Article source: https://metricmarketing.ca/perspectives/5-ways-to-boost-your-email-open-rates/

Why Boosting Open Rates Matters

In order to establish connections with the audiences you’re trying to reach, you need to first get them to open your email. Increasing your open rates indicates that more recipients are actively engaging with your emails, and increases the likelihood that your important messages are actually being read.

Recent studies have found that the average email open rate across all industries is 21.5%. Check your email marketing software to see what your benchmark open rate has been for each type of email you send – and then aim to improve it.

The average person receives around 100 emails per day. Breaking through that inbox clutter can be a challenge, but improving open rates is achievable through well-planned strategies. By focusing on attention-grabbing subject lines, content that’s tailored to your audiences, and optimizing your send times, you can significantly increase the chances of your emails being opened and engaged with.

5 Actionable Strategies for Improved Email Open Rates in Private K-12 Schools

1. PERFECT YOUR TIMING

Increase the chances of your emails being opened by finding the optimal time and day to send them. Research your audience’s behavior and preferences to determine when parents, staff, and students are most likely to check their inboxes. While research has shown that Thursday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are the best days to send emails, it’s important to do your own testing with your audiences.

Use A/B testing features within your email platform that optimize send date and time based on past user behaviours. Experiment with sending newsletters and announcements during different days of the week and times of day to find what works best for your readers.

A recent study by MailerLite found that the top five best times to send emails are:

#1 – 10 am

#2 – 9 am

#3 – 8 am

#4 – 1 pm

#5 – 3 pm

The same study showed that the worst times are from 7pm to 2 am – but again, do your own research for your own audiences! A Sunday evening email about the upcoming week’s events might prove effective, and you’ll never know unless you try (and measure… and try again). 

2. TEST YOUR SUBJECT LINES

Compelling subject lines can encourage recipients to open your emails, leading to higher engagement and better communication within your school community. Capture your audience’s attention by experimenting with various subject line styles – this is another great opportunity for A/B testing.

Here are a few tips to consider (and test):

• Try using the word “you” in your subject lines to make the reader feel like you’re addressing them directly
• Experiment with emojis 
• Test subject lines with statements vs. questions
• Test short vs. long subject lines 
• Make sure your subject line accurately frames the content of the message

Once you land on a few angles that work, keep using them – but continue to test and tweak your subject lines to maintain high open rates over time. Keep scrolling for some basic A/B testing advice and strategies to consider.

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