5 Ways to Increase Your Email Open Rate

Email marketing isn’t just alive and well...it’s doing cartwheels in the middle of your sales funnel. 🤸

It’s direct. It’s personal. It builds trust.

And best of all? You own it. No dancing for the algorithm, no hoping your post gets seen. Just you, your message, and a list of warm leads who chose to hear from you.

That is… if they’re actually opening your emails.

And there’s the rub. You pour your heart (and offers, and value, and witty subject lines) into those emails, only to be met with radio silence. Why do people subscribe just to leave your emails unopened and gathering dust?

It’s the million dollar question—and while I'll probably never know the answer, I do have some proven strategies that can increase your email open rate and bring your list back to life.

So let’s get into it...because your emails are too good to sit unopened in inbox purgatory.

5 Tips to Increase Your Email Open Rate

✨ Tip 1: Clean Your List Like You Mean It

I know, I know—this one gets people fired up. Some folks treat every email subscriber like they’re gold. But me? I’d rather have a smaller list that opens, clicks, and buys than a bloated one full of digital tumbleweeds.

Every few months, I comb through my list and say good riddance to the folks who haven’t engaged in a while. I'm talking no clicks, no opens, no signs of life.

Over the years? I’ve deleted thousands of subscribers. And guess what? My open rates improved, my deliverability got better, and my list became way more responsive.

It’s quality over quantity, every single time. Think of it like spring cleaning—but for your inbox.

✨ Tip 2: Make It Crystal Clear Who Your Email Is From

Your email address is not the place to get clever or cute. This isn’t the time for mystery or surprises—it needs to scream, “Hey, it’s me!” as soon as it hits their inbox.

The easiest way? Use an email address with your own domain. For me, it’s always

hello@edenstancill.com - simple, short, and unmistakably me.

When your subscribers see that, they know exactly who’s dropping in, and they’re way more likely to open it instead of sending it straight to the abyss.

✨ Tip 3: Write Subject Lines That Spark Curiosity

A clever twist or pun? Yes, please! But don’t get so cute that your readers end up scratching their heads.

Make sure your subject line actually hints at what’s inside the email. Nobody likes feeling tricked by a subject that promises the moon but delivers...well, nothing.

Keep it fun, keep it intriguing, but always keep it honest. That way, your subscribers will open with excitement, not suspicion.

✨ Tip 4: Segment Like a Pro

Not everyone on your list wants the same thing. Some people want exclusive deals, others are here for helpful tips, and some just like to stay in the loop without committing to much.

That’s where segmenting comes in. By sorting your subscribers into neat little groups, you can exclude them from emails that don’t fit and zero in on what they actually want to hear.

Think of it like sending party invites—you wouldn’t invite someone who hates cake to a cupcake tasting, right? Same idea here. Send hyper-focused emails that speak directly to each group’s interests, and watch your open rates, clicks and sales soar.

To dive deeper into email list segmentation, check out this blog post!

✨ Tip 5: Use a Reputable Email Marketing Provider

Not all email services are created equal. Using a shady or sketchy provider with a bad sender reputation is like trying to throw a party at a haunted house...people just won’t show up.

Your emails could get caught in spam filters, or worse, never make it to the inbox at all. That’s why picking a trustworthy, well-known email marketing platform is key.

It’s an investment in your business’s reputation, and your open rates will thank you.

How to Increase Your Email Open Rate: The Summary

You can write the world’s most brilliant email, but if no one opens it... it’s just shouting into the digital void.

Improving your open rates isn’t about trickery or hacks—it’s about clarity, connection, and showing up with intention. Keep your list healthy and lean, make your name recognizable, write subject lines that actually say something, segment your subscribers, and use legit tools that won’t sabotage your hard work.

Do that, and your emails won’t just get opened—they’ll get read, clicked, and remembered.

Now go hit “send” with confidence.

👇 Ready to get started building an email list for your business? Check out my FREE Email Marketing Starter Guide! 👇