Ever sent an email and got left on “read?” Maybe you’re coming on too strong. Let’s fix that.  

Email marketing and dating have more in common than you think. First impressions matter, no one likes to be bombarded, and ghosting happens when you push too hard. 

We’ve all been there. You sign up for a tool, software, or product, and suddenly, you’re drowning in emails you never asked for. Even as marketers, we’re guilty of this. But what happens? Our emails get ignored, deleted, or worse, sent straight to spam. Ouch. 

 As a marketer and content writer, I love experimenting with different copy styles and hooks while staying authentic. Email marketing is like being in a relationship—you must find the right way to communicate, adjust your approach, and meet your audience halfway. 

Through years of sending emails, I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t. Sometimes it’s hit or miss. Even if audiences are in the same industry, they’re still human. They respond to what’s relatable, what emotionally triggers them, and what provides solutions. 

I’ve run email campaigns that flopped because I focused too much on "as long as the topic is relevant," without realizing my emails sounded robotic. One campaign had a 24% open rate, while another hit 96%. The difference? I learned from my audience’s behavior and stopped making the mistakes they hated.

If you want to avoid those mistakes, here are some key things to keep in mind: 

The 3 Biggest Email Turn-Offs (A.K.A. Why They're Ignoring You)

1. You’re Being Too Clingy

• Sending daily emails with no real value is like texting "Hey" ten times in a row. It’s annoying and desperate. 

• Give people space, not every email needs to be a sales pitch. 

• If your audience starts ignoring you, dial it back.

2. You’re Talking About Yourself Too Much 

• No one likes a date who only talks about themselves. The same goes for emails. 

• Instead of constantly promoting your product, focus on your audience’s needs. 

• Provide value first, tips, insights, or solutions they care about.

3. You’re Making It Too Hard to Break Up 

• Not having an easy-to-find unsubscribe button is a red flag. 

• Forcing people to jump through hoops to unsubscribe makes them dislike your brand. 

• Make it easy to opt-out, if they leave on good terms, they might come back.

How to Write Emails That Make Them Swipe Right 

1. Personalization = Attraction 

• Use their name, past interactions, and preferences to craft emails that feel personal. 

• Segment your list to ensure the right messages reach the right people. 

• Send content that makes them feel like you’re speaking directly to them.

2. Tease, Don’t Overshare 

• Your subject line should spark curiosity, not give everything away. 

• Example: Instead of "5 Tips to Boost Open Rates," try "This One Trick Boosted Our Open Rates by 42%." 

• Keep them wanting more so they actually open the email. 

3. Keep It Casual 

• Write like a human, not a corporate robot. 

• No one wants to read an email that sounds like it was generated by AI or a legal team. 

• Keep it simple, engaging, and easy to read.

The Art of Playing It Cool (Automation That Works Without Being Annoying)

1. Welcome Emails Done Right 

• Think of this as your first impression, don’t overwhelm, just be interesting. 

• Introduce yourself and let them know what to expect. 

• Give them a reason to stay subscribed. 

2. Follow-Ups That Feel Natural 

• Wait at least 3-5 days before re-engaging instead of spamming. 

• If they didn’t open your email, tweak your subject line and try again. 

• Offer something new instead of repeating the same message. 

3. Segmenting = Relationship Levels 

• Not all subscribers are the same. Keep leads, customers, and VIPs in separate lists. 

• Tailor content based on where they are in the customer journey. 

• The more relevant your email, the higher the chance they engage.

The Golden Rule: Make It About Them, Not You

Instead of: 

• "We just launched a new feature, check it out!" 

Try: 

• "Here’s a new way to save time on [insert pain point your audience has." 

People don’t care about your features; they care about how those features help them.

Final Thought 

Email marketing isn’t about forcing your way into inboxes. It’s about earning a spot in your audience's attention. Play it cool, be valuable, and they’ll want to hear from you. 

Authenticity + a data-driven approach = email marketing success. Don’t be afraid to experiment, check your data, and adjust based on how your audience responds. 

Check out this guide