And as a comment on Bruce's input, if you have a large list that you mail to on a regular basis there is no way that everyone on your list is going to be interested in what you have to say today, but they may be interested in what you have to say tomorrow.

The bottom line is that if you are sending your emails with honesty and integrity and with the best interest of your audience in mind then your message is going to be received by those who are ready to receive it.

And as a comment on Bruce's input, if you have a large list that you mail to on a regular basis there is no way that everyone on your list is going to be interested in what you have to say today, but they may be interested in what you have to say tomorrow.

The bottom line is that if you are sending your emails with honesty and integrity and with the best interest of your audience in mind then your message is going to be received by those who are ready to receive it.

One reason for not opening a message headlined "Valentine's Day Salon and Spa Specials!" might be that I'm not in the market for such an offering. So does getting me to open the email by having a different subject line represent improvement?

One common element in the "best" list is that they probably are being sent to a pre-qualified (and perhaps self-selected) recipient list that's likely to be interested in the content. One common element in the "worst" list is that they tell what the subject is, so anyone not interested can skip opening them.

Maybe the open rate has less to do with the subject line and more to do with the interest the recipient has in that subject?

Point is, sending email to recipients who are not interested in the content is pure spam! Don't focus on dressing up spam with sweet subject lines, focus on qualifying the addressees so the folks receiving it want it.

One reason for not opening a message headlined "Valentine's Day Salon and Spa Specials!" might be that I'm not in the market for such an offering. So does getting me to open the email by having a different subject line represent improvement?

One common element in the "best" list is that they probably are being sent to a pre-qualified (and perhaps self-selected) recipient list that's likely to be interested in the content. One common element in the "worst" list is that they tell what the subject is, so anyone not interested can skip opening them.

Maybe the open rate has less to do with the subject line and more to do with the interest the recipient has in that subject?

Point is, sending email to recipients who are not interested in the content is pure spam! Don't focus on dressing up spam with sweet subject lines, focus on qualifying the addressees so the folks receiving it want it.

thanks for the great follow up. By the way, when are you going to offer one of your working lunch seminars by teleconference? (hint, hint)

Peace in your week,
Tara

thanks for the great follow up. By the way, when are you going to offer one of your working lunch seminars by teleconference? (hint, hint)

Peace in your week,
Tara