Texting, Slacking and Chat are great for speedy messaging, but email is still one of the most powerful tools we have. It’s also one of the easiest ways to get ignored. In fact, a recent poll found that 60.8% of employees ignore emails at work. Want to make sure your email never gets read? Follow these five foolproof tactics. (Of course, we suggest you do the opposite!)
1. Use a vague, lengthy, or spammy subject line
The subject line is your first impression. So, if your goal is to stay buried in the inbox, go with something like:
- “Update”
- “OPEN IMMEDIATELY!!!”
- “This email is in regards to the feedback received in the latest employee survey”
- Or no subject at all (a classic)
On the flip side: If you actually want to grab attention, make your subject line specific, relevant, and brief (no more than 50 characters ). Think of it as a headline—give people a reason to care. And if you use emojis, go with just one per subject line.
2. Bury the main point in paragraph 4
Want to test your reader’s endurance? Hide the point of your email under a mountain of context, background, and disclaimers. Make them work for it. Better yet, write like you’re being paid by the word.
But here’s a tip if you want to be read: Lead with what matters most. Busy people scan, so front-load your emails with value. Be clear. Be brief. Be useful.
3. Write a wall of text (Bonus: no formatting!)
Everyone loves a good challenge, right? Send your email as one long, uninterrupted block of text. No paragraphs. No headers. No bullet points. Just a glorious chunk of copy.
Or try the more user-friendly route: Break your message into digestible sections. Use line breaks, bullets, bolding, or even icons or emojis (sparingly) to guide the eye.
4. Forget who your audience is
A great way to be ignored is to ignore your audience. Send the same email to everyone, regardless of their role, interests, or what they’ve heard from you before. Use jargon or insider lingo that leaves readers confused—or worse, annoyed.
If, instead, you’d like to connect, consider who your audience is. Customize your message (personalized emails have an 82% higher open rate than generic ones). Segment your audiences. Use a tone and language that matches their world. Even a simple “Hi [Name]” goes a long way.
5. End with nothing
Want to ensure no one responds? Don’t ask for anything. Just sign off with a vague “Let me know if you have questions,” and disappear into the void.
Or: If you’re writing with a goal—whether it’s scheduling a meeting, getting feedback, or sharing resources—be clear about what you want and when you want it. One simple, specific call to action is all it takes.
Final thoughts
Inboxes are battlefields of competing priorities. So, if you want your email to actually get read (and acted on), ditch the lame subject lines, the lengthy expositions, and the Word Scramble formatting.
Communicate with purpose. Respect your reader’s time. And remember: Clarity isn’t just kind—it’s effective.
Want help making your communications more effective—whether it’s emails, newsletters, or full-on campaigns? We’re offering a free, 30-minute consultation to talk through your current comms challenges. Let’s make sure your message doesn’t just get sent—it gets heard.
