Why Your Emails Aren’t Getting Through (And How to Fix It)
You’ve crafted the perfect email, scheduled it with your favorite tool, and hit “send”—only to find your open rates are tanking. Sound familiar?
We get it—this part is tough. Deliverability is the silent killer of even the best email campaigns. You could be doing everything else right: targeting the right audience, writing killer subject lines, and sending at the perfect time—but if your emails aren’t landing in the inbox, none of it matters.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through what we’ve learned at Leads Finder Tools after analyzing hundreds of automated emailing sequences. We’ll talk strategy, mistakes, deliverability hacks, and the tools we trust. Stick with me, and by the end, you’ll know exactly how to build automated email campaigns that don’t just send—they land.
What Is an Automated Email Campaign (And Why You Need One That Delivers)
An automated email campaign is a series of marketing emails sent automatically based on user behavior or a predefined schedule. It’s smarter, faster, and way more scalable than manual email sends.
Why It Matters
Let’s face it—no one has time to manually send follow-ups, welcome emails, or transactional email receipts. Automation lets you deliver personalized emails at scale, which not only saves time but also ensures a smoother customer journey.
But Here's the Catch
No matter how beautiful your design or how slick your call to action, if your emails are flagged as spam or buried in the Promotions tab, you’re wasting effort.
The Anatomy of High-Deliverability Email Campaigns
Let’s break it down.
1. Build (Don’t Buy) Your Email List
Bought lists = trouble. They’ll destroy your sender reputation. Always use permission-based opt-ins—through landing pages, popups, or content downloads.
Tools to Use:
- LeadsFinder.Tools (for real-time, GDPR-compliant lead enrichment)
- ConvertBox (for intelligent popups)
- HubSpot Forms
2. Warm Up Your Domain Like a Human
You can’t just register a new domain and start sending 50,000 emails a day.
Tip:
Start with 20–30 emails per day and slowly ramp up. Use tools like MailReach or Instantly to simulate human sending behavior.
3. Use a Reputable Email Marketing Platform
This is non-negotiable. A solid email service or email marketing platform ensures proper DNS records, IP reputation, and deliverability tools.
Top Tools:
- MailerLite (lightweight, budget-friendly)
- ActiveCampaign (deep automation)
- SendGrid (for developers)
- Klaviyo (eCom powerhouse)
4. Authenticate Your Email Domain (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)
Yes, it sounds technical—but trust me, this one step can make or break your email campaigns.
Quick Explainer:
- SPF = tells email providers who can send on your behalf
- DKIM = signs your emails with a digital key
- DMARC = enforces policies and prevents spoofing
5. Segment Based on Behavior (Not Just Demographics)
If you’re still sending blast emails to your entire list—you’re doing it wrong.
Instead, automate based on:
- Clicked on a past campaign
- Abandoned cart
- Didn’t open in 30 days
Tools:
- ActiveCampaign
- Lemlist
- Encharge
Designing Emails That Get Opened AND Clicked
Crafting Subject Lines That Don’t Suck
Boring: “Monthly Newsletter – March Edition”
Better: “You missed this last time…”
Rules of Thumb:
- Use curiosity (not clickbait)
- Test emojis—don’t abuse them
- Keep it under 9 words
Write Like a Human
People don’t read marketing emails. They scan.
Use:
- Short paragraphs
- Bullet points
- Bolded CTAs
Mistake to Avoid:
Don’t add 5 different calls to action in one email. One CTA. One goal.
Don’t Forget This: Monitor & Optimize Deliverability Weekly
Email campaigns are not “set it and forget it.” You need to monitor:
Metric |
Ideal Range |
|---|---|
Open Rate
|
20–30%+
|
Click-Through Rate
|
2–5%
|
Bounce Rate
|
<2%
|
Spam Complaints
|
<0.1%
|
Tools to Track:
- GlockApps
- MailTester
- Postmark (for transactional email quality)
Deliverability-Proof Your Automated Campaigns Step-by-Step
Here’s how to set up a bulletproof campaign:
- Use an Opt-in Source → (LeadsFinder.Tools or web form)
- Clean Your List Regularly → (NeverBounce, ZeroBounce)
- Warm Up the Domain
- Authenticate SPF/DKIM/DMARC
- Segment Behaviorally
- Design for Mobile First
- Track Real-Time Metrics
- Iterate Weekly Based on Data
Deliverability Isn’t a Tactic—It’s a Discipline
Here’s the truth: Even the best email automation tools can’t fix poor deliverability practices. You need a long-term mindset—respecting your subscribers, protecting your sender reputation, and evolving your approach.
We’ve seen email campaigns increase sales, triple engagement, and shorten the sales funnel—but only when built on a solid deliverability foundation.
If your current emails are falling flat, it’s time to rethink how you send. Let’s fix that inbox rate—together.
Bonus: Pro Tips from 100+ Campaigns
- Use plain-text versions: Many spam filters check for this.
- Don’t send daily emails out of the gate: Start slow.
- A/B test subject lines weekly: Even a 3-word tweak can change your CTR by 20%.
- Ask for replies: It boosts engagement signals with ESPs.
FAQs
1. What’s the best time to send automated email campaigns?
From what we’ve seen, Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9–11am (recipient’s time zone) get the best open rates. But A/B testing is key.
2. How do I know if my emails are going to spam?
Use tools like Mail-Tester.com or GlockApps to test before sending. High bounce rates and low opens are also signs you’ve got a deliverability issue.
3. Can I send personalized emails at scale?
Yes—tools like Lemlist, Instantly, or ActiveCampaign allow you to send personalized, behavior-based emails that feel one-to-one, even at scale.