How to Increase Email Open Rates with H2H Subject Lines and Understanding the Neocortex for AGI

How to Increase Email Open Rates with H2H Subject Lines and Understanding the Neocortex for AGI

Email marketing remains a crucial tool for businesses to engage with their audience and drive conversions. However, with the average email open rate across industries at 19.66% in 2022, it's clear that there is room for improvement. In this article, we will explore how to increase email open rates with H2H (Human-to-Human) subject lines and delve into the fascinating concept of the neocortex in relation to Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).

When it comes to email subject lines, it's essential to frame them in a way that resonates with the recipient. People want to see that the email is written specifically for them and offers something of value. Research has shown that individuals are more likely to engage with messaging that focuses on personal gain rather than social responsibility. By highlighting the benefits and addressing the recipient's needs, you can pique their curiosity and increase the chances of them opening the email.

Curiosity plays a significant role in grabbing and maintaining attention. The brain releases dopamine, a feel-good chemical, when we encounter a knowledge gap or something unknown. To leverage this, use subject lines that cater to at least one of the five dimensions of curiosity: deprivation sensitivity, joyous exploration, social curiosity, stress tolerance, and thrill-seeking. By tapping into these aspects, you can spark the reader's interest and compel them to open the email.

Triggered emails, which are automated based on specific actions or events, have proven to be highly effective in driving engagement. In a study conducted by GetResponse, triggered emails outperformed newsletters, with open rates reaching 35.64% compared to 20.58%. These emails are timely and relevant, making them more likely to catch the recipient's attention. Incorporating triggered emails into your email marketing strategy can significantly improve open rates and overall campaign success.

Personalization is another key factor in increasing email open rates. However, it goes beyond simply adding a first name tag to the subject line. In fact, the GetResponse study found that open rates were lower when subject lines included this form of personalization. Instead, focus on specificity and setting clear expectations. Subject lines that include words like "now" have been found to score higher open rates, reaching 31.73%. Tailoring your subject lines to create a sense of urgency and relevance can greatly impact open rates.

Additionally, it's important to consider the mobile experience when crafting email subject lines. Most people now open emails on their mobile phones, and the screen real estate is limited. While the average subject line is 44 characters long, mobile phones can only accommodate around 33 characters in the field of view. Keeping your subject lines concise and impactful ensures that they are fully visible and compelling on mobile devices.

Now, let's shift our focus to the concept of the neocortex and its relationship to AGI. In the book "A Thousand Brains" by Jeff Hawkins, he emphasizes the significance of the neocortex in creating intelligence. Hawkins argues that the neocortex is the organ responsible for various capabilities we associate with intelligence, such as vision, language, music, math, science, and engineering. Understanding the neocortex and how it functions is crucial if we aim to comprehend intelligence itself.

Contrary to the notion that the complexity of the neocortex hinders the development of AGI, Hawkins suggests that it is the learned content, not the learning algorithm, that contributes to this complexity. Furthermore, he suggests that the circuitry of the neocortex is remarkably similar across different regions and even species. This implies that we can build brain-like AGI by focusing on finding the learning algorithm rather than attempting to replicate the intricate circuitry. By uncovering this algorithm, we can potentially accelerate the development of AGI.

This idea challenges the traditional belief that AGI is centuries away. If the neocortex is indeed a relatively simple, human-legible learning algorithm, then the prospect of brain-like AGI becomes more feasible. Rather than embarking on the arduous task of replicating the entire neocortex, we can leverage the learning algorithm and allow it to construct the necessary machinery for specific tasks on its own.

In conclusion, increasing email open rates requires a thoughtful approach to subject lines. By framing them as H2H and focusing on personal gain, curiosity, and specificity, you can capture the attention of your audience and drive engagement. Additionally, incorporating triggered emails and optimizing for mobile devices can significantly improve open rates. Furthermore, exploring the concept of the neocortex in relation to AGI opens up new possibilities for accelerating its development. By understanding the learning algorithm within the neocortex, we can pave the way for brain-like AGI to become a reality sooner than expected.