
Like any other marketing tool, email requires strategy, planning, testing and analysis. You’ll want to tailor your message subject line, appearance and content based on the information you’re delivering (and your audience), but regardless of what industry you’re in, there’s one tactic you’ll want to try: say thank you.
No, this isn’t a trick. It’s actually a novel concept. Being nice to your customers—imagine that. Research from Eloqua shows that emails that include “Thank You” in the subject line result in a significantly higher open rate, as indicated by this chart. Plus, the click through rate is higher, too.
Although this tactic isn’t used as often as it probably should be, Eloqua’s results make perfect sense. After all, who doesn’t like to feel appreciated? And expressing your gratitude—whether it’s on behalf of an individual or brand—does just that.
Plus, to our way of thinking, saying “thank you” creates a personal connection, too. Digital tools have made communication much easier and faster, yet as a result, messages and conversations have become just a bit impersonal. It’s easy to forget that there are people on the other side of your computer screen, and sending emails that include a thoughtful message go a long way in building a rapport with your target audience. Additionally, we tend to send thank you messages once a customer has taken action—breaking that mold might just have unexpected results.
The next time you prepare to send out an email to your customers or on behalf of a client, see if it makes sense to include a message of gratitude in the content—or at least the subject line. When you do, keep an eye on your analytics—you might just see a sudden upswing in your stats.
Do you include the words “thank you” in your email messages? If so, how have your results been? If not, try it.
Image by Gamma Man via Creative Commons