Your inbox is already a war zone of unread newsletters and desperate sales pitches. The last thing anyone needs is another forgettable email that sounds like it was written by a corporate drone. But here’s the good news: with a few simple tweaks, your emails can actually become something people look forward to reading.
Stop Sounding Like a Robot
We’ve all gotten those emails that start with “Dear Valued Customer” and immediately make you want to hit delete. Your emails should sound like you – just slightly more polished than your text messages.
Take a page from:
- The Hustle’s emails that read like your funniest friend explaining business news
- Tim Ferriss’ casual “Hey [First Name]” openings
- Marie Forleo’s emails that feel like she’s talking directly to you
Try this: Write your next email like you’re explaining it to your most impatient friend, then add just enough professionalism to keep it work-appropriate.
Visuals That Don’t Hurt to Look At
Your email shouldn’t look like a PowerPoint slide designed in 2003. Keep it simple:
- Morning Brew nails this with clean layouts and just enough personality
- Austin Kleon’s newsletter looks like it was typed on a typewriter (because it basically was)
- Ann Friedman’s emails feel like getting a personal note
Pro move: Use one accent color and stick to it. Your logo + one color = all the branding you need.
Subject Lines That Actually Work
“Monthly Newsletter” is how you get sent straight to spam. Try these instead:
- “You’re not going to believe this…”
- “Quick question for you”
- “The mistake I won’t make again”
Secret weapon: Put the most important words first since most people only see the first 30 characters on mobile.
The Magic of Brevity
Nobody wants to read your manifesto. Get to the point:
- One main idea per email
- Short paragraphs (2-3 lines max)
- Clear action steps up top
Bad: Rambling 800-word update
Good: “Here’s one thing you can use today” followed by 3 bullet points
Personality Goes a Long Way
Your sign-off shouldn’t sound like a legal document. Ditch “Best regards” for:
- “Talk soon,”
- “Onward,”
- Just your first name
Bonus points: Add a PS with something human (“PS – My dog destroyed my favorite shoes yesterday. Send help.”)
Timing is Everything
The best emails get sent when people actually check their inbox:
- Tuesday mornings (10am is golden)
- Thursday afternoons (3pm works surprisingly well)
- Sunday evenings (low competition time)
Pro tip: Test sending at weird times – you might be surprised what works for your audience.
Remember Why This Matters
At the end of the day, people do business with people they like. Your emails should feel like catching up with a smart, helpful friend – not getting cornered by a pushy salesperson.
Now go write something that doesn’t make people regret giving you their email address. Your open rates (and sanity) will thank you.