Answering one email marketing question in three minutes or less.
Win the Inbox Podcast
Claim This Podcastby Phil Hollows
10 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
Podcast Overview
Answering one email marketing question in three minutes or less.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
1/16/2020
4 verified contact emails on file for Win the Inbox Podcast
Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.
Recent Episodes
March 18, 2020
Win the Inbox: Subject Lines Dos and Don’ts Part 3
How to Write Better Subject Lines for Better Open Rates As I’ve mentioned before in other Win the Inbox episodes, maintaining open rates is essential. But what if your open rate is stuck? Even if you’re around or beating industry averages, which are 20% or so, you know there are some lists that are absolutely crushing those numbers. How do they do it? Welcome to the third episode of Win the Inbox’s “Subject Line Series” – a five part exploration of the dos and don’ts of improving your open rate by crafting compelling email marketing subject lines. This is the final episode on subject line “Dos” – in part four I’ll cover the flip side: subject line “Don’ts.” Everything I cover is available at FeedBlitz.com/WinTheInbox for you to read in the transcript. Hi, I’m Phil Hollows, CEO of email service provider FeedBlitz.com, and the host of “Win the Inbox” where I cover one email marketing question in three minutes or less. The key to getting your emails opened is hooking the reader, and then giving them every reason to read more. Do be direct. Use simple, imperative verbs. Tell the reader what you want them to do. You can even ask them to open the email, such as: “Expires Sunday: Open for the best deal of the year” Do use the word “free” if it’s true, and the core point of the message. Like using CAPS LOCKs and emojis, “Free” is not an automatic trip to the spam folder. It’s safe to use, albeit sparingly. Talking of free, this is a great time to remind you to not be all sales, all the time. Mix your mailings up with ones that are about something other than the next deal you’re pitching, else you’ll quickly induce subscriber fatigue and your open rates will fall. Do recognize that people are lazy and greedy. We want the quick fix, we want it now, and we don’t want to pay for it. Use that that less than noble side of human psychology to get your emails read. Do use humor and the absurd to draw the reader in. “5 customer service lessons my dog taught me you can use today” – well ok, that I’ll read! “We're on the edge of our seats!” is a fun shopping cart abandonment topic. Obviously, be careful about your tone, your audience and your timing. Humor has its risks. Do dare to compare. Can you help your reader beat the industry leader? The clock? The tax man? Someone younger, richer, or smarter? Find a comparison that resonates with your audience and build a subject line around it. Do use authority. For example, if you’re a New York Times bestseller – or even referencing one – use that as proof. Bear in mind, though, that a lot of spam email uses fake calls to authority in their subject lines and copy, so make sure you’re being relevant, truthful and accurate. Do use different approaches for different kinds of emails. Emails intended to generate sales should have short, focused subject lines. For a newsletter, or similar content marketing, where you’re working to build trust, authority and educate, you can afford longer subject lines. Say you’re following up with people who registered for a webcast, but didn’t show. Send the “sorry we missed you” email as soon as the webcast wraps up, and you can cross-reference the attendee list. For those who did attend, “Next steps” is a great way to start your follow-up sequence, which you’re also going to send ASAP. Do combine multiple techniques in a single subject line. “Sorry we missed you” is ok. “Phil, here’s your webcast transcript” sent promptly combines personalization, timeliness, and states there’s something of value that can only be accessed by opening the email. Finally, remember that in most email ...
March 11, 2020
Win the Inbox: Subject Lines Dos and Don’ts Part 2
How to Write Better Subject Lines for Better Open Rates As I’ve mentioned before in other Win the Inbox episodes, maintaining open rates is essential. But what if your open rate is stuck? Even if you’re around or beating industry averages, which are 20% or so, you know there are some lists that are absolutely crushing those numbers. How do they do it? Welcome to the second episode of Win the Inbox’s “Subject Line Series” – a five part exploration of the dos and don’ts of improving your open rate by crafting compelling email marketing subjects lines. Why? Because the key to getting that all-important open is the subject line. The show transcript includes everything I cover here, and you can find it all at FeedBlitz.com/WinTheInbox Hi, I’m Phil Hollows, CEO of email service provider FeedBlitz.com, and this is “Win the Inbox” where I cover one email marketing question in about three minutes or less. Before I dive in, remember to make the email – and so the subject line – about the recipient, not about you. You need to connect with the reader, and then deliver what you promise in the email itself. A snappy subject line is worth nothing if the recipient feels disappointed once they open the email itself. So: Do be human. Sometimes an authentic “I need your help” or an earnest apology can work wonders. For example, one of my best mailings had the subject line of “Well, this is awkward” – which I sent ten minutes after accidentally mailing the entire company’s list with a test email which had the potential to be badly misinterpreted. Do emphasize time, deadlines and urgency. Fear of missing out can be extremely powerful, especially if you can get the reader to think that everyone else is getting in on the act. So talk about things that are available, starting or ending. Now, today, midnight or 8 o'clock. Add proof if you have it (fifty tickets already sold!). Finally, if you have genuine scarcity – only three left! – then use that, too. In the same vein, countdowns also work very well. Do make the reader feel special. Can they beat the rush, get advanced access, a privilege, a custom discount, be the first to know, or even the only? Subject lines like these are proven winners, especially when used with targeting to pick out your best customers. Do have fun! It’s important to be predictable – there’s a “Win the Inbox” episode about email timing, I’ll link to it in the show notes – but being predictable doesn’t mean being boring. One of my favorite client campaigns was a countdown for a sale. What made it fun was that each day the list owner put the number of days to go in a different language. Not only did that make me aware of the date, I found myself anticipating the next email – what language was going to be next? And to find out which language it was, I had to open the next email. Brilliant. Do use CAPS and emojis. They can help you stand out in a crowded inbox. They can also be wearing and make subject lines harder to read, so for most email marketers my advice is to use them sparingly. That way they have much greater IMPACT when you do use them. That said, emojis in particular can be powerful when used in pre-headers. Do use numbers – even if you hate math! Numbers, combined with lists and “how-tos” are classics, because they are short (the numeral “7” is one character, whereas the word “seven” is five), speak to growth goals and often to personal empowerment. For example: “9 common copywriting mistakes you can fix right now” is a great subject line. Remember, keeping subject lines short and sweet is essential, so using numerals instead of words is a great technique. And that’s a wrap for part two of the “Subject ...
March 4, 2020
Win the Inbox: Subject Lines Dos and Don’ts Part 1
How to Write Better Subject Lines for Better Open Rates As I’ve mentioned before in other Win the Inbox episodes, maintaining open rates is essential. But what if your open rate is stuck? Even if you’re around or beating industry averages, which are 20% or so, you know there are some lists that are absolutely crushing those numbers. How do they do it? The key to getting that all-important open is, of course, the subject line. But because there is so much to cover on subject lines alone, I can’t possibly get it all done in my promised three minutes or less. So to make it all work, the next FIVE Win the inbox episodes are devoted to subject line dos and don’ts, and that includes the subject line’s important companion, the preview, or preheader, text. So, welcome to this episode, part one of five of the “Subject Line Series” – and the first of three parts on the DOs of writing compelling subject lines that get your emails read. I’m Phil Hollows, CEO of email service provider FeedBlitz.com, and this is “Win the Inbox” where I cover one email marketing question in three minutes or less. Usually. Before I get into these “subject line hacks” I must make this point: None of these tips matter if you make the topic about you, and not the recipient. Once more for the people in the back: Make your subject line about the reader, and her needs. Start from there first. So the very first tip is this: Do connect with the reader. People are complicated, and what resonates will vary. But every one of us has fears, pain, desires, aspirations, our sense of self-worth – and our insecurities too. We all have the things that make us feel empowered, and the things we run away from. Positive, uplifting email subject lines that speak to growth and success work very well; but sometimes exciting the darker side of your audience can also be remarkably effective, especially if it’s a little out of character with the rest of your mailstream. Whatever you do, you have to pull the reader in, and quickly. Do be authentic. If the subject line doesn’t fit you, it won’t fit your audience. Do be relevant, and truthful. Don’t waste the trust you’ve built. You need sustained open rates time after time. A deceptive one-off may get you instant gratification, but won’t cut it in the long run. Do be brief. Only the first five words or so, or about 50 characters, can fit on a phone’s screen. It’s ok to go longer for other email apps, but it’s important to make your point early. Try to cut your subject line down to just one or two words – it’s a great exercise, and very effective if you can pull it off. Do ask rhetorical questions. It creates intrigue, stimulates thought, and stokes curiosity. But be sure to ask open ended, and not yes / no, questions, because if the reader mentally replies “no” then they’ll never open your mail. Do mention keywords that click with your list: Examples include store names, brands, hot industry topics, personalities, dates and holidays. For example, “Black Friday” is a great keyword to use. Add in “Walmart” or “Target”? Boom! If your keyword speaks both to those who are hopeful and those to who are fearful, so much the better. For example, for NFL fans, “Read Why Tom Brady’s Career Is Over” speaks to New England Patriots supporters’ fears, and everyone else’s not-so-secret hopes. As a subject line, it covers both sides of the emotional coin, no matter which team the subscriber supports. It’s a win. Do personalize, especially on transactional and targeted emails. Think beyond the recipient’s first name here. For example, if you’re selling oil changes, mention my car’s make and model year, and the last ...
10 total episodes available
Deep-dive analytics for Win the Inbox Podcast
Frequently asked questions
Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
- What is Win the Inbox Podcast?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
No, this podcast does not typically feature guests.
Legal Disclaimer
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.