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Whether you're an experienced professional or just sending your first email, you've probably experienced that regret feeling right after you hit send.
You were confident the email was flawless, so you sent it off. Then, maybe just a moment later—or an hour later?—you suddenly notice a glaring mistake. Or maybe someone, in their eagerness to help, brings it to your attention, ensuring you know about the error.
Mistakes in emails—whether it's a minor typo, a noticeable misspelling, or incorrect information—can be really frustrating because once you hit send, there's no going back. Unlike a website, where you can quickly fix things, that error remains in people's inboxes until they choose to read or delete it.
If this happens to you, just remember: you're not foolish (I know, easier said than done). Making a simple mistake doesn’t reflect on your intelligence or carelessness. It happens to everyone, and it’s not the end of the world.
Once you've come to terms with it, you can decide if you want to address the mistake. In this blog we’ll talk about how tohandle those email blunders of yours, if at all. But before that, let’s take a look at the most common mistakes that you can make.
As much as we strive to ensure our emails are error-free and everything is done correctly, just like in life, we all make mistakes occasionally. Certain types of errors tend to occur more often than others. Here are the most common email mistakes we encounter:
1. Typos and Grammar Errors – Simple mistakes like spelling errors, missing punctuation, or awkward phrasing can easily slip through unnoticed.
2. Wrong Recipient – Accidentally sending an email to the wrong person or group can be awkward or even damaging, depending on the content.
3. Broken or Missing Links – Including links that don’t work or forgetting to add a link can confuse your readers.
4. Incorrect Information – Sending outdated, incorrect, or misleading information can harm your credibility and create unnecessary follow-up work.
5. Forgetting Attachments – Promising an attachment in your email but forgetting to include it is a common oversight that often leads to a follow-up email.
6. Formatting Issues – Sometimes the email layout or design doesn’t appear as intended, especially when viewed on different devices or platforms.
7. Subject Line Mistakes – Misspelling line can reduce the chances that people will open the email at all.
After making a mistake in your marketing email, here's how to decide if a correction is necessary:
1. Was it a major mistake?
Before sending a correction, consider if the error is significant. For minor mistakes affecting only a few people, it may not be worth it.
Ask yourself these key questions:
In general, save apologies for serious errors that could damage trust. Use discretion and avoid overcorrecting unless truly necessary.
2. How much time has passed?
If you notice a mistake immediately, send a correction email without delay. Use a clear subject line such as "Oops!" or "Correction" to grab your subscribers' attention. Keep the message straightforward, offering a brief apology along with the correct information.
If the error is minor, like a small typo, and some time has passed (like a week), it’s usually best not to send a correction. Most subscribers likely didn’t notice, so there’s no need to highlight it unnecessarily.
3. Who received the email?
Consider who received the original email. Was it sent to your entire list or just a specific segment? If it was targeted to a particular group and they’re engaged, it might be beneficial to send a correction only to them. Utilize open-rate metrics to focus on those who interacted with the email. This approach helps you avoid resending to your entire list and minimizes disruption for those who didn’t notice the mistake.
In conclusion, stay polite and professional when correcting a mistake. Apologize, explain what went wrong, and be concise. Show empathy, and follow up as needed. By following these tips, you'll send a thoughtful, effective correction email.
Minor issues such as typos, slight formatting errors, or missing non-essential information usually aren’t worth the trouble. Some recipients may notice and mention them, while others might not care at all, and many won’t even see them.
For more significant errors—like misrepresenting an offer or sending the wrong time—make the necessary corrections on the landing page or update any incorrect images on your server. If someone points it out on social media, a simple apology will suffice.
Sending an “oops” email can often draw more attention to the mistake and may result in increased unsubscribes or decreased engagement. Instead, focus on learning from the error, reviewing emails more thoroughly, or implementing a pre-send checklist.
Everyone makes mistakes in email marketing. The key to avoiding them is to review your work carefully. Proofread several times before you hit send, and consider asking someone else—like a reliable coworker or even a neighbor—to review it too. Additionally, pay attention to subject line character limits in various email clients to make sure your message is clear right from the beginning. Taking these extra precautions can help you steer clear of embarrassing errors. Check out this blog for a detailed list of important things to remember before sending an email.
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