There is nothing like the Warrior Forum for a good debate. The other day, one member brought up the topic of using RE: when sending emails to your list. This member categorically claims that it’s a scam and that the person using it is trying to commit some kind of fraud or worse. Well, let’s take a look at this subject and see if we can’t come up with some answers that make sense.

First of all, the interpretation of RE: by most marketers is incorrect to begin with. They take it to mean in reply to when in fact it means regarding. For example, if I were to say, “Replying to your previous email” that would specifically indicate a reply. However, if I were to say, “RE: The Recent Changes At Aweber” that does not mean I’m replying to anything you said. It only means that the email I am sending is in regard to the changes that Aweber just made. Nothing more, nothing less.

However, having said that, it doesn’t really matter what the technical meaning of RE: is. What does matter is the perception that YOUR list has in regard to your using it. If your list is composed mostly of other Internet marketers, regardless of the rest of the subject line, they are more apt to take it as you trying to make them think that this email is in reply to something they sent you and will react accordingly. That reaction can be anything from a nasty email in return to a simple unsubscribe.

In non IM niches, such as health, the reaction may not be as vile. Most non marketers don’t get so anal about things like that. The reason, and this is what baffles me, is that marketers hate being marketed to. So they’ll look for any reason at all the slam you into the ground. At least that has been my personal experience. Not everyone is like that, but many are. Get used to it.

Okay, but how do we handle this? Do we use RE: or do we stay away from it? The only answer I can give you that makes any sense at all is this…test it. You will find, depending on the niche you’re in, that you will get different results with each one.

Having said that, using RE: appears to work well as many big name marketers use it. However, appearances can be deceiving, which is why I say test it for yourself and see if it either increases your open rate or increases your opt out rate. From those results, you’ll know whether or not using RE: is something you want to do. Remember, it doesn’t matter what the reality of using it means. What matters is the perception of your list. Right or wrong…they’re the ones who decide whether or not they remain subscribers.

To YOUR Success,

Steven Wagenheim

Tired of not getting your emails delivered, read or opened? Sick of not making any sales from your email marketing efforts? Visit my site at http://www.stevewagenheim.com/emailmarketing/index.html and get your hands on 5 years of my personal experience with email marketing…experience that has earned me tens of thousands of dollars yearly.