The amazing value of “Oops”

Basic human psychology says that if you’ve made a mistake and own up to it graciously, you actually make people feel better. After all, we’ve all been there.

If you’ve ever sent out a mass email with an error, it’s time for you to meet an amazing marketing tool: the “Oops” email. In my recent experience*, “Oops” emails in marketing actually out-perform their non-erroneous cousins. (I should have said in my LIMITED experience, because of course I don’t make all that many errors.) If you find yourself having to write an “Oops” email, here are a few tips:

  1. Don’t panic
  2. Add some value to the “Oops” email (like this extra tip)
  3. Don’t panic

For more info: Myemma.com published an amusing and enlightening 5-minute read on clever “Oops” emails.

*I said “recent” experience: I sent out this week’s FGB with the wrong date on it. The “Oops” email received a 46% open rate compared to 33% for the original one.