How should I gradually increase my email send frequency to a B2B list without causing unsubscribes?
Summary
What email marketers say11Marketer opinions
Email marketer from Email Geeks suggests making an effort to communicate frequency changes to subscribers, possibly with a quick message at the top of the newsletter. They acknowledge that it's unclear if subscribers read or care about these messages, but they believe that those who pay attention appreciate the heads up. They also mention implementing changes in steps rather than dramatically, especially for B2C.
Email marketer from Email Geeks suggests playing it slow when increasing send frequency to avoid a spike in unsubscribes. They recommend testing with a MWF schedule first and expanding based on data. For e-commerce, they suggest using special emails on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Email marketer from Neil Patel's Blog highlights that personalizing email content can help mitigate unsubscribes when increasing frequency. Tailoring content to individual subscriber interests and preferences can increase engagement and make them less likely to unsubscribe.
Email marketer from HubSpot Blog shares A/B testing different email frequencies to determine the optimal sending schedule for your audience. They advise creating two segments of your list and sending emails at different frequencies to each segment, then measuring the results to see which frequency performs best.
Email marketer from Reddit suggests increasing sending volume in small increments. They recommend starting with a 10-15% increase each week and monitoring metrics closely before increasing further. They also emphasize the importance of having a clear unsubscribe process and making it easy for subscribers to opt-out.
Email marketer from EmailToolTester emphasizes the importance of communicating with your subscribers about the upcoming changes in email frequency. They explain that explain the reasons for the change and allowing them to adjust their preferences or unsubscribe if they wish can minimise unsubscribes.
Email marketer from LinkedIn shares that subscriber engagement is key when increasing frequency. Ensure your content remains valuable and relevant with the increased sends, or risk losing your audience.
Email marketer from ActiveCampaign Blog shares segmenting your list based on engagement levels and gradually increasing frequency for the most engaged segments first. This allows you to test the waters and identify potential issues before rolling out the increased frequency to your entire list.
Email marketer from MailerLite Blog explains that warming up your send frequency involves gradually increasing the volume of emails you send to establish a positive sender reputation. Start with a small segment of your most engaged subscribers and gradually increase the number of recipients over time. Monitor your metrics closely and adjust your approach as needed.
Email marketer from Email Geeks emphasizes the need to communicate the anticipated increase in frequency clearly and repeatedly before implementing it. Unexpected frequency is a major reason for spam complaints, even from opted-in users. They also suggest explaining the rationale behind the increased frequency to avoid a 'bait and switch' perception.
Email marketer from Marketing Over Coffee Podcast recommends running re-engagement campaigns to identify and remove inactive subscribers before increasing email frequency. They explain that this can help improve your overall engagement metrics and reduce the likelihood of unsubscribes.
What the experts say5Expert opinions
Expert from Email Geeks shares an example of a client who successfully launched a daily newsletter to medical professionals with a curated summary of COVID news, highlighting that if subscribers like and are happy with the content, increased frequency may not negatively impact deliverability. They note that, in the worst case, you might get unsubscribes.
Expert from Word to the Wise responds by emphasizing the importance of content relevance. Any increase in frequency needs to deliver genuinely valuable content that meets subscriber needs, otherwise, unsubscribes will certainly rise.
Expert from Email Geeks explains that while generic best practices are helpful, there are cases where doing something different can lead to massive success, emphasizing the importance of knowing your specific program and audience.
Expert from Spam Resource explains that closely monitoring subscriber engagement metrics is crucial. Increased frequency needs to be supported by sustained or improved engagement to avoid negative repercussions.
Expert from Email Geeks explains the importance of managing recipient expectations when increasing send frequency. It is not purely a deliverability issue but rather a matter of keeping subscribers happy and engaged.
What the documentation says4Technical articles
Documentation from RFC mentions the need to monitor feedback loops from ISPs when increasing sending frequency. They explain how feedback loops can provide valuable information about subscriber complaints and help you identify potential issues with your email program.
Documentation from SparkPost details analyzing existing sending patterns is important. Understand your audience behavior before making frequency changes. For example are they more active mon-fri?
Documentation from Google Postmaster Tools highlights the importance of a consistent sending volume. They explain to avoid sudden spikes in email frequency, which can negatively impact your sender reputation. Instead, gradually increase your sending volume over time, paying attention to recipient engagement and feedback loops.
Documentation from Microsoft Docs recommends monitoring your sender reputation closely when increasing email frequency. They suggest paying attention to bounce rates, complaint rates, and engagement metrics to identify any potential problems early on.