Are Your Emails Worth Reading?

There is a kid’s television show called Blues Clues. It’s about a guy and his pet dog “Blue” that have adventures where they use “clues” to figure out what the dog wants. It’s quite cute.

Ever seen it?

In each episode there is a point at which the main character receives mail from the mailbox. I love it. When it’s “mailtime” – there is an upbeat song and the guy excitedly exclaims “Mailtime!” Then he sings:

“Here’s the mail, it never fails it makes me wanna wag my tail, when it comes I wanna wail MAIL!!!!”

Now, I don’t know about you – but I’ve not been that excited about mail in a LONG time. Not since the day of pen pal letters as a kid.

What about you?

And what about being excited in something so commonplace in today’s world – like email?!

Do your emails generate that type of behavior? Are they exciting? Engaging? Interesting? Do they make people sing and jump up and down?

Probably not.

But, you should be writing emails with that goal in mind.

If not, you’re emails will be like everything else that is out there. BORING!

How do you it?

Here are 6 secrets to writing exciting and interesting emails:

Keep it casual. Write emails like you’re writing to your friends. Not a list of random subscribers who you have no relationship with. Pretend you’re writing an email to your best friend.

Keep it real. No fluff and don’t lie. Tell it like it is and in your own voice. Don’t try to be like anyone else.

Keep it conversational. I don’t know about you, but I respond well on email when the person writing keeps it simple and to the point without a lot of formalities. Try writing the email like you were texting someone – it keeps it open and encourages a response or reply.

Keep it interesting. Write about them – not you. Whether you inject your personality or humor or a certain edge – when you make it interesting for the reader – they’ll obviously read more and be more engaged in what you’re telling them.

Give them a call-to-action. Have a point with your emails – not just ramble on. Have an end goal in mind and write so that the user takes that action. 95% of the people who do email marketing miss and forget the fact that it’s almost ALWAYS about getting the readers to click through to something (a website, video, sales page, etc.)

Give them value. Make it worth their time and effort when reading your emails. You would only expect the same when reading their emails. Make sure they actually want to read your emails and they’ll feel they’re getting value.

Keep these 6 simple tips in mind when writing your emails and your readers will soon react to your emails just like they do on Blues Clues: Mailtime!

Until next time… Learn It, Love It, Live It!