Podcast Summary: The $100 MBA Show - MBA2252: 4 Ways to Increase Your Email Open Rates in 2023 + Free Ride Friday Release Date: February 24, 2023
Host: Omar Zenhom
Introduction
In episode MBA2252, Omar Zenhom delves into the crucial aspect of email marketing—specifically, how to enhance email open rates in 2023. Balancing practical strategies with actionable insights, Omar draws from his extensive entrepreneurial experience to provide listeners with effective methods to engage their email subscribers genuinely. Additionally, this episode features the recurring segment Free Ride Friday, where Omar announces winners and offers exclusive opportunities.
Main Lesson: 4 Ways to Increase Your Email Open Rates in 2023
Omar begins by addressing the common pitfalls in email marketing, emphasizing the ineffectiveness of outdated tactics like clickbaity subject lines and excessive use of emojis. He stresses the importance of building trust with subscribers through authentic and value-driven communication.
1. Personal and Simple Subject Lines
Timestamp: [04:30]
Omar underscores the significance of crafting subject lines that resemble personal emails rather than marketing jargon. He advises listeners to consider how they would address a friend or family member when writing a subject line.
Notable Quote:
"The most effective subject lines are the ones that don't look markety at all, the ones that look like a personal email subject line." – Omar Zenhom [04:45]
Key Points:
- Avoid over-the-top language; opt for straightforward and relatable phrases.
- Example: Instead of “The Craziest Deal of the Year!”, use “Great Deal on Piano Lessons”.
- Personal subject lines foster trust and set clear expectations for the email content.
2. Share Personal Stories in Your Emails
Timestamp: [09:10]
Omar highlights the power of storytelling in email content. Sharing relevant personal anecdotes can make emails more engaging and memorable.
Notable Quote:
"Every email, you should share a story that happened in your life that's relevant to the subject of the email." – Omar Zenhom [09:25]
Key Points:
- Personal stories help build a connection with subscribers.
- Stories make the content relatable and easier to remember.
- Enhances the likelihood of subscribers anticipating future emails.
Example:
- If writing about overcoming imposter syndrome, share a personal experience related to that struggle and the subsequent breakthrough.
3. Utilize Cliffhangers to Maintain Engagement
Timestamp: [15:50]
Drawing a parallel with binge-worthy TV shows, Omar explains how ending emails with a cliffhanger can entice subscribers to look forward to the next email.
Notable Quote:
"Cliffhangers are powerful, so use them in your emails. It's gonna get people wanna open the next one and the next one and the next one." – Omar Zenhom [16:05]
Key Points:
- End emails with a teaser about upcoming content or unresolved topics.
- Creates anticipation and curiosity, encouraging continuous engagement.
- Ensures subscribers remain interested and invested in your email series.
Implementation Tips:
- Introduce a problem or story in the current email and hint at its resolution or continuation in the next.
- For instance, conclude with, “In the next email, I’ll share how I overcame that challenge.”
4. Encourage Subscribers to Reply
Timestamp: [21:30]
Omar advocates for interactive communication by prompting subscribers to respond to emails, even if it's just infrequently.
Notable Quote:
"The whole purpose of the email is to get them to reply. And that's why it's short and sweet for a reason." – Omar Zenhom [21:55]
Key Points:
- Sending quarterly emails asking subscribers to reply fosters engagement.
- Example Email: “Are you still interested in learning about webinars? If so, hit reply and let me know. What is your biggest struggle these days?”
- Responses not only provide valuable feedback but also signal email providers that your emails are legitimate, improving inbox placement.
Benefits:
- Enhances email deliverability by reducing the likelihood of being marked as spam.
- Builds a more personal relationship with subscribers, making them feel valued and heard.
- Provides insights into subscriber needs, enabling tailored content and offerings.
Free Ride Friday
As part of Free Ride Friday, Omar announces a giveaway opportunity where listeners can win a lifetime membership to the Automated Webinar Challenge, a comprehensive 30-day course valued at $499. To enter, listeners are encouraged to leave an Apple Podcast rating and review, automatically entering them into the weekly draw.
Winner Announcement:
- Winner: Creator Wizard
- Testimonial: “Seriously valuable. 5 stars. Omar's dedication to this podcast over the years is absolutely incredible. So much value packed into each episode. Huge fan.” – Creator Wizard [25:10]
Omar instructs the winner to email him at omarmba@net to receive the lifetime membership through the Automated Webinar Challenge.
Bonus Tip: Prune Your Email List Regularly
Timestamp: [28:00]
Before concluding, Omar shares an additional strategy to maintain high open rates—pruning the email list.
Key Points:
- Every six months, send an email to inactive subscribers asking if they still wish to receive content.
- Utilize engagement metrics to identify and remove uninterested subscribers.
- Pruning ensures that open rates accurately reflect an engaged audience, improving overall email performance.
Implementation Steps:
- Send a re-engagement email with a clear CTA.
- Tag subscribers based on their responses.
- Remove those who remain inactive after the re-engagement attempt.
Conclusion
Omar wraps up the episode by reiterating the four strategies to boost email open rates:
- Personal and Simple Subject Lines
- Sharing Personal Stories
- Using Cliffhangers
- Encouraging Replies
He emphasizes the importance of authenticity and genuine connection in email marketing, steering away from manipulative tactics. Omar also teases an upcoming special episode—a four-part series—that promises to deliver valuable insights, encouraging listeners to stay tuned.
Closing Quote:
"You're going to absolutely love it." – Omar Zenhom [30:15]
Key Takeaways
- Authenticity Matters: Genuine communication fosters trust and long-term engagement.
- Storytelling Enhances Connection: Personal narratives make emails more relatable and memorable.
- Maintain Curiosity: Cliffhangers keep subscribers eager for more content.
- Interactive Engagement: Encouraging replies not only boosts open rates but also strengthens subscriber relationships.
- List Maintenance: Regularly cleaning your email list ensures high engagement and accurate performance metrics.
By implementing these strategies, entrepreneurs and marketers can significantly improve their email open rates, fostering a more engaged and responsive subscriber base.
For more insights and actionable business lessons, visit The $100 MBA Show and join Omar Zenhom on his journey of empowering entrepreneurs with practical knowledge.