You’ve just hit “send” on a shiny new marketing email to your customer base. You feel quite pleased with yourself and your well-written message. And you are ready: for high open rates, better engagement, and more.
But then, almost immediately, you spot it — a typo, not in some inconsequential place, but smack in the headline.
Instead of offering a “sneak peek” at your new product line, you’ve invited everyone to a “sneak peak.” Oops!
We’ve probably all been there. It’s funny, but as you focus on your quest to write that perfect marketing pitch, meticulously choosing every word, and polishing it to shine — typos can still happen. A humbling reminder that we are still human after all.
While such slip-ups are indeed human, they also bring to light just how important it is to know what to do in situations like this. Promptly correcting these mistakes, no matter how small, can help you maintain the trust and respect of your customers. More than that, it can also demonstrate your brand’s commitment to transparency and quality.
The Most Common Mistakes in Marketing Emails
Marketing emails, just like any other emails, are prone to the same standard set of errors: typos, grammatical errors, missing punctuation, and more. Let’s take a quick look at the most common typos and mistakes that sneak into marketing emails, and see what you can do to avoid them.
1. Typos/spelling mistakes
Spelling errors are among the most common and easily spotted mistakes in any written communication.
In marketing emails, these errors can range from simple typos to incorrect spellings of products or brand names. Such mistakes not only distract readers but also diminish the perceived quality of the brand.
Prevention tip: Use spell check tools, but don’t forget a manual read-through. Remember, a spell check might not catch correctly spelled words used in the wrong context (e.g., “peak” instead of “peek”).
2. Wrong recipient
Sending an email to the wrong recipient is more than just an embarrassing mistake. It can breach confidentiality and trust – especially if your email shares sensitive information. This type of error will affect the flow of communication and raise serious concerns about data privacy and the professionalism of your brand.
Prevention tip: Manage your emailing lists well to make sure that the email addresses you have on are accurate, up-to-date, and accurately segmented. Before you dispatch any campaign, double-check the reader segment you will be sending your email to, and preview the email list. It’s always a good idea to get some email marketing tools involved to automate the process.
3. The cut-off subject line
The subject line is the first impression your email makes. A subject line that is cut off, especially on mobile devices, can fail to convey the full message. This will result in lower open rates.
This mistake often occurs when marketers overlook the varying display capabilities of different email clients and devices.
Prevention tip: Keep subject lines short and effective, ideally under 60 characters. This will make them visible on all devices and easy for your readers to scan. It’s generally better if you place the most important information at the beginning of the subject line. If time allows, text your email subject line on multiple devices and email clients before sending the email out. This can help you quickly identify and prevent cut-off issues.
4. Grammar and punctuation errors
Grammatical errors and punctuation mistakes may seem small. But they can, in fact, change the meaning of a sentence and confuse the reader. Common issues include misplaced commas, incorrect use of apostrophes, and improper sentence structure.
Prevention tip: Brush up on grammar rules, and consider using grammar checking software. However, human review is essential, as software may not grasp the nuances of language and tone intended for your audience.
5. Incorrect information
Dates, times, prices, and other specific details are often cited in marketing emails. Misinformation can lead to customer frustration and mistrust, especially if it pertains to sales or events.
Prevention tip: Double-check all factual information before sending. If possible, have another team member review these details as well.
6. Broken links
A call to action (CTA) is a pivotal component of marketing emails, often directing recipients to a landing page or offer. Broken or incorrect links can derail the entire purpose of the email, leading to missed opportunities and a poor user experience.
Prevention tip: Always test links in both the development and final stages of your email campaign. Click through every link to ensure it directs to the correct page.
7. Formatting issues
Poor formatting can make an email difficult to read and navigate, especially on mobile devices. Issues like inconsistent font sizes, awkward spacing, and overly complex layouts can detract from the message you’re trying to convey.
Prevention tip: Stick to simple, responsive design principles that ensure your email looks good on any device. Use email design templates and test your emails on various screens before sending.
8. Missing or incorrect personalization
Personalization can significantly increase the effectiveness of marketing emails. However, incorrect use of names (or the dreaded “Dear [first_name]” mistake) can instantly alienate recipients.
Prevention tip: Ensure your mailing list data is clean and up to date. Use dynamic tags carefully, and test your emails to verify that personalization works correctly.
Acknowledge the Mistake Promptly
When it comes to professional communication, admitting that you’ve made a mistake is not simply about correcting an error. It’s about upholding the integrity and reliability of your message and brand.
It could be a minor typo, an incorrect date, or a more significant error – but it’s the way you handle these slip-ups that will affect your professional image.
Here’s how you can adeptly recognize and manage mistakes in your emails and turn potential pitfalls into opportunities for showcasing your professionalism and attention to detail.
The first step in handling an email mistake is to acknowledge it as soon as you can. This immediate recognition will show your commitment and attention to detail. The longer you wait to address the error, the more it can confuse or mislead your recipients. But if you act quickly, you will minimize the potential for a misunderstanding.
The second step is to write and send your correction email. Here’s a quick guide on how to create an effective correction email, when to send it, and how to learn from the experience.
Timing Your Correction Email
The timing of your correction email can be as important as what it contains. Ideally, your correction email should go out as soon as you’ve recognized the mistake. This is especially true if the error involves time-sensitive information.
If you’ve discovered the mistake later in the day, consider how urgent the correction is. If the email can wait without the error causing issues, it may be best to send the email out the following morning. This way, it will be among the first emails your recipient sees.
But urgency dictates action. If immediate correction is necessary, send the email out as soon as you can – regardless of the hour.
How to Write the Correction Email
Subject line: Start with a clear and concise subject line that immediately signals the email’s intent. Phrases like “Correction,” “Updated Information,” or “Important Update” can alert the recipient to the email’s importance without causing unnecessary alarm.
Opening: Begin with a polite greeting, followed by a straightforward acknowledgment of the mistake. This sets a respectful tone and shows you’re taking responsibility.
Body:
- Describe the mistake: Clearly, but briefly, describe the error. Avoid going into too much detail that might confuse the reader further.
- Provide the correction: Present the corrected information succinctly, ensuring it’s easily understood.
- Apologize if necessary: If the mistake could have caused inconvenience, include a short apology. It’s important to strike a balance here; an apology should be sincere but not overly dramatic.
- Express gratitude: Thank the recipient for their understanding and patience. This not only shows appreciation but also helps to maintain a positive relationship.
- Closing: Finish with a polite sign-off, your full name, and contact information, inviting them to reach out if they have questions or need further clarification.
Correction Email Examples
A correction email to a typo that resulted in a broken link (Classic approach)
Subject: Important Correction: Correct Link for Our Exclusive Offer
Dear (recipient’s name),
I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to reach out personally to address an oversight in our recent email regarding our exclusive offer. Due to a typo, the link provided did not direct you to the intended page. I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Corrected link:
Please find the correct link here to access our exclusive offer: (insert correct link). We are excited for you to explore what we have prepared and take advantage of this special promotion.
We strive to ensure all information we share is accurate and beneficial to you. I appreciate your understanding and patience as we rectify this mistake.
Thank you for your continued support and trust in (your company’s name). If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at (your contact information).
Warm regards,
(Your name)
(Your position)
(Your company’s name)
(Your contact information)
A correction email to a typo that resulted in a broken link (Light-hearted version)
Subject: Oops! Let’s Try That Link Again 🔄
Hey (recipient’s name),
Well, this is a bit embarrassing on our end. 🙈 It looks like our fingers got a bit too excited and mistyped the link in our last email. So, if you found yourself on a digital trip to nowhere, we’re here to reroute you to the right destination!
Here’s your boarding pass: Fasten your seatbelt and click (insert correct link) for your exclusive offer. We promise this time it’s the scenic route to something special we’ve set up just for you.
We’re all human, and typos are our way of keeping things interesting, right? 😄 Thanks for sticking with us through this adventurous typo. Your understanding and patience deserve a gold star!
If you need more directions or just want to chat, drop me a line at (your contact information). I’m here to help!
Cheers to fewer typos and more exciting offers,
(Your name)
(Your position with a twist)
(Your company’s name) + (a fun emoji)
(Your contact information)
A correction email for a misleading typo (Classic approach)
Subject: Apology and Correction Regarding Our Recent Email
Dear (recipient’s name),
I am writing to address an issue in our most recent communication. Due to an unfortunate typographical error, the content may have been received as offensive. Please accept our sincerest apologies for any discomfort or upset this has caused. It was completely unintentional, and we are taking immediate steps to ensure such an error does not occur again.
Correction:
We intended to communicate (correct information), which aligns with our values and commitment to (context or commitment). The mistake was rectified as soon as it was discovered, and we are reviewing our editorial processes to prevent future occurrences.
We value the trust you place in (your company’s name) and are deeply sorry for any disappointment this mistake may have caused. Your understanding and forgiveness are greatly appreciated as we strive to maintain the high standard of communication you expect from us.
Should you wish to discuss this matter further or have any concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out directly to me at (your contact information).
Thank you for your continued support and understanding.
Warm regards,
(Your name)
(Your position)
(Your company’s name)
(Your contact information)
A correction email for a misleading typo (Light-hearted version)
Subject: Our Typo Turned Oops into Ouch 😬 – We’re Sorry!
Hey (recipient’s name),
So, we had a bit of a “facepalm” moment in our last email to you. A sneaky typo slipped in and turned our message from informative to, well, unexpectedly offensive. If you read it and thought, “What in the world were they thinking?!” – we’re right there with you. Absolutely not what we were going for, and we’re really sorry if it rubbed you the wrong way.
Quick fix:
What we meant to say was (correct information). Imagine the nicest thing we could say, and that’s what we intended. We’ve got our detective hats on to figure out how that sneaky typo eluded us, and we’re making sure it’s the last of its kind.
We totally understand if you’re raising an eyebrow at us right now. We promise, we’re usually better with words. Thank you for taking this “oops” moment in stride, and if you’ve got any advice on how to tame wild typos, we’re all ears!
If you want to chat about this or anything else, hit me up at (your contact information). Always here to listen and to make amends with a virtual cup of coffee on us.
Thanks for being awesome and understanding,
(Your name)
(Your cool title)
(Your company’s name) + (a quirky emoji)
(Your contact information)
Learning from Your Mistakes
Mistakes, while unfortunate, are valuable learning opportunities. If you take the time to reflect on what went wrong, you have a better chance of eliminating similar mishaps in the future.
- Implement a review process: Before sending important communications, have a checklist or a review process in place. Getting a second set of eyes on emails can catch errors that you might overlook.
- Learn and adapt: Identify common mistakes and learn from them. Whether it’s paying more attention to certain details or using tools to help with grammar and spelling, every mistake is a chance to improve.
- Use technology wisely: Leverage email tools that offer features like delayed sending or the ability to retract an email shortly after sending. These can be invaluable in correcting errors before they reach the recipient.
Learn more about different types of emails in email marketing:
To Sum Up
Perfection may be the goal in email marketing – but human error remains a reality. In this setting, knowing how to write an effective correction email is a valuable skill.
When you acknowledge your slip-ups, offer a straightforward correction, and, perhaps, a touch of levity, you get to communicate something deeply authentic about yourself and your brand.
Your correction email may be formal, addressing a serious oversight or light-hearted, correcting a minor blip. But the key ingredients remain the same: promptness, clarity, sincerity, and a pinch of humility.