Why Don’t People Just Read the Email??!

Has this ever happened to you?

You send out an email with supposedly exciting information about an event or a sale.

You’ve made sure to answer all the relevant questions, but you still get replies from recipients, asking about the very thing you answered in the email.

Why don’t people just read the email??!

Before you give up and cringe, truth is: “People just don’t read anymore!” Let’s make sure you’re doing all you can to make it easy for them.

After all, you want people to read and take action, rather than ignore and delete. And when it comes to reading online, it’s a lot different from reading a book, magazine, or newspaper.

Use the following tips to make your emails very easy to read and acted upon, fast.

First of all: “What action do you want the reader to take?”

Many atimes, the reason people ignore emails is because there’s just too much information in them.

Think about how often you check your email while in line at a supermarket, or in between busy meetings – Those are not a lot of time to dig into tons of information, isn’t it?

By asking the question, “What action do you want the reader to take?,” you focus yourself, so you only include information that supports the reader taking that action.

When something sneaks in that doesn’t help with your goal, you know to exclude it from your email. Always remember, less is more.

Keep your content concise and scannable, at a glance.

Now that your email content is focused and driving toward one particular goal, you still need to present it in a way that’s easy for the reader to consume, in the shortest possible time.

People typically see the email before they read it. And if the content of the email looks intimidating to them… they DELETE, or at best, IGNORE it, straight off.

Keep the content of your email concise, and put the most important information on top. Make your email text scannable, by using short sentences and break up large blocks of text into short paragraphs. Also, be sure to use bullet points when listing items.

How long should your emails be, though?

A good rule of thumb: picture, paragraph, and a call to action.

• Relate your image to the topic of your email: Choose an image that shows what the reader may expect, feel or experience, if they take the action you want them to take.
• Use a headline to grab the reader’s attention: Headline text should be larger than body copy, to pull your readers into your email. Ideally, use 22-point font for your email headlines.
• Be sure your call to action stands out: Use a button or lots of white space, around your link, or email’s call to action.

Use a mobile-responsive email template.

If it’s not easy for your reader to see your email, especially on a mobile device, then something’s not right.

A responsive email template responds to any device that it’s being read on. Whether it’s on a mobile phone, tablet or desktop computer, you can be sure your email looks great and is easy to read.

We suggest exploring Constant Contact for a full section of mobile-responsive templates, so you don’t have to worry about your emails looking great — on any device.

Summary:

• Keep your email focused on one goal
• Use a picture that supports your content
• Make your text scannable at a glance
• Use short sentences in your emails
• Break up paragraphs
• Use bullet points
• Make sure your call to action stands out

Try out these tips to see what impact it has on your overall results. And maybe, just maybe, you can spend a little less time wondering why people won’t just read your email.

 

^{To your Success,}

^{♥Phyllion and Partners Limited}

 

Need help strategizing how to reach your specific target audience, and speak to them, in the way they really want to hear from you? See what we do best HERE.