Get a free digital strategy tip of the week:
Unsubscribe any time. We respect your data. View the privacy policy.
Well-designed email templates are greeeat. But even the best layouts can lull readers into complacency over time. Consider mixing up your formatting occasionally
When it comes to targeting the best supporters for specific activities, many of us are using (or have used) the sub-list model.
Whether your call to action (CTA) is a button or a link, don’t get too clever. Speak directly to your supporter and tell
Your reader trusts their own mind way more than they trust yours. No offense but it’s true. Knowing this, try to avoid
So you’ve cracked the code to writing a great email. The next step is to push it out to as many people
How does the past experience of people on your list influence their interest in receiving ongoing email from you? It turns out
Bolding the odd word or phrase can help skim readers catch key ideas you don’t want them to miss. It’s also great for
Whatever you do—don’t just imagine your headline on your page itself. Consider how your headline performs without the rest of your page to
If we want to get the most out of email, we need to make it personal. If every message we send sounds
Whether you’re seeking donations or actions, the formula for writing an effective CTA is pretty simple. To persuade your supporter to drop
On the surface, it looks like the purpose of a title is to introduce the content of a webpage. But of course—you
Don’t wait for supporter fatigue to set in before creating a plan to mitigate it. Nice idea, right? Most of us only recognize
Consider the moment before your supporter decides whether to open your email. They must sacrifice something in order to give you their attention.
It doesn’t matter if you’re writing an email, a blog post, or a tweet—the full gamut of attention-seeking and attention-keeping tactics apply. Social
Your organization and its communication style is unique. Defining it will consolidate expertise, build confidence, and help you and your co-communicators hone an
Take your time.
In the pursuit of saying more with less, I’ll admit—not every big idea can be reduced to a snappy soundbite. Sometimes there really is a lot to say. Still, there are better options than trying to say everything in one interaction. Readers will find it hard to retain dense information. And rarely do we need to place this much pressure on ourselves.
Pace yourself
Whether you’re communicating through your email list or your social media feed, remember that you’re in an ongoing relationship with your audience. You don’t just get one shot at this. When there’s a lot to say, try saying it over a series of linked emails, web pages, or social media posts. Break up your content into bite-sized ideas and deliver them over time to deepen impact. This will reach more people and give each idea its own time and space to resonate.
Think of digital communications like conversations, not lectures. Be the conversation partner that your supporter wants to come back to.
Was this tip useful?
Don’t let these ‘cognitive biases’ hurt your conversion rates 
One email. ONE ASK. 
12 ways to maximize your list building strategy 
Do you know why you’re building an email list? 
Hi there! I’m Karen. I’m on a mission to reach my former self. Had I known 10 years ago what I know today, I could have achieved more good, made fewer mistakes, and had more weekends. Every time we share what works, we win faster. Let’s create digital experiences that move people — that grow our base and fuel our movements. Are you with me? Please share this with someone you know who wants to up their digital game!
Like this tip? Share it!
