Are email marketing mistakes costing you customers? You craft emails expecting engagement, but they go unread. No clicks, no replies, and sometimes, people even unsubscribe.
Small mistakes can have a big impact. Without realizing it, you might be pushing potential customers away.
We’ll walk you through 7 common email marketing mistakes to avoid and how to fix them.
1. Sending Generic Emails With No Personalization
You should start with “Dear Customer” in your email since it lets the reader know it’s not written for them! Generic email gets ignored. People want personal messages.
How to Fix It:
- Use first names in subject lines and greetings.
- Organize your list by location, past purchases, and interests.
- Make your emails relevant by focusing on what they care about.
2. Weak Subject Lines That Get Ignored
If your subject line does not grab the attention of those reading your email, then your email will not be opened.
How to Fix It:
Try to keep it short and clear (under 50 characters).
- Specifics are key. Tell them exactly what they’ll get.
- If you can, use numbers. For instance: “3 Landscaping Tips to Save You Time This Summer.”
3. Sending Too Many Promotional Emails
You’ll lose people if you keep sending them discounts or sales. Too many promotions will make your email seem like spam.
How to Fix It:
- Don’t forget the 80/20 rule. 80 percent value, 20 percent promotion.
- Make sure you share helpful content like seasonal landscaping tips.
- Make promotions feel exclusive by making them feel special.
4. Inconsistent Sending Schedule
Some businesses send emails too frequently. Others barely send any at all. Both can hurt engagement. If you disappear for months, people will forget about you. If you email too often, they’ll unsubscribe.
How to Fix It:
- Stick to a set schedule (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly).
- Test different days and times to see when your audience engages most.
- Use automation to keep emails going out on time.
5. Ignoring Mobile Optimization
Most people check their emails on their phones. If your email doesn’t display well on mobile, they won’t read it. Small fonts, broken images, or buttons that don’t work on a phone screen will drive customers away.
How to Fix It:
- Make your emails responsive so they’ll fit on any screen.
- Keep subject lines short so they don’t get cut off.
- Call-to-action buttons should be big and easy to click.
6. No Clear Call to Action (CTA)
CTAs help you convert readers into customers. They won’t take action if your email doesn’t tell them what to do next.
How to Fix It:
- Don’t just link to your CTA; use a button.
- Make sure the words you use are action-driven. Say “Book a Free Estimate” instead of “Click Here.”
- Limit it to one CTA per email. Too many options make it confusing.
7. Not Tracking Email Performance
If you don’t track how your emails are performing, you won’t know what’s working. Are people opening your emails? Are they clicking on your links? Without data, you’re just guessing.
How to Fix It:
- Check your open rates to see if the subject lines are effective.
- Track click-through rates to measure engagement.
- Monitor unsubscribe rates to spot problems early.
Check out our detailed guide on Best Practices to Increase Email Marketing Results in 2025 for more details.
How RBS Can Help You Avoid Common Email Marketing Mistakes
Avoiding email marketing mistakes takes time and expertise. At Ready Business Systems, we help businesses get better results with smart email marketing strategies.
Our Email Marketing Services Include:
- Make custom email campaigns for your audience
- Automated email scheduling so you never miss a thing
- Boost your email performance with performance tracking
Final Thoughts
Common email marketing mistakes can cost you leads, but the good news is they are easy to fix.
Email marketing becomes a powerful tool for your business when you personalize emails, improve subject lines, and track performance.
Ready Business Systems provides expert email marketing solutions designed for real results. Let RBS handle your emails so you can focus on growing your business.
