If someone told you a 25% email open rate is “amazing,” I’m going to be the friend who says… no, sorry, it’s not. In this episode, I break down why aiming for “industry average” keeps you invisible, how low opens tank your deliverability over time, and the exact moves I use to keep my list opening at 40–50% on the regular. If you want your emails to actually get read—and lead to sales—this one’s for you.
Key Takeaways
- Average isn’t the goal. A 25–31% open rate might be “normal,” but it’s not what’s possible—and it hurts future deliverability.
- List size ≠ influence. If 3 out of 4 subscribers ignore you, you’re paying to email people who don’t care. Trim the dead weight.
- Deliverability is earned. Consistently low engagement tells Gmail/Outlook/Yahoo to bury your emails. Fix the inputs to change the outcomes.
- Clickbait isn’t strategy. Write subject lines that spark curiosity without screaming “spam.”
- Relevance wins. Give people what they actually signed up for—consistent value in your real voice.
Thrive in 5
Take five minutes to improve your opens today:
- Purge inactive subscribers. Create a segment for anyone who hasn’t opened in 90 days (and has been on your list at least 90 days). Remove them with love.
- Refresh 3 subject lines. Rewrite recent “meh” subjects to add intrigue or specificity. No all caps. No fake urgency.
- Authenticate your domain. Make sure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are set up for your sending domain. Your email service provider should have instructions on how to make sure your domain is set up to send properly.
- Match the promise. Check your freebie -> welcome -> nurture flow. Are you emailing about what people actually came for? And is it something they actually want to read?
- Add real-person touches. Use plain-language intros, a clear POV, and one story or example that proves you’re paying attention.
Ready to trade “industry average” for influence?
- Work with me 1:1 if you want direct, data-backed guidance and implementation.
- The Shortcut is my done-for-you build where I set up the systems that boost deliverability and conversions, AND provide the strategic coaching to help you reach your goals.
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