your email copy short and to the point.
- Test and refine: Finally, be sure to test different aspects of your email campaigns to see what works best for your audience. Experiment with different subject lines, content, and timing, and use analytics tools to track your open and click-through rates so you can refine your approach over time.
Use professional email
That said, some studies have suggested that professional emails may have a slightly higher open and read rate than free emails, as they are often sent from a business or organization and are therefore perceived as more important or relevant by the recipient.
For example, a 2018 study by HubSpot found that the average open rate for professional emails was around 28%, while the open rate for free emails was closer to 22%.