Content & Writing Tycoon

**vidking** · 07-28-2006, 12:33 AM

I just started sending out newsletters for a few of my sites.

The subject for one newsletter was "Top Ten MUST watch Videos" which had a 60% open rate. I sent out a similar one to another site and got similar results.

I then sent one out for another site with the subjet "(site) first Weekly Update". However, this newsletter received a 14% open rate.

What are your thoughts... men and women both... on getting the best open rates? any suggestions on words to use in email subjects and words not to use?

**marketjunction** · 07-28-2006, 02:13 AM

First open rate was higher, because the subject was more interesting. Most people like watching videos.

Who cares about your site updating? If you had something to be proud of, focus on that in the subject and not the dread "my site updated." If your website had nothing great to feature then there's no point in bothering people to begin with.

Words not to use: weekly update

**Atomm** · 07-28-2006, 02:55 PM

Interesting.

What software are you using to track the open rate?

Thanks!

**IsMaR** · 07-28-2006, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atomm

Interesting.

What software are you using to track the open rate?

Thanks!

yeah I'd like to know this too

**Tran** · 07-29-2006, 04:39 AM

o.O I should start doing newsletters again.. I used to do it but it had no good turn around :\

**domaindame** · 07-29-2006, 01:27 PM

Vidking.. what's the size of your list?

I agree with marketjunction. Most readers are only interested in things about them and their needs .. not yours. Besides, "weekly update" sounds boring anyway. Give it a snazzy title and see how your list responds.

**Mike** · 07-29-2006, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marketjunction

First open rate was higher, because the subject was more interesting. Most people like watching videos.

Who cares about your site updating? If you had something to be proud of, focus on that in the subject and not the dread "my site updated." If your website had nothing great to feature then there's no point in bothering people to begin with.

Words not to use: weekly update

I get an 85-95% open rate announcing my newsletters as an update.

What is important is for you newsletter to actually pertain to what the subscriber signed up for.

My newsletter titles are very simple. "(site name) Update - (Today's Date)"

**marketjunction** · 07-29-2006, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

I get an 85-95% open rate announcing my newsletters as an update.

What is important is for you newsletter to actually pertain to what the subscriber signed up for.

My newsletter titles are very simple. "(site name) Update - (Today's Date)"

If you have good user loyalty and rapport, this will happen. What % act on your email? Just asking, because in some programs when a user clicks on an email to delete it, the email is opened.

In reality, they are not opening the email, just selecting it for deletion. The smaller your list, the greater likelihood that high %'s are genuine.

**dougyt** · 07-30-2006, 04:21 AM

As already stated here, the headline or subject in the case of an email is what will determine whether it is opened or not. It will also make a difference to your open rate where your subscribers come from, and how you build your relationship with them. I also find open rates to be no indicator of the value of your list. The actual value comes when they actually read your newsletter and take action. Again nurturing, and building rapport is crucial to an active subscriber base.

**Tran** · 07-30-2006, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by domaindame

Vidking.. what's the size of your list?

Should be pretty big if he is consider sending out a newsletter.. atleast 100 I would say :glare:

**imported_Nerz** · 08-07-2006, 01:31 AM

Im suprised anyone can achieve 85% open rate...thats extremely high...Good stuff.

In general id agree with the other posters, like all forms of marketing to customers - it has to be all about them.

Catchy titles that focus on what the customer wants will always bring in a higher hit rate.