How to Increase Email Open Rates (Tested Ways)

Boosting your email open rates can feel like a puzzle. But with the right moves, it's a puzzle you can solve. Picture this: a world where your email marketing efforts don't just vanish into the digital ether.

Instead, they land with impact, engaging your audience right from their inbox. According to a research by HubSpot 20.94% is recognized as an average good email open rate, achieving this benchmark isn't merely aspirational—it's a tangible milestone on the journey to mastering your email marketing strategy.

Crafting email marketing campaigns, sending out mass emails are effective only if they get open. With the vast sea of emails flooding inboxes daily, standing out is the key.

In this article we will discussed how to increase email open rates and share insights, few tips and strategies that are both practical and impactful for Email Marketing Campaigns.

What Do You Mean By Email Open Rate?

Email open rate is a metric that measures the percentage of recipients who open an email compared to the total number of emails sent.

This figure is crucial for assessing the effectiveness of email marketing campaigns, serving as a direct indicator of how well your subject lines and overall email marketing strategy resonate with your audience.

A higher email open rate also signifies that your emails are relevant and engaging to your subscribers, prompting them to want to learn more about what you have to offer. Understanding and optimizing your email open rates can lead to improved engagement, stronger customer relationships, and ultimately, better conversion rates for your business.

How to Calculate Email Open Rates?

It's pretty straightforward! Imagine you send out a batch of emails. Not all will reach inboxes due to bounces (undeliverable addresses). So, the average email open rate is calculated by dividing the number of people who actually open your email by the total number of emails delivered, then multiplying by 100 to express it as a percentage.

For example, if you send 1,000 emails and 50 bounce, you have 950 delivered emails. If 200 of those are opened, your open rate is (200 divided by 950) x 100 = 21.05%.

This lets you know how effectively your subject lines and preheaders are enticing recipients to click "open."

Don't forget, a healthy click-through rate (the percentage of those who open and click through ratea link) is another important metric to track alongside open rates!

Average Email Open Rates by Industry

  • The Real Estate industry sees an average email open rate of 41.6%.

  • Finance industry emails typically have an open rate of 41.4%.

  • Health and Fitness emails enjoy an open rate of 41.2% on average.

  • The Manufacturing sector reports an average open rate of 41.1% for its emails.

  • Media-related emails have an open rate averaging 40.7%.

  • Retail industry emails are opened at a rate of 40.6%.

  • Computers and Electronics emails have a 40.0% open rate.

  • Beauty and Personal Care industry emails achieve a 39.9% open rate.

  • Architecture emails see an average open rate of 39.8%, similar to Software and Web App emails at 39.8%.

  • Insurance and Legal industries both report an average email open rate of 39.3%.

  • Telecommunications industry emails are opened at a rate of 39.1%.

  • Marketing and Advertising emails have an open rate of 38.3%.

  • Consulting services emails are opened at a rate of 36.9%.

  • Business and Finance emails have an average open rate of 36.5%.

  • The "Other" category, a catch-all for industries not listed separately, sees an open rate of 36.3%.

  • Educational Institutions have an email open rate of 35.4%.

  • Construction industry emails are opened at a rate of 33.9%.

  • Online Courses and Coaching emails have an open rate of 33.8%.

  • Information Technology (IT) industry emails have the lowest average open rate at 33.5%.

15 Most Effective Strategies to Increase Email Open Rates

1. Create an Organic Email List

Creating an organic email list for your email marketing efforts is akin to building a friendship circle from scratch. You aim to invite email recipients who are genuinely interested in what you have to share, right? It's all about attracting subscribers to your subscriber list who willingly sign up because they're intrigued by your content, products, or services.

This strategy isn't about buying lists or adding random emails to your contact list. Think of it as growing a garden; you plant the seeds (enticing sign-up offers), nurture them (with engaging content), and watch them grow (into loyal subscribers on your email list).

Why does this matter? Well, an organic list means higher engagement rates. People who choose to be there, real persons with genuine interest, are more likely to open, read, and act on your emails.

So, how do you build this list for your email marketing? Start with something simple like a sign-up form on your website. Make it visible but not intrusive. Offer something valuable in return for their email, maybe an exclusive guide, a discount, or insider tips. Remember, the goal is to make people want to join your subscriber list because they're excited about what you offer, not because they were tricked into it.

2. Use Double Opt-In

Using double opt-in in your email marketing strategy is like asking for a firm handshake before starting a conversation. It's a two-step process where potential new subscribers first sign up, usually through a form, and then confirm their subscription by clicking a link in a confirmation email.

This method ensures that the people on your email list genuinely want to receive your email messages, making them more likely to open and engage with your content.

Well, MailChimp's study of 30,000 users revealed some compelling numbers: double opt-in lists saw a 72.2% increase in unique opens and a 75.6% increase in total opens compared to single opt-in lists. These statistics highlight the quality of engagement you can expect from a list built on mutual interest and confirmed consent.

Implementing double opt-in might seem like an extra step to email marketing success, but it's about building a foundation of trust. When subscribers confirm their interest, they're essentially telling you they value what you have to say, leading to higher open rates for your email campaigns and a more engaged audience overall. Plus, this method helps keep your list clean, reducing the chances of spam complaints and bounces from incorrect email addresses.

3. Segmenting Your Email List

Segmenting your list transforms how you send emails, organizing your contacts into distinct groups based on their preferences, behaviors, and interactions with your brand. This strategy enhances your email campaigns, making your messages more relevant and personal to your email subscribers.

Segmented campaigns not only entice subscribers by catering to their specific interests but also significantly boost engagement and conversion and improve email open rates These campaigns see a 14.31% higher open rate and a 100.95% increase in click rates compared to non-segmented ones. Moreover, segmented, targeted, and personalized emails are crucial for your sender reputation, generating 58% of all email marketing revenue.

Why does segmentation lead to such impressive results? It boils down to relevance. Tailoring your email campaigns to meet the unique needs of each group ensures that your content resonates. Whether it’s a humorous email that lightens their day or a targeted offer that speaks to their past purchases, segmentation means your communication is always on point.

By focusing on what truly matters to each segment, you're not just sending emails; you're engaging in meaningful conversations that enhance your sender reputation and deepen the connection with your audience.

4. Personalized Subject Lines

Personalized subject lines act like a direct callout in a crowded room, instantly capturing attention. This strategy is a cornerstone of a successful email marketing campaign, turning a standard message into a personal touchpoint. The power of a personalized email subject line lies in its ability to make each email recipient feel the message was crafted specifically for them, elevating a generic email to a personal conversation starter.

Statistics show that personalized subject lines can double email open rates, underscoring their significant impact on the success of email marketing campaigns. By weaving elements such as the recipient's name, past interactions, or other personalized details into your subject lines, you're not merely sending an email; you're delivering content that strikes a personal chord.

In a digital environment where email subscribers receive numerous messages daily, a personalized subject line, perhaps featuring a recognizable sender name, slices through the inbox clutter. It signals that the email's content is curated with the recipient's interests and needs in mind.

Incorporating personalized subject lines, or crafting the perfect subject line, into your email marketing campaign is a direct path to heightened engagement. It fosters stronger connections with your audience and drives superior results from your email efforts.

For example, instead of a generic "Our Weekly Newsletter," a personalized subject line could be "John, Your Weekly Tech Update Awaits!" This approach not only uses the recipient's name but also hints at content tailored to their known interests, making the email an irresistible open.

5. Avoid Spam Filters

Think of spam filters as the bouncers of the email marketing world. They're there to keep unwanted spam emails out. But sometimes, even the emails you want for your email campaign get caught. The trick to ensuring email deliverability? It's all about playing by the rules and making your emails friendly and genuine.

First up, keep your language clean and straightforward in your email campaign. Words that scream "sale" or "free" can trigger alarms. Next, make sure your email list is squeaky clean. Sending emails to people who actually want to hear from you boosts your email open rates.

And don't forget to personalize your emails, including using the recipient's name in the preview text. A message that feels like it's coming from a real person is less likely to be seen as spam, especially by mobile users who often rely on the sender name in the preview text to decide whether to open an email.

6. Use A/B Testing

Imagine you're trying to decide between two subject lines for your next email campaign. How do you choose? A/B testing is like asking a friend for their opinion. You have two versions of an email, and you're not sure which one will lead to a better email open rate.

So, you send emails of version A to half of your list and version B to the other half. Then, you observe. Which email gets more opens? Which one drives more clicks from mobile users? This isn't about guessing; it's about using real feedback from your subscribers to improve your email marketing strategy. It's a methodical approach that allows you to make informed decisions rather than relying on intuition alone.

Email marketers use A/B testing to refine, tweak, and enhance their emails based on what truly engages their audience. By systematically testing different elements, from subject lines to call-to-action buttons, you can discover the most effective ways to connect with your subscribers and achieve your campaign goals.

7. Personalize Your Emails

Imagine walking into your favorite coffee shop and the barista knows your order by heart. That's the kind of feeling you want to recreate with personalized emails in your email campaign. It's about making each of your subscribers feel like you're talking directly to them, not just blasting out a one-size-fits-all message.

Personalization can be as simple as using their name in the greeting or as detailed as tailoring the content based on their past interactions with your brand, ensuring your marketing emails hit the right note.

For example, let's say you run an online bookstore. You could send a marketing email to Emma, who recently browsed the mystery section, with an email subject like, "Emma, uncover our top mystery picks just for you!" This shows Emma you're paying attention and makes her more likely to open the email because you've hit on her specific interest, effectively targeting your target audience.

8. Clean Up Your Email List Regularly

Cleaning email list for your email campaign is like a garden; it needs regular tending to thrive. Cleaning up your list means removing those subscribers who haven't engaged with your marketing emails in a while.

Why? Because sending emails to people who aren't interested can hurt your overall engagement rates and even your sender reputation. Think of it as decluttering your closet. You're making room for clothes (or in this case, subscribers) that truly fit and add value to your life.

Cleaning up doesn't have to be a chore. Start by segmenting your list based on engagement levels, then send a "We miss you" email to those who haven't opened an email in months. If they don't respond, it might be time to say goodbye.

This way, you ensure your marketing emails land in the inboxes of people who are genuinely interested in hearing from you, making your email marketing efforts more effective and ensuring more subscribers open your emails, keeping your garden of subscribers lush and vibrant.

9. Optimized For Mobile

Our mobile devices are practically glued to our hands. So, if your emails look wonky on a smartphone screen, you're missing out big time. Optimizing for mobile is like making sure your party invitation fits in the mailbox.

If it doesn't, how will your friends know to show up? By ensuring your emails are mobile-friendly, you're essentially rolling out the red carpet for a wider audience to increase your email open rates.

What does optimizing for mobile look like? It means big, finger-friendly buttons, readable fonts without squinting, and layouts that don't go haywire on a smaller screen.

Remember, if subscribers have to pinch and zoom to read your email, you've already lost half the battle. Making your emails easy to navigate on mobile devices can make a huge difference in how subscribers respond to your messages.

10. Send at the Optimal Time

Timing is everything, isn't it? Just like you wouldn't call your friend at 3 AM to chat about the weather, sending your emails at the wrong time can mean they get lost in the abyss of the inbox.

Finding that sweet spot when your subscribers are most likely to engage can significantly increase email open rates. It's like knowing exactly when to pop the popcorn so it's ready right as the movie starts.

But when is the optimal time? Well, it can vary. Some swear by early mornings when people are sipping their first cup of coffee. Others find lunch breaks or evening downtimes more effective. The key is to know your audience. Are they night owls or early birds?

Do they check their emails during their commute on their mobile devices? A/B testing different send times for mobile users can help you pinpoint when your subscribers are more likely to open and engage with your emails, making a huge difference in your campaign's success. Note that, the goal is to increase email open rates by showing up right when your subscribers are ready and willing to engage.

11. Craft Compelling Preview Text

Think of your email's preview text as the trailer for the latest blockbuster movie. It's that little snippet that can either draw a crowd or have them scrolling past.

Crafting compelling preview text is like whispering a secret hint about what's inside your email, making it irresistible not to open. This snippet works hand in hand with your email subject lines, setting the stage for what's to come.

When you're putting together your email template, remember that the preview text is your ally in boosting open rates. It's your chance to expand on the subject line, adding context or a teaser that makes the number of people who open your emails go up.

The trick? Keep it relevant and intriguing, ensuring it aligns with the content of your email. This way, you're not just sending out emails; you're sending out invitations to a conversation your subscribers want to be part of.

12. Use Emojis Wisely

Emojis play a pivotal role in your email marketing strategy too. Using emojis wisely in your email subject lines can be the sprinkle of magic that improves email open rates. Interestingly, 37.2% of email campaigns place emojis at the beginning of subject lines, capturing attention right off the bat. Meanwhile, 19.5% use them at the end as a final nudge, and 10.6% sprinkle them in the middle for a bit of surprise and delight.

They catch the eye, breaking up the monotony of text and making your email stand out in a crowded inbox. However, it's like seasoning your favorite dish – too little and it's bland, too much and it's overwhelming. The key is to choose emojis that complement your message, adding a touch of personality without distracting from the main event.

Email service providers are getting savvy to the emoji game, so make sure your chosen icons display correctly across different platforms. A well-placed smiley can make your relevant emails feel more personal, encouraging more of your subscribers to take a peek inside. Just remember, it's all about balance and relevance, ensuring every emoji you use helps tell the story of your email.

13. Deliver Valuable Content

Imagine you're a digital marketer with the secret sauce to your audience's burning questions. Delivering valuable content in the emails you send is like serving up a gourmet meal to a room full of hungry diners.

It's not just about filling the space between greetings and sign-offs; it's about providing something that your subscribers can sink their teeth into. Whether it's insider tips, how-to guides, or the latest industry trends, the content needs to resonate with their needs and interests.

Why does this matter? Because when subscribers find real value in your emails, they're more likely to engage, boosting your click-through rates and, by extension, your IP reputation. It's like getting an invite to the VIP section of their address book.

So, before hitting send, ask yourself, "Would I be excited to receive this email?" If the answer is a resounding "Yes," you're on the right track.

14. Re-engage Inactive Subscribers

Picture this: You're at a party, and you've lost touch with a friend who's drifted to the other side of the room. Re-engaging inactive subscribers is like finding a way to catch their eye and draw them back into the conversation. It's about reminding them why they joined your party in the first place.

Crafting a "We've missed you" email can be a great start. Highlight what they've missed, offer them something irresistible, or simply ask for feedback on why they've been silent. This approach shows you're not just a digital marketer looking to boost numbers; you're someone who values their presence in your email community.

Remember, a little humor and a lot of empathy can go a long way in warming up those cold contacts. And when they start engaging again, it's a win for your click-through rates and a testament to your commitment to keeping the conversation lively and relevant.

15. Celebrate Subscriber Milestones

Celebrating subscriber milestones is like throwing a mini-party in your email recipients' inboxes. It's a way to say, "Hey, we've been on this journey together for a while, and that's pretty awesome." Whether it's their one-year subscription anniversary, their 100th purchase, or any other significant milestone, acknowledging these moments can significantly increase your email open rates. Why? Because everyone loves a celebration, especially when it's personalized and recognizes their loyalty.

Imagine sending an email that says, "Happy One-Year Anniversary with Us! " and including a free ebook as a thank you gift. This not only delights your subscribers but also gives them a reason to engage with your email. It's a gesture that shows you're paying attention and value their continued interest in your brand.

Such emails are likely to stand out among the daily flood in email clients, making your subscribers feel special and appreciated. This approach not only fosters a stronger connection with your audience but also encourages them to keep an eye out for your emails, knowing that you might just surprise them with more than just the usual content.

Celebrating milestones is a win-win: your subscribers get a moment of recognition and a treat like a free ebook, and you get to enjoy higher engagement and loyalty.

Boost Your Email Open Rates with Venturz

Struggling with low email open rates? Venturz is your solution. Our email marketing tool simplifies campaign creation, enabling you to design and send emails that grab attention and get opened.

With our easy-to-use drag-and-drop email builder, creating engaging emails is quick and straightforward. Plus, Venturz goes beyond email, integrating SMS and social media to ensure your message reaches your audience everywhere.

Manage your email list effectively with Venturz, segmenting and nurturing leads to improve engagement. Our tracking feature provides valuable insights, helping you refine your strategy for even better open rates.

Try Venturz today and see your email open rates soar.

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