You’d likely think I initiated the first email given the RE: in the subject line. Nope!

Response rates for traditional emails range widely from 3 to as high as 34%. The high range represents personalization, relevant, and customized content, including subject lines. This engagement strategy requires much hypothesis testing, learning, refinement and optimization. The low likely results in poor content management and subject lines that are not valuable.

I couldn’t find any research to estimate this reply tactic. Perhaps >34% is my best guess given the relevancy to my industry.

Either way, this is a sneaky and a tacky attempt to create an action of open. I didn’t click through or even read more than headline. I imagine click through rate is <1%.

Is the open, generating more awareness worth the low engagement in content. I don’t believe so. Click through to a free offer, discount or more robust information relevant for customer is the ultimate marketing goal for email.

Sneaky, poor taste. No thank you!