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By all means, optimize your email headlines… increase open rates, response rates and so on.
But, when it comes to the point where your customers might simply feel decieved after opening your emails, I think it might have gone a little too far.
I saw this in my email inbox this morning:
“RE: Support Response #18846″
And the rest of the email went on like a typical salesy email.
And I’m like…
“Dude, really?”
If you can’t get your customers to open your emails without faking a support response, it might be time to take a look at what the hell you’re doing with your business.
Just… THINK a little before doing stupid shit. Especially if you’re a big shot internet marketer with lists in the tens or hundreds of thousands.
Or well, that’s what I think.
Linus
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Linus,
great post.
Unfortunately I have had a lot of emails sent like this. It does make me laugh. My personal hate is the nigerian scams. Most of them can’t talk english and start their letters of like “Your email has been awarded… Microsoft/Yahoo Competition… Action required for your inheritance” lol I use Hotmail. I just wish when I press Junk it destroys any further communication from that email.
Yes I have received the exact support request email. I know I have not emailed support so I do not open them. I must be on someone’s opt in news list with some of these spam email campaign signs that don’t allow opt outs. I get the same email all the time from different companies requesting I check out their product. Who on earth is going to buy a product from a sham company awho believes in sending spam emails. Honestly they are just stupid. What a waste.
‘With great power comes great responsibility’ Bigger your mail list , bigger the number of ppl u piss off with that kinda mail.People should realize that such mails will only generate ‘hits’ to their reptation.
Cheers :)
Your example was great. Of course, “phishing” emails are there to try to get your personal information. Malicious emails are sent with the hope you’ll open them and infect your computer with some horrendous virus or another.
But these phony, “official sounding” emails are ridiculous. So I open it… big deal. Either I’m interested or I’m not. If I’m not, I am not going to buy whatever junk you’re selling, anyway. And if I am interested, you may as well use an accurate subject line; I’m likely to open it BECAUSE I’m already interested.
I get the same email all the time from different companies requesting I check out their product. Most of them can’t talk english and start their letters
I get these all the time too – so irritating! And I agree, what’s the point in the Hotmail ‘Junk’ option getting rid of that particular email but letting more of the same in? There must be a better way of getting rid of them for good…?
I am too a victim of such mails.These emails may appear to be from legitimate companies like eBay, PayPal or a bank. They may well look very real since they often use the logos of the companies they are pretending to be. They will very often say something is amiss with your account and you need to provide additional personal information or security verification. Don’t be fooled.Do not respond to these emails and do not click on any links in the body of the email message.