Are you writing email marketing messages that suck? I’m not talking so much about the ‘message’ in your email but rather how the email is written.

I’m a subscriber of many marketers’ email lists so I can keep track of the latest developments across the web or because they send out some amazing content.

Here’s the thing, some marketers send out emails that have messages that look like this to try and get past the spam filters:

Grab your f.ree report…

Your f/ree report is ready…

Start making making m.oney…

They may even include a symbol instead of a word in an attempt to fool the spam filters (I doubt that it actually does and is probably more likely to get your message filtered). I’m sure that you’ve come across a similar emails by now, honestly, I bet they don’t leave you with a good impression no matter who it was from.

Here is my problem with this, firstly, the emails look extremely unprofessional, and secondly, ESP’s like AWeber have built in tools to test your spam score before you send your messages.

I understand how important it is to get your message in front of your customers but if you are sending a message with f.ree or m.oney in the subject line and email body text, then your message may just get past the spam filters but it is going to look like spam to your subscribers all the same.

It does not take that much time to think of alternative words to use in place of words that may trigger the spam filters, sending your message to the spam folder; try using ‘no cost’ instead of ‘free’; you get the picture.

Another trend I have seen is affiliate marketers grabbing the pre-written emails for an affiliate product and sending it our without making any alterations even when the message includes the use of misspellings.

If you are an affiliate marketer, take the time to customise the message and attach your own personal flair. If your subscribers are on the email lists of many marketers you’d be surprised how many of the same message they will get on the launch day of a big product, all with the exact same message.

Remember, every time you send out an email on behalf of your company or an affiliate promotion, it is your reputation and your credibility that you may be damaging by misspelling words or adding extra symbols to try to game the spam filters.

If you would like to test your emails for their spam scores before you send them then I recommend you grab an account with AWeber.

NOTE: This post was featured on Marketing Profs and you can read the article here: Don’t Do This.

To your email promotion success,

Karl Foxley

P.s. If you want to learn of the art of writing emails that sell I recommend you take a copywriting course. One of the best courses on the Internet for these economically strapped times is Five Minute Copywriting by Robert Plank.

photo credit: Nancy Wombat