Email newsletters are a common tool for businesses and content creators to reach their audience. However, getting people to read and respond to these newsletters is often difficult. Recent data shows just how challenging this can be. On average, only about 21 out of 100 people open newsletters they receive. Even more concerning, less than 3 out of 100 recipients click on links within these newsletters.
These low numbers highlight a big problem: most newsletters fail to engage readers successfully. This lack of engagement means that businesses and creators are missing out on valuable opportunities to connect with their audience, gather feedback, and build stronger relationships.
In response to this widespread issue, some content creators have been experimenting with new ways to improve engagement. One of them is Edward Sturm, who has developed a simple yet effective method to encourage more readers to reply to his newsletters. We'll break down his method step by step, see why it's working so well, and think about how you could use similar ideas in your own newsletters. By understanding Sturm's approach, you might find new ways to get your readers more involved and interested in what you're sending them.
Why feedback matters
Getting feedback is really important for anyone who makes content. It's like having a conversation with your readers. Businesses that actively seek and apply customer feedback are 60% more likely to see increased customer satisfaction. This statistic alone demonstrates the power of listening to your audience. Furthermore, 77% of consumers view brands more favorably when they actively seek out and use customer input. When you listen to your readers, you're not just sending out information. You're building a relationship with them. This can make people want to keep reading your newsletters, even when there are lots of other emails in their inbox.
Breaking down Edward Sturm's clickable image hack
Edward Sturm's Newsletter Hack To Get More Replies
Edward Sturm came up with a smart idea for his newsletters. At the end of each one, he puts a picture that people can click on. This picture gives readers three choices:
1. "Meh - Not Great"
2. "Pretty Good"
3. "Amazing - Loved It"
Here's the clever part: when someone clicks one of these choices, it opens a new email. This email is already set up to send to Edward. It has a subject line ready to go, like "YouTube Shorts." The email also has a short message in it that matches what the reader clicked. For example, if they click "Amazing - Loved It," the email will say "That was amazing." This makes it super easy for readers to tell Edward what they think about his newsletter.
Edward Sturm's Newsletter Amazing - Loved It
The psychology behind the method
Edward Sturm
Sturm's idea works well for a few reasons. First, it's really easy for readers to use. They only need to click twice to send feedback. In today's busy world, people like things that are quick and simple. Second, even though the emails are pre-made, they come across as personal. It's feels more like having a short chat instead of filling out a boring form. This makes readers feel more connected to the person writing the newsletter. Third, it opens up a way for readers to talk directly to the writer. Unlike surveys, which can feel one-sided, this method invites readers to start a conversation. Lastly, it can help newsletters stay out of the spam folder. When people reply to emails, it tells email services that these messages are wanted and important.
Polls vs pre-formatted emails
While many newsletters use polls for feedback, Sturm's pre-formatted email approach offers several advantages. Polls, while quick and easy to set up, have limitations. They don't encourage direct communication, have minimal impact on email deliverability, and restrict responses to predefined options. In contrast, Sturm's method encourages two-way communication, allowing readers to add their own thoughts beyond the pre-written response if they choose. It provides richer feedback opportunities and helps build stronger relationships with readers. Perhaps most importantly, it can help improve inbox placement. Genuine email replies are a strong signal to email providers that your content is valued, which can help your newsletter avoid the dreaded spam or promotions folders.
Impact on email deliverability
One of the best things about Sturm's method is that it can help more people see your newsletter. When you send out emails, you want them to end up in people's main inbox. If they go to the spam or promotions folder, fewer people will see them. Email services like Gmail pay attention to how people interact with emails. When readers reply to your newsletter, it's a good sign. It tells these services that people want to read your emails. Over time, this can make it more likely that your newsletters will go straight to the main inbox where more people will see them.
Implementing the hack and applying the principle beyond newsletters
If you want to try Sturm's method, here are some tips. Keep it simple - don't give too many options. Use clear and easy-to-understand language. Make sure the pre-written emails sound like you and fit with what your newsletter is about. Try different designs for your clickable image to see what works best. And when people reply, make sure to write back to them quickly.
This idea of making it easy for people to give feedback can work for other things too, not just newsletters. For blog posts, you could put a similar clickable image at the end. In videos, you could tell viewers how to send quick feedback emails. For podcasts, you could mention easy ways to give feedback at the end of each episode. Even on social media, you could make special buttons that let people send you messages easily.
Conclusion
Edward Sturm's newsletter hack is a great way to get more people to reply to emails. It makes giving feedback quick and easy, which is important in today's busy world. By using this method, you're not just sending out information. You're starting conversations with your readers. Sturm's approach turns readers from passive receivers into active participants.
You should try this clickable picture hack if you're just getting started or if you've been writing newsletters for years. It could really help more people engage with your content. The goal isn't just to write newsletters, but to build a community around what you're writing.
As more and more emails fill up people's inboxes, methods like Sturm's remind us that the most important part of communication is listening to your audience. By doing this, you can turn your newsletter from a one-way message into an engaging two-way conversation. This can make your readers feel more connected to you and more likely to keep opening and reading your newsletters in the future.
