10 Tips to Improve Follow-up Emails Open Rates with Rewards & Subject Lines

In the vast landscape of digital communication, email remains a powerful tool for connecting with your audience. However, in the era of overflowing inboxes, getting your emails opened and read is a considerable challenge. If you struggle with low open rates, fear not—there's a potent solution: rewards.

In this blog post, we'll explore the art of crafting follow-up emails that not only capture attention but also entice recipients to click that elusive 'Open' button by incorporating the magic of rewards.

The power of follow-up emails

Before diving into the rewarding strategies, let's quickly remind ourselves why follow-up emails are crucial. They serve as a second chance to make an impression, reinforce your message, and drive action. However, the effectiveness of follow-up emails heavily relies on one thing—getting noticed in the first place.

How do rewards help to improve follow-up email open rates?

Rewards can significantly improve follow-up email open rates through various psychological and practical mechanisms. Here's how:

1. Incentivizes action

Rewards create a clear incentive for the recipient to take action. Knowing there is value waiting for them encourages individuals to open and engage with the email. The reward anticipation triggers a positive response and makes the email more appealing.

2. Increases perceived Value

Offering a reward increases the perceived value of the email. It transforms the communication from a simple follow-up into an opportunity for the recipient to gain something beneficial. This perceived value captures attention and motivates the recipient to open the email to discover what's inside.

3. Addresses recipient's interests

Tailoring rewards to the recipient's interests or needs ensures that the content of the email is relevant. When individuals believe that the information inside is personally valuable or beneficial to them, they are more likely to open the email to access those rewards.

4. Creates a sense of exclusivity

Rewards often come with a sense of exclusivity. Whether it's a special discount, early access to a promotion, or unique content, being part of a select group can drive recipients to open the email to enjoy the exclusive benefits offered.

5. Enhances engagement and connection

Providing rewards fosters a sense of reciprocity. When recipients receive something of value, they may feel a sense of obligation or appreciation, leading to increased engagement. This positive interaction can build a stronger connection between the sender and the recipient.

6. Encourages swift action

Time-sensitive rewards or limited availability can create a sense of urgency. Knowing that the reward has an expiration or is available only to a limited number of recipients can prompt individuals to open the email promptly, fostering a quicker response.

Rewards tap into psychological motivations, making the email more enticing and valuable to the recipient. You can effectively boost follow-up email open rates and overall engagement by aligning the reward with the recipient's interests and creating a sense of exclusivity.

How to leverage rewards to elevate your follow-up email game

People love surprises, and the promise of a reward is an excellent way to grab their attention. Rewards create a sense of urgency and excitement, whether it's a discount, exclusive access, or a special offer. Let's explore how you can leverage rewards to elevate your follow-up email game:

1. Personalized incentives

Tailor your rewards based on your recipient's preferences or past interactions. If they've shown interest in a particular product or service, offer them an exclusive discount or early access.

2. Limited-time offers

Create a sense of urgency by incorporating time-sensitive rewards. Highlight the exclusivity of the offer and emphasize that it's only available for a short period. This urgency can be a powerful motivator to open your email.

3. Milestone celebrations

Recognize and celebrate your customer's milestones, such as anniversaries or achievements. Provide them with a special reward as a token of appreciation for their loyalty or engagement.

4. Interactive content

Make your emails engaging by turning them into interactive experiences. Include quizzes, surveys, or games with the promise of a reward upon completion. This not only boosts open rates but also encourages active participation.

5. Segmentation for targeted rewards

Segment your email list based on demographics, behavior, or preferences. This allows you to offer highly relevant rewards to each segment, increasing the chances of resonance.

6. Exclusive sneak peeks

Everyone loves to be in the know. Offer exclusive sneak peeks or early access to upcoming products or content as a reward for opening your email. This creates a sense of privilege and strengthens your audience's connection.

7. Loyalty programs

Implement a loyalty program that rewards consistent engagement. Provide points or exclusive benefits for opening, clicking, or sharing your emails, turning your communication into a rewarding experience.

Now that we know how rewards and subject lines help in improving the open rates of follow-up emails. Here are some tips for writing effective follow-up email subject lines.

Tips to write effective follow-up email subject lines

Follow some essential strategies such as these to write effective subject lines:

1. Keep it short

Your subject line must be short yet powerful. It should convey the intent of the email in a few words. It should be engaging and stimulate the reader to proceed to read the email.

2. Include value

Your subject line should carry value and not be clickbait. It should inform the readers of the purpose of the email.

3. Keep it natural

Let your follow-up subject line be friendly and not aggressive. Though it should be to engage your audience, you should not show signs of being desperate.

4. Personal connect

Personalize your email subject lines by including the name of the recipient or the organization. This will create instant attention and will improve open rates.

5. Keep it relevant to the content

An attractive subject line without any connection to the content, just to captivate the audience, will only be for the worse. Include a gist of your content in your subject and make it attention-grabbing.

50 follow-up email subject lines examples

Here are 50 example email subject lines for your follow-up emails:

1. “Hi (name), A quick question from our last meeting.”
2. “We have an important update for you on (give info).”
3. “We hope you liked our event on (date).”
4. “Just wanted to check on your progress regarding our order.”
5. “Can we have a quick meeting on (date)?”
6. “Is this the right person to talk to regarding (give info)?”
7. “We hope you must have thought it over by now.”
8. “It was great connecting with you at (event).”
9. “We hope you haven’t forgotten the last date for our limited time deal.”
10. “Check out what our customers have to say about our work.”
11. “We would love to have your feedback on our last meeting.”
12. “Still undecided?”
13. “We are back with our yearly offer(mention offer).”
14. “Hi (name), you still have 5 days to think over.”
15. “I’ve been thinking about what you said.”
16. “Here is one last attempt.”
17. “Did you miss this?”
18. “Quick meeting over a coffee?”
19. “Should we stop contacting you for (mention details)?”
20. “We are here with the next steps for you.”
21. “It’s been quite some time since we heard from you.”
22. “I just need 5 minutes of your time to discuss this.”
23. “Hi (name), I hope you checked my voicemail.”
24. “We thought you might be interested in solving (pain point).”
25. “Hi (name), I read your article on (LinkedIn/Twitter etc).”
26. “We have 3 solutions based on your recent Tweet.”
27. “From the sales manager (company) to the sales manager (company).”
28. “Exclusive offer for you on your first sign-up.”
29. “ We are extending our free trial by another week.”
30. “Let’s do this together (event).”
31. “Did you review our proposal?”
32. “Here is the link: Just in case you were looking for more information.”
33. “We are waiting for your confirmation.”
34. “Hi (name), I think we have a solution for your concerns.”
35. “How can we help you with (details).”
36. “Is anything preventing you from moving forward in this deal?”
37. “We hope you had a discussion with your team regarding (details).”
38. “Our upgraded solutions tailor-made for you.”
39. “We promise unparalleled support for your (concern/goal).”
40. “Do we have any news from you?”
41. “Hi (name), I just wanted to keep in touch.”
42. “We hope things are going fine. It’s been a while.”
43. “We would like to understand you better with this survey (link)?”
44. “We have some exciting news for you this time.”
45. “Here’s is the purchase link in case you liked our product demo.”
46. “Hi (name), (sender’s name) here; I think we must meet over coffee.”
47. “If you are yet to sign up, have a look at our reduced prices.”
48. “We see you are still looking to solve (pain point). Can we help?”
49. “Your search for the best (product) ends here at (company).”
50. “Want to join our list of satisfied customers?”

Conclusion

In the noisy world of email marketing, standing out is not just an option—it's a necessity. By strategically integrating rewards into your follow-up emails and writing creative subject lines, you increase open rates and enhance the overall user experience. Experiment with different types of rewards, analyze the results and refine your approach based on what resonates best with your audience.

Remember, the key is to add value and create a positive association with your brand. With the right rewards, your follow-up emails can transform from overlooked messages into eagerly anticipated opportunities for engagement and action.

Happy emailing!