🚀 Boost Open Rates FAST With These Tricks

Hey, it’s Ray.

If you’ve been following my newsletters, you know we’ve already talked about segmentation, personalization, and avoiding the spam folder. 

I’ve shared my go-to strategies for making sure your emails land where they should; the inbox.

But today?

We’re bringing it all together.

I want to talk about something I’m super passionate about because it’s a game-changer, open rates.

I’ve spent years fine-tuning my email strategies, testing different subject lines, playing with send times, and tweaking my segmentation to get better results. 

And trust me, when you get it right, it’s a night-and-day difference.

So, let’s dive in. 

I’m about to share everything I’ve learned to boost open rates and drive real engagement.

What I’ve Learned About Open Rates (And Why They Matter)

Open rates are your first indicator of how well your email strategy is working.

But here’s what I’ve realized after working with countless brands: It’s not just about getting people to open your emails.

It’s about:

• Crafting subject lines that grab attention immediately.

• Sending at the perfect time when your audience is most likely to engage.

• Building trust so your subscribers actually want to open your emails.

When you dial these in, open rates go up, and revenue follows.

Why Open Rates Can Make or Break Your Email Strategy

I’ve seen firsthand how a drop in open rates can signal deeper problems.

Low open rates can mean:

❌ Your content isn’t resonating.
❌ Your list is disengaged.
❌ Or worse, your emails are landing in spam.

On the flip side?

High open rates mean you’re doing something right. 

Your audience is engaged, your emails are relevant, and your sender reputation stays solid.

When I helped one eCommerce brand clean their list and tweak their segmentation, we saw open rates jump by 138% increase in open rates! 

That’s the power of getting this stuff right.

Here’s What I’ve Found Influences Open Rates the Most

Over the years, I’ve learned that open rates aren’t random.

Here’s what makes or breaks them:

✅ Subject Line Appeal
This is your first impression. 

I’ve tested hundreds (probably thousands!) of subject lines, and what works best? 

Curiosity + Benefit + Urgency.

✅ Sender Reputation
If ESPs (like Gmail and Outlook) don’t trust your domain, your emails will get buried. 

I always make sure to authenticate domains with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.

✅ The Right Send Times
Timing can make or break your open rate. 

I’ve tested different days and times for different lists, and let me tell you, send time matters more than you think.

✅ Email Frequency
Too many emails? People tune out. 

Too few? They forget you exist. 

Finding that balance has been key for keeping engagement high.

✅ Audience Segmentation
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, segmentation is everything. 

Sending the right message to the right people at the right time? 

That’s where the magic happens.

So, What’s Considered a ‘Good’ Open Rate?

I get this question all the time.

“Ray, what’s a good open rate?”

Here’s the truth. It depends.

For most brands I work with, an average open rate ranges from 30% to 45%, but that’s not the full story.

Factors like:

• Your industry

• The type of emails you’re sending (promos vs. transactional)

• How engaged your list is

All of these can affect what’s “good” for your business.

Not bad, right? 

But here’s the thing, you can do better with the right subject lines, segmentation, and timing. 

I’ve seen brands push past this benchmark by focusing on these key areas.

My advice? 

Don’t obsess over the percentage. Focus on consistency and improvement over time.

How I’ve Boosted Open Rates (And You Can Too!)

Here’s what’s worked for me and my clients:

1. Crafting Irresistible Subject Lines
I’m constantly testing subject lines. 

The best ones create curiosity, highlight a clear benefit, and add just enough urgency to make opening feel irresistible.

2. Optimizing Send Times
I’ve run A/B tests on send times across different industries. 

While Tuesdays and Thursdays often perform well, I’ve learned that your list might surprise you. Test, test, test.

3. Personalizing Beyond First Names
Personalization isn’t just about using someone’s name. 

I’ve seen huge lifts in open rates by personalizing based on past purchases, behavior, and preferences.

4. A/B Testing (Nonstop!)
Every brand I’ve worked with has seen results improve once we started consistently A/B testing. 

Subject lines, preview text, send times, you name it, I’ve tested it.

5. Segmenting for Maximum Relevance
The more relevant your emails, the higher your open rates. 

I’ve segmented lists by behavior, location, and even purchase history to keep emails hyper-targeted.

Mistakes I’ve Learned to Avoid

Trust me, I’ve made these mistakes so you don’t have to:

❌ Ignoring Mobile Optimization
Over 60% of emails are opened on mobile. 

If your emails don’t look good on a phone, you’re losing out.

❌ Neglecting List Hygiene
A cluttered list kills your open rates. 

I’ve seen huge improvements by regularly cleaning lists and removing disengaged subscribers.

❌ Overlooking Preheader Text
Preheader text is prime real estate. 

I’ve learned that a strong preheader can boost open rates almost as much as a good subject line.

Analyzing Open Rates and What I Pay Attention To

Here’s something I tell all my clients…

Open rates alone don’t tell the whole story.

I always compare open rates with:

•  Click-through rates to see if the content resonates.

•  Unsubscribe rates to check for audience fatigue.

•  Revenue per recipient to ensure we’re driving results.

Context is everything. 

Open rates are just one piece of the puzzle, and I make sure to look at the big picture before making any changes.

Why Open Rates Is More Than Just a Number

When I started paying closer attention to open rates, I realized they were about so much more than just a percentage.

They tell you:

✅ How engaged your audience is
✅ Whether your subject lines are hitting the mark
✅ If your sender reputation is holding strong

Boosting open rates isn’t just about vanity metrics, it’s about creating emails that people actually WANT to read.

Let’s Get Your Open Rates Soaring

I know how frustrating it is when you’re putting in all this effort.

Crafting killer emails, segmenting your list, and timing your sends, only to see disappointing open rates.

That’s exactly why I’m sharing these tricks with you. 

I’ve tested these strategies over the years, and they’ve consistently helped my clients (and my own emails) get better results, fast.

Need a little extra help?

No worries. 

Try these tips and let me know how they work, or if you’re ready to take things to the next level, we can tackle it together.

Cheers,

Raymond Chen,
Founder & CEO, 11 Agency

Want to Master Email Marketing? Let’s Do This.

If this sounds like a lot to manage, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.

There’s a lot that goes into building a high-converting email strategy. 

If you’re serious about optimizing your email marketing, let’s talk. 

Here’s what we can do:

✅ Done-for-You Email Strategy: If you’re ready to scale but don’t have the time, we’ll build out a full email system that maximizes your revenue. You can book a call with me here. 

✅ Or, if you just want to grab a free resource, get a FREE 10-page KPI audit and a 128-point health scorecard to optimize your email marketing. Get it here!

More Ways to Level Up Your Email Game

If you’re up about boosting your email game, I’ve got a few more gems for you:

📺 Watch My Latest YouTube Video!

Want to boost sales with abandoned cart and checkout flows? In my latest YouTube video, I break down how to actually create high-converting flows that recover lost revenue. This step-by-step guide covers everything you need to know to turn abandoned carts into completed purchases. 👉 Watch it here!

📝 Master the Art of Subject Lines with These Proven Formulas
Struggling to get your emails opened? You’re not alone. Many brands lose out on engagement because their subject lines don’t grab attention.

Our lead email copywriter, Lawrence Soliman, has broken down 7 effective subject line formulas that consistently boost open rates and drive better results. Want to see which formulas work best? 👉 Read the blog here: 7 Effective Subject Line Formulas to Boost Your Open Rates

💡 Let’s Connect on LinkedIn
I share daily email marketing tips, behind-the-scenes insights, and strategies that actually work. If you’re looking for extra value beyond this newsletter, let’s connect!👉  Follow me here.