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10 Tips For Getting More Clicks On Your Email Newsletter

If you think I’m giving you this article for free… think again.
It’s costing you something very valuable — your time.
As a result, I have to sell it to you.  I have to sell it as if I was asking you for money.
When you promote blog content through an email newsletter you need to apply many of the same principles you would when selling products and services through email.
In this article you’ll get access to Digital Marketer’s Top 10 email newsletters promoting our blog content.
These 10 email newsletters enjoyed our highest click through rates.
I’ll show you each of these emails and break down the science behind writing content emails that get clicks.
Note: Each email screenshot contains numbered stars like this: ‘bcm11 These numbers correspond with the analysis below the screenshot.
Let’s begin with #10…

10 – Tease Clicks with Curiosity

Email Subject Line: [NEW FORMULA] Cheap, Targeted Facebook Traffic
Blog Post Headline: [New Formula] WCA + YC = Cheap, High Converting Traffic From Facebook
Curiosity is a powerful motivator but often doesn’t work well by itself.
This email uses curiosity plus a heavy dose of benefits to get clicks.
Email Clicks from Curiosity

1)  The subject line contains the phrase [NEW FORMULA] communicating that this is new and something the reader may be unaware of.
2)  The image (while admittedly ugly) builds curiosity and previews the content.
3)  The opening line restates that this is new and therefore worth the reader’s attention.
4)  The formula ‘WCA + YC = Cheap, High Converting Traffic’ teases the reader by showing the benefit (cheap, high-converting traffic) while concealing the method (WCA + YC)
5)  This sentence calls out the audience.  If you’re interested in Facebook marketing, this is for you.
6)  This quick bulleted list restates the benefits and builds value for the piece of content on the other end of the click.
7)  Adding ‘(no optin required)’ lets the reader know that they can get instant access to these benefits by clicking.

9 – Steal Credibility from a Rock Star

Need some proof that your content is good?  Borrow the proof from a rock star.
Use Oprah, Steve Forbes, the Wall Street Journal… anyone (or anything) with rock star credibility in your niche.
In this email we “piggyback” off of the expertise of Bill Glazer and Dan Kennedy.
Email Subject Line: How to write bullets that sell…
Blog Post HeadlineHow to Write Landing Page Bullets that Sell
Clicks from Social Proof

1) The subject line contains a specific benefit.
2) Here’s where we borrow credibility from a rock star.  Don’t do this unless you’ve done it ethically.  In this case the author, Julie Boswell, worked directly under Bill Glazer.
3) This phrase restates and “links up” the benefit.  You’ll notice that most of our emails (content and promotional) contain at least three links — all to the same page.
4) The phrase “simple trick” makes the benefit more attainable.

8 – Show Speed to Results

Your reader wants results… now.
If you can communicate speed in your email copy — do it.
In this email we promise the benefits we lay out “… in minutes.”
Email Subject Line:  The 10-Minute Bloggers Editorial Plan
Blog Post HeadlineBloggers: Build an Editorial Plan in 10 Minutes or Less
Speed to Results Email

1)  The email subject promises a benefit in a short amount of time
2)  The image shows the benefit of the click.  Don’t forget to link the image to the blog post!  You’ll lose a lot of traffic if you fail to do this.
3)  The term ‘dead simple’ continues to promise ease and speed to results.
4)  Again, the term ‘lightning fast’ is used to communicate speed.
5)  A downloadable resource is promised… content emails that promise additional resources get more clicks.
6)  One more phrase to emphasize speed “…this case study will get you organized and on the path to success in minutes.”

7 – Go Short

Sometimes it pays to be brief and leave the reader little to do but click on the link.
Just be sure to communicate strong benefits in the short amount of time you have.
Email Subject Line: 43 Split Tests That (Almost) Always Win
Blog Post Headline43 Split-Tests That (Almost) Always Boost Conversions
Be Short With Email

1)  Strong, benefit rich subject line.  Notice how the word ‘Almost’ makes the benefit more believable.
2)  The first line hits the two most desired benefits of our readership — save time and money.
3)  More, straight forward benefits.
4)  This last line ‘You can put these to work immediately…” communicates speed to results.

6 – Build Value With Bullets

In this email we use a bulleted list to break up the copy and give the reader a taste of the content they can expect.
Email Subject Line:  How to write a promotional email
Blog Post HeadlineHow to Write a Promotional Email
Emails with Bulleted Lists

1)  A simple, “how to” subject line containing a benefit that is relevant to the reader.
2)  This first line communicates the benefit and reassures the reader that this benefit can be easily attained.
3)  We build credibility for the author by stating that he is a ‘professional copywriter.’
4)  In the bulleted list we give the reader a preview of the content.
5)  A strong call to action closes the email.

5 – Call Out the Audience

You’ll often get more clicks by alienating some readers and “calling out” the ones that will get the most benefit from the content you’re promoting.
Email Subject Line: A Simple Sales Copy Formula
Blog Post HeadlineHow to Write Sales Copy Like a Pro (Even if you’re a rookie)
Calling Out The Audience
1)  The subject line states the topic and benefit and “calls out” to the reader that would be interested in this topic.
2)  The image builds curiosity and, if read, gives a taste of what will be learned in the blog post.
3)  This first paragraph builds credibility for the author by “piggybacking” off of the status of Dan Kennedy and Bill Glazer.
4)  This sentence is a pure “call out” to the reader that will benefit from this content.
5)  This final sentence borrows more credibility from Frank Kern and John Carlton — two legendary copywriters.

4- Break the Pattern

Your reader is asleep at the wheel.  If your content follows the same pattern as everything else… your response will suffer.
Find ways to break up the pattern and get your readers attention.
Email Subject Line: Find writers for your blog
Blog Post HeadlineHow to Find People to Write For Your Blog
Use a Pattern Interrupt in Your Email

1)  A very simple, benefit rich subject line that calls out the correct audience for this content.
2)  The image is of a tool that will be discussed in the post — it builds value… and curiosity.
3)  The addition of this “Teaser” sentence tacks on a curious benefit the reader may not have expected.
4)  This last sentence uses a pattern interrupt stating “If you want to start making money from your blog… then STOP blogging…”  It causes the reader to pause and read it again more carefully.

3 – Break the News

If your content reveals something your reader is likely unaware of… be sure to highlight it.  You’ll see higher click through rates.
In this email we are promoting a blog post about a new digital marketing tactic that most of our readers were not familiar with… Native Advertising.
Email Subject Line:  A Native Ad in 60 Minutes or Less
Blog Post HeadlineHow to Get Started With Native Ads
Communicate News in Your Email

1)  The subject line communicates speed to results.
2)  This email (like many of our content mails) contains a benefit rich headline.
3)  An image that builds curiosity and gives the reader a taste of the content.
4)   The phrases “… hottest tactic in digital marketing” and “Native Advertising is all the rage…” let the reader know that this topic is trendy and new.
5)  The last sentence communicates speed to results.

2 – Promise a Bonus Resource

Several of our top performing blog post emails contain a promise to deliver an additional resource.
In this post we simply turned the article into a PDF for download and highlight that in the email.
Email Subject Line: Steal Our Best Subject Lines
Blog Post HeadlineCopy & Paste Our Best 101 Email Subject Lines [PDF Download]Promise a Bonus Resource

1)  The subject line promises a shortcut to results by inviting the reader to “steal” from us.
2)  The image previews the content by showing a chunk of the PDF download they’ll receive.
3)  This paragraph states the feature “We’re also sharing the subtle psychological triggers…” and connects that with the benefit of “… so you know why and how to use each one.”
4)  This last sentence before the call to action promises the bonus resource of a PDF download.

1- Provide Tremendous Value

Last, but certainly not least is this pesky issue of providing value… and lots of it.
There is no trick or hack that will save your blog if the content isn’t outstanding.  In the end a real human will click through on your email newsletter and consume the content.
Will they like what they see?
That, more than anything else will determine whether you get more or less clicks the next time you press SEND to promote a piece of content to your email list.
I leave you with our top performing email promoting a piece of content on our blog.
It performed well, in large part because we promised tremendous value and (if I do say so myself) delivered on that promise.
Email Subject Line: 212 Blog Post Ideas
Blog Post HeadlineThe Ultimate List of Blog Post Ideas
Provide High Value Content

1)  Big promise in the subject line.
2)  The image previews the mind map resource delivered in the content.
3)  A bulleted list builds value and curiosity by highlighting some of the more strangely named blog post types.
4)  The last paragraph before the call to action promises the additional resource that tips the content from good to great.
5)  The last sentence clearly restates the benefit of the content.

Russ Henneberry

Russ Henneberry

Russ Henneberry is a digital marketer, speaker, and co-author of Digital Marketing for Dummies. Russ has helped hundreds of brands increase sales, leads, and retention including Crazy Egg, Salesforce.com, and DigitalMarketer. Visit Russ's website or connect with him on LinkedIn.

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