385 Emails Sent, 0 Opens...

There is no magic way, you just need to test and then test again until you find what works. Every list is different and something that works for someone might not work for someone else...

385 mails it's not a large number, i suggest you keep getting more.
The rate of opening should be 1-3%, but this i would starting from at least 1000.

Personally, I don't think the subject line is that important (although I know lots of others disagree). When I get emails, who the sender is is what determines whether I read it or not, I usually don't even read the subject line. If it is from someone who I know sends good emails (either informative, or helpful, or just entertaining), then I'll open it, and if not, then I won't. Think about your own emails that you get and you probably do the same.

So that means the way to get good open rates is to make your list think that you are someone whose emails are worth reading - actually provide value, inform and entertain, rather than just constantly pitching some offer. It'll set you out a mile from your competitors.

You just need to keep testing. Try free stuff, eye-catching subject lines.

The chances are since it was all single opt-ins, that most of them aren't expecting emails from you. In turn that leads to them not opening them when they do get them.

Like the Val has said, sometimes people only open/read emails from certain people.

The fact of the matter is that you can't know for sure
if someone has NOT opened your e-mails.

For example, I view my e-mails in either GMail or Outlook
and in both of those methods by default they are set up
not to display images.

The way that most opens are measured by autoresponders
is by a tracking image placed within a HTML e-mail.

So, even though I've opened many e-mails, the inaccurate
tracking of autoresponders puts me as having not opened
the message.

If your subscriber opens the plain text version of your e-mail
they'll not trigger as an open (unless they click a trackable
link).

It's likely that you'll end up sending e-mails to people who
have already opened your e-mail but just haven't triggered
as an open in the autoresponder software.

Are you sending out both HTML and Plain Text versions of
your e-mails?

Dedicated to mutual success,

Shaun

Have they ever opened an email from you?

It could be that your emails are ending up in the Spam box for those people.

It's about building that relationship early on with your list that counts. When you connect with them and they enjoy what you send them, they are more likely to open your emails on an ongoing basis.

Of course, the subject line is vital. It needs to sound intruiging... but also "true" to the context of your email. Never decieve them... that is the quickest way to lose trust and get an unsubsrcribe. Think about what your email is about or themed to and then think about what would strike interest with yourself if "YOU" received the email to your inbox.

Descriptive... to the point... intruiging and most importantly... "relevant".

Lots of other variables though so as others have said.. test, test, test.

Good luck.

Subject Line: Why Are you NOT opening my Emails?

Try to send from RDP with a unique IP.

They may need to be reminded of who you are and why they are receiving your emails in the first place.

Send an email relating to why they signed up. (ex. they signed up for a free traffic report, so send them an email showing them more ways to get free traffic).

Also depending on how many emails you send per month they may have determined that what you send them is useless to them and they are ignoring your emails.

Hey Princecapri,

0 opens out of 385..just seems absolutely bizarre.

I've never heard of such a thing.

I know a lot of people that sign up on lists, use accounts just for that purpose, so you can't expect opens from them, but 0 just seems weird.

Cleary, no one ever gets 100% opens... but my experience is about 25-60% depending on the headline, and the trust you've already garnered with your subsrcibers.

And I do think trust is significant. Make sure you don't just sell sell sell.

Send out useful, informative information regularly, sprinkled with the occasional free offer(possibly with an ad swap partner) sprinkled with the occassional paid offer. That should keep your readers with you. I've had virtually 0 unsubscribes with this method (aside from the people that unsubscribe as soon as they get their stuff.. (which the way I see it, doesn't really reflect on me, more upon peoples expectations, and past experiences with others.)

All the best..let us know how this works out for you.

I would wonder of they perceive your email as just a pitch to buy something..if so, many will hit delete until they get to know you a bit

I've only scanned the thread but why don't you post the headline you used. It's pretty likely it's the problem or at least a major part of the problem.

I usually start by deleting them.

Which headline bombed for the 385 broadcast? None of the headlines you listed are very exciting by the way and some of them are awful.

Looking at your schedule, it appears to me you are getting to your "hard promotion" way to soon in the schedule.

In fact, I'd never even think of any promotion as a "Hard Promotion" if I did, no doubt my email would end up way too salesy.

I'd suggest a much softer approach.. think of offering some friendly tips etc. and occassionaly a tip about something you want to promote..fut friendly, and casual, nonetheless.

Hey man just a little hint for you, people dont join lists to get slammed with offers. They join list because they want content that will benefit them and help them reach their goals.

I strongly suggest that you get yourself a good copywriting course - preferably something from John Carlton. Go to his site, join the membership - I think it's $1 for the first two weeks or so, not sure of the monthly fee.

You see, your market wants something. You job is to give it to them. But first, they have to perceive YOU as someone who can solve their problems.


In case you're wondering why you need to learn copywriting, it's simple. That's how you learn to get to the core of what your audience wants to give you money for. Plus, every email you send IS sales copy - even when you're giving away free information. It's just another part of the selling process.

First, I would turn that word you used..."pester"...into
a different phrase such as, "give them quality, valuable information."

With that mindset, you won't feel like you're "pestering" them.

That alone will assist you with cultivating a trust-worthy relationship
with your list. You have a moral obligation to give your list value.
This would be a great way to start. The headlines, subject, etc...will
start to flow afterwards. I guarantee it.
Great luck!
Gil

Find out what they really want. If they downloaded something from you then you already have a hint. Create or copy a compelling subject line for them to open your email. It must be an email series promoting your product that you think they really like.
Tease them to open your email. Tease them more. Give them something valuable then sell an irresistible offer.

Ross

Agree with Alexa and Travlinguy, your email subject headers are....lacking.

I know it may seem like they are similar to what you're seeing arriving from others, but yours are off the mark. I spend a lot of time writing and re-writing the subject heads, as that's a big factor in what gets opened or ignored.
_____
Bruce

When writing a money magnet, remember:

• Don’t just put together something haphazardly, with very little care or thought. It must really provide HIGH value to your prospects.
• Create one that is attractive and relevant ONLY to your target market! If you’re selling a relationship ebook targeting “single and looking” Moms between the age of 32 to 47, you wouldn’t get targeted leads if you promise to send them a free Swiss army knife or a “how to build a Japanese Koi pond in 3 days” report – get it?
• Aim to deliver free content that truly adds value, not some piece of trash. Aim to blow their mind, deliver something beyond their expectations and gets them thinking, “wow this person/info is pure amazing! If they are giving away something this awesome, I wonder how jaw-dropping their paid stuff are!”

Thanks guys.

Just to give a clear picture, I am getting opens, clicks and sales (though it could always be better). Over the last 10 emails (not including the one sent to non-openers), I am recording 9.9% opens and 3.3% clicks

Of course these are not ideal (as I said, they could be better), they are not dismal either.

Regardless, I appreciate the input about the headlines, and I will effect these changes in future emails

If they are a group of your main list that don't open ever, they more than likely are using a separate email address to be on your list (one they never open) or they've put you on their block list.

A portion of your list will always be non-openers. These people are not useful for you in anyway. They won't turn into buyers...they won't even turn into a click to leverage newer leads.

Some people like to try and get non-responsive subscribers to start opening and reading your email, but I have found it to be a complete waste of time. I've gotten way more out of taking that time and just finding new leads rather than trying to wake up ones that never open my emails

Every 3 months, I will segment any readers who haven't opened a single email from me over that 90 day period. If they haven't, I delete them from my list. The longer they are on there, the more money I spend every month on my autoresponder.

That's just the way I go about it though.

Travis

1-3% is not acceptable. Your saying on 1000 emails, you get 10 opens? you may want to look into this because that is EXTREMELY low.