How to Get a Good Open Rate for Your Email Newsletter? 7 Things to Keep in Mind

If you're putting in the effort to write and send email newsletters, you want people to actually open them. But with inboxes more crowded than ever, how do you stand out and improve your open rates?

Email open rate is one of the most important metrics in email marketing. It tells you the percentage of recipients who opened your email compared to the number of people who received it. A low open rate can hurt the overall effectiveness of your campaigns because if people aren’t opening your emails, they’re definitely not clicking or converting either.

So, how can you increase your newsletter’s open rate? Let’s explore 7 practical and proven tips to help you grab attention and boost engagement.

1. Write a Subject Line That Sparks Curiosity or Offers Value

Your subject line is the first (and sometimes only) thing people see. It's your one-line pitch to convince someone to open your email. Make it count.

A great subject line should do one or more of the following:

• Spark curiosity

• Offer a benefit or solution

• Ask a thought-provoking question

• Create a sense of urgency (without sounding clickbaity)

• Feel personal or relatable

For example, instead of writing “August Newsletter,” try something like:

• “3 Things I Wish I Knew Before Launching My Product”

• “Are You Making This Common Email Mistake?”

• “A Quick Win for Your Monday”

Always A/B test your subject lines to see what resonates best with your audience.

2. Avoid Spammy Words and Triggers

Even if your content is valuable, certain words in your subject line or email body can trigger spam filters. If your email ends up in the spam folder, your open rate takes a direct hit.

Avoid using words like:

• Free!!!

• 100% guaranteed

• Make money fast

• Click now

• No credit card required

Also, too many exclamation marks, all-caps subject lines, and poor formatting can land you in spam. Keep your language clear, natural, and aligned with how you would talk to a friend.

3. Personalize Whenever You Can

People are more likely to open emails that feel like they were written for them, not just blasted out to a huge list.

Here’s how you can personalize:

• Use their first name in the subject line or greeting

• Reference a recent interaction or purchase

• Segment your list based on interests, location, or past behavior

Even small personal touches can make a big difference. A subject line like “Hey Alex, quick question for you” will almost always perform better than “This week’s newsletter.”

4. Send at the Right Time

Timing matters more than you think. Sending your email when your audience is most likely to check their inbox can significantly improve open rates.

There’s no universal “best time” to send emails, but here are some general guidelines:

• Weekdays usually perform better than weekends

• Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays often see higher open rates

• Mid-mornings (around 10 AM) or late afternoons (around 3–4 PM) can work well

That said, the best timing depends on your specific audience. Use analytics and A/B testing to find out what works for your list.

5. Make Sure You’re Sending from a Recognizable Name

Before even reading the subject line, most people glance at the “from” name. If they don’t recognize or trust it, they might ignore or delete your email.

Use a name and email address that your subscribers will immediately recognize. This could be:

• Your actual name (e.g., Sarah from Crata)

• Your company name (e.g., Crata Newsletter)

• A combo (e.g., Sarah @ Crata)

Avoid using generic or vague sender names like “noreply@yourcompany.com” or “Marketing Team.” These feel impersonal and reduce trust.

6. Keep Your Email List Clean

A healthy email list leads to better open rates. If you’re sending emails to people who no longer care or engage, it drags your metrics down and could even hurt your deliverability.

Here’s what you can do:

• Regularly remove inactive subscribers who haven’t opened your emails in 3-6 months

• Use a re-engagement campaign to win them back before deleting

• Make it easy for people to unsubscribe if they’re no longer interested

This might feel counterintuitive, but a smaller, engaged list is more valuable than a big list of unresponsive readers.

7. Deliver Value Consistently

Even the best subject line won’t save you if your emails are boring or irrelevant.

People open emails when they trust that the content inside is worth their time. That trust builds over time based on consistency and value.

To build that trust:

• Share tips, insights, or resources your audience can use

• Tell personal stories or lessons they can relate to

• Offer exclusives like discounts, early access, or behind-the-scenes content

• Be consistent with your tone, frequency, and delivery

The more consistently valuable your emails are, the more likely people are to open them in the future no matter what your subject line says.

Final Thoughts

Improving your newsletter’s open rate isn’t just about tricks or hacks. It’s about understanding your audience and creating an experience that feels worth opening.

Start with a compelling subject line, avoid spam triggers, and personalize your emails. Send them at the right time, from a recognizable name, and maintain a clean list. Most importantly, keep showing up with value.

Email is still one of the most powerful tools in digital marketing but only if your readers actually open your messages.

Focus on building trust with your audience one email at a time, and your open rates will start to reflect that.