Why your emails are being ignored (and how to fix it with email psychology)

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I’ve been working on email marketing projects for some clients, and it highlighted that many entrepreneurs are struggling with their email marketing.

Yeah, even with ChatGPT and it’s other AI mates!

Some entrepreneurs don’t know what’s working, what isn’t, why not, or how to fix it. Full disclosure, I’ve been there too! ​

Are you struggling with email engagement? ​

A key thing (I’ve learnt) and realised that many business owners don’t think more about, is email psychology! Yes, it’s a real thing….promise.

But I get it, you probably don’t have the time, with the million and one things tackle on your business to do list.

So, I’ll share a few things below for you to ponder 😊.

The paradox

You’re working hard to grow your email list because you know it’s a vital lifeline for your business.

They signed up voluntarily: Your subscribers actively chose to hear from you.

Yet they ignore your emails: Your carefully crafted messages remain unopened or opened but no one takes action.

Why?

Attention psychology

You have to understand how our brains process information in an age of digital overwhelm.

Decision fatigue: Your message is fighting to be read in a busy inbox and occupy space in your reader’s overloaded mind.

Value calculation: When your email lands in their inboxes, subscribers are unconsciously assessing, “Will opening this email benefit me more than the time it takes to read it?”

Pattern recognition: Our brains quickly categorise emails based on past experiences. If your previous emails weren’t rewarding, new ones get automatically filtered out.

Reasons your emails are being ignored

· Poor timing

· Boring subject lines

· Irrelevant content

· Your impersonal approach

· Unmet expectations on what the email provided

Of course, you should be contacting your list regularly to satisfy THEIR needs and not just out of the blue when you have something to sell.

Here are some solutions

Encourage subscribers to open your emails by:

Segmenting your list: so, subscribers receive content tailored to their specific interests.

Writing engaging subject lines: that create curiosity gaps, specific numbers or ask intriguing questions.

Shake things up a bit: send an email in a different format or a different type of subject line from your usual style, this can reset attention and curiosity.

Tell stories in your emails, don’t just give updates: Emails that follow narrative patterns trigger deeper emotional engagement and create anticipation for the next email in the sequence.

Rather than sending sporadic emails here and there, when you have a spare moment: Create strategic email sequences that establish expectations and build anticipation.

Next steps on your email transformation plan

There is so much you can do, but we’re not about going down rabbit holes on this blog!

We’re about having clear structured strategies and implementing tactics that work.

Audit your current performance
Identify your top-performing emails and what makes them work. Look for patterns in what gets ignored.

If you’re not sure where to start, check out my services & resources page.

Segment your list
Divide subscribers based on interests, behaviour, or where they are in their buying journey with your business.

Create core sequences
Develop welcome, nurture, and conversion sequences tailored to each segment.

Test and optimise
Continuously experiment with subject lines, content formats, and the best send times to improve engagement.

We can dive so much deeper into this topic, but I’ll stop here for now!

Just take two actions today, you can’t do it all in a day, so just do a couple of things.

Check out my free guide on the key email sequences you need in your business and then revise your most important email sequence.

Even one improved email can make a difference.

P.S.
​If you want other insights with examples, check out my YouTube video: Why your emails get ignored (and how to fix it).​

Adelina, Your Content Marketing Strategist