20 Shocking Email Copywriting Mistakes You Should Avoid

These email copywriting mistakes might be costing you sales. Here’s how to avoid them.

Ever stared at your email campaign stats and wondered why your open rates are lower than a limbo stick at a beach party? You’re not alone! Even seasoned copywriters sometimes stumble when crafting email campaigns.

But here’s the good news: avoiding these common email copywriting mistakes can skyrocket your engagement faster than you can say “click-through rate.”

10 Shocking Email Copywriting Mistakes You Should Avoid

Did you know that the average professional receives 121 emails per day? That’s why your copy needs to stand out! Let’s dive into the top email copywriting mistakes that might be sabotaging your success.

1. Subject Lines That Put People to Sleep

Remember that time you dozed off reading your own email subject line? Just kidding! But your subscribers might be doing exactly that. Your subject line is like the headline of a newspaper – it either grabs attention or gets ignored.

The biggest mistake? Playing it too safe with boring, generic subject lines like “Monthly Newsletter” or “Company Update.” Instead, tap into your creative genius! Use power words, create curiosity gaps, or add a dash of personality. For instance, instead of “Tips for Better Email Marketing,” try “Warning: These Email Mistakes Cost Me $10K (Don’t Be Like Me).”

Speaking of costly email copywriting mistakes, want to know what’s even worse than a snooze-worthy subject line?

2. The “Me, Me, Me” Syndrome

Here’s a shocking stat: 70% of brands talk about themselves too much in their emails. Ouch! It’s like being stuck at a dinner party with that one person who can’t stop bragging about their CrossFit achievements.

Your subscribers don’t care about your company’s latest award or how many years you’ve been in business. They care about one thing: “What’s in it for me?” Transform your copy from company-centric to customer-centric. Instead of “We’re excited to announce our new feature,” try “You’ll save 3 hours every week with this new time-saving tool.”

But wait – there’s another mistake lurking around the corner that might be even more dangerous…

3. The Great Wall of Text

Picture this: Your subscriber opens your email and sees paragraphs longer than a CVS receipt. What do they do? Hit delete!”

In today’s attention-deficit world, you need to make your emails scannable. Break up those text blocks into bite-sized chunks. Use white space like it’s your best friend. Think of your email as a delicious sandwich – nobody wants to eat it all in one bite!

Want to know what makes email scanning even harder?

4. Inconsistent Brand Voice

One day you’re formal and professional, the next you’re throwing around slang like a teenager at a TikTok convention. This email copywriting mistake is like showing up to a black-tie event in beach shorts – it just feels wrong!

Your brand voice should be as consistent as your coffee order. If you’re fun and casual, stick to it. If you’re professional and authoritative, own it. But whatever you do, don’t give your readers emotional whiplash with constant tone shifts.

Speaking of emotions, let’s talk about another common blunder…

5. Forgetting the Emotional Connection

Here’s a mind-blowing fact: 95% of purchasing decisions are subconscious and emotionally driven. Yet many emails read like they were written by a robot having an existential crisis.

Don’t just list features – tell stories. Paint pictures. Make your readers feel something. Instead of “Our software has 24/7 customer support,” try “Never feel stuck or alone again – we’re here for you around the clock, just like that friend who always picks up the phone at 3 AM.”

But even the most emotional copy won’t work if you make this next mistake…

6. Weak or Confusing CTAs

Your call-to-action is like the grand finale of a fireworks show – it needs to be spectacular! Yet so many emails end with wimpy CTAs like “Click Here” or “Learn More.” Really? That’s about as exciting as watching paint dry!

Create CTAs that spark action and urgency. Make them specific and value-driven. Instead of “Subscribe Now,” try “Yes, I Want to Double My Sales!” Remember: your CTA should be as clear as a crisp mountain stream and as compelling as the smell of fresh-baked cookies.

But even the perfect CTA won’t save you from this next email copywriting mistake…

7. Ignoring the Preview Text

Did you know that 35% of email recipients open emails based on the preview text alone? Yet many businesses treat it like that weird uncle at family gatherings – they pretend it doesn’t exist!

Your preview text is prime real estate. It’s your second chance to grab attention after the subject line. Don’t let it default to “View this email in your browser” or the first line of your email. Craft it deliberately to support your subject line and entice opens.

Ready for another common mistake that makes subscribers hit ‘unsubscribe’?

8. The “One-Size-Fits-All” Approach

Here’s a hard truth: sending the same email to your entire list is like serving the same meal to everyone at a restaurant – some people are bound to send it back!

Segment your list and personalize your messages. Use dynamic content. Address specific pain points. Make your subscribers feel like you’re reading their minds (in a non-creepy way, of course!).

But personalization won’t help if you’re making this next mistake…

9. Forgetting Mobile Users

Here’s a stat that’ll knock your socks off: 81% of people regularly check their email on mobile devices. Yet some emails still look like they were designed for a computer from 1995!

  • Keep paragraphs short (2-3 lines max)
  • Use plenty of white space
  • Make CTAs thumb-friendly
  • Test your emails on multiple devices
  • Optimize images for mobile viewing
  • Use readable fonts and sizes

Speaking of optimization, there’s one mistake that could be killing your results…

10. Not Testing Before Sending

Ever sent an email with a broken link or a typo in the subject line? It feels worse than realizing you’ve had spinach in your teeth all day after an important meeting!

Always, always, always test your emails before hitting send. Check links, preview on different devices, send test copies to yourself, and maybe even have a grammar-loving friend look it over.

11. The “Buy Now!” Bombardment

Ever been to a store where the salesperson follows you around like a lost puppy? That’s what constant sales pitches in your emails feel like! Studies show that promotional emails with educational content get 50% higher click-through rates than pure sales emails.

Instead of pushing for the sale in every email, try the 80/20 rule: 80% value, 20% promotion. Build trust first, and the sales will follow naturally. Share tips, tell stories, or offer insights that make your subscribers’ lives better.

12. Neglecting the P.S. Power Play

Did you know that 79% of people read the P.S. line first? Yet many copywriters treat it like an afterthought or skip it entirely. That’s like leaving money on the table – at a bank!

Your P.S. is prime real estate for reinforcing your main message, adding urgency, or including a bonus offer. Think of it as your email’s encore performance – make it memorable! Instead of “P.S. Don’t forget to sign up,” try “P.S. The early-bird discount ends at midnight – save 50% now!”

But even the perfect P.S. won’t save you if you’re making this next mistake…

13. The Personality Vacuum

Why do some emails feel about as exciting as watching grass grow? Because they’re stripped of all personality! In a world of AI-generated content, being human is your superpower.

Share personal stories. Use conversational language. Drop in the occasional (appropriate) joke. Let your brand’s unique voice shine through. Remember: people buy from people, not faceless corporations.

Speaking of being human, let’s talk about another common blunder…

14. Ignoring the Power of FOMO

Fun fact: Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) isn’t just a social media phenomenon – it’s a powerful psychological trigger that’s been driving human behavior since we lived in caves! Yet many emails lack any sense of urgency or exclusivity.

Create genuine scarcity. Use time-limited offers. Highlight exclusive benefits. But here’s the key: make it real! False urgency is like fake designer bags – people can spot it a mile away.

15. The Timing Tumble

Sending emails at the wrong time is like throwing a party at 6 AM – nobody’s showing up! Research shows that email open rates can vary by up to 25% depending on when you hit ‘send.’

Test different sending times for your specific audience. What works for B2B might bomb for B2C. And remember: sometimes the “off-peak” hours can be your secret weapon. When everyone else is sending at 10 AM Tuesday, your 3 PM Thursday email might just steal the show!

Ready for another email copywriting mistake that makes subscribers cringe?

16. The Link Overload

Some emails contain so many links they look like a spider went crazy on the keyboard! While links are important, too many choices can paralyze your readers faster than a deer in headlights.

Focus on one primary call-to-action per email. Sure, you can include secondary links, but make your main CTA stand out like a rainbow in a black and white photo. Remember: confused minds don’t buy!

But there’s another mistake that’s even more subtle…

17. Forgetting the Follow-Up Formula

Here’s a shocking stat: 80% of sales require 5 follow-up emails, but 44% of salespeople give up after just one follow-up. Talk about leaving money on the table!

Create strategic email sequences that nurture leads over time. Each email should build on the last, like chapters in a compelling story. And please, for the love of inbox sanity, track who’s already purchased so you don’t keep selling them something they already bought!

Speaking of tracking, let’s discuss another common oversight…

18. The Social Proof Snub

Know what’s better than telling people how great you are? Having others do it for you! Yet many emails skip social proof entirely, like a superhero movie without special effects – it just doesn’t pack the same punch!

Weave in testimonials, case studies, and real results. Show screenshots of social media praise. Share success stories. But keep it relevant to your email’s main message – don’t just throw in testimonials like confetti at a parade!

But even great social proof won’t help if you’re making this mistake…

19. The Grammar Goof-Up

Yes, we’re going there! Nothing kills credibility faster than poor grammar and spelling mistakes. It’s like showing up to a job interview with your shirt on inside out – people notice!

While casual language is great, basic grammar rules still matter. Use tools like Grammarly, but don’t rely on them completely. Read your email out loud before sending – you’ll be amazed at what you catch!

And finally, here’s an email copywriting mistake that could be costing you big time…

20. The Analytics Avoidance

Not tracking your email performance is like driving with your eyes closed – dangerous and likely to end in disaster! Yet many copywriters send emails into the void without ever checking what works and what doesn’t.

Track your open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates. A/B test your subject lines, CTAs, and email copy. Let the data guide your decisions, but don’t let it stifle your creativity!

Ready to Level Up Your Email Copywriting Game?

You’ve just discovered the top email copywriting mistakes that could be holding back your success. But knowing what to avoid is only half the battle. Want to master the art of crafting emails that convert like crazy?

Introducing the Complete Copywriting Course! This comprehensive program will transform you from an email amateur to a conversion champion. You’ll learn proven frameworks, swipe-worthy templates, and psychological triggers that make subscribers click faster than a cat chasing a laser pointer.

Don’t let these email copywriting mistakes cost you another subscriber or sale. Join thousands of successful entrepreneurs and copywriters who’ve already transformed their email game. Click below to get instant access to the Complete Copywriting Course and start writing emails that get results!

P.S. Still reading? That’s because these copywriting principles work! Don’t wait – take your email marketing to the next level today!