The following are some of the most common mistake photographers make when communicating through email.
1. Poor subject lines
The subject line is the most vital part of your email. This is what will determine whether your email gets deleted or opened by photo editors. Avoid using tricks to manipulate them to open it. Don’t use unnecessary words like ‘URGENT’. Such deceptive strategies may cause your emails to be filtered as spam and will cost you your credibility. Instead of using tricks, try using descriptive words. Using keywords in subject lines is a strategy that has worked for my emails promoting thinkstock discounts coupons and istock photo discounts.
2. Irrelevant content
Before sending the email, think again. Be sure that the text and images within your email are relevant and helpful for the recipients. Therefore, it is important to have some information about the business, publication or person you are sending the email to. What topics do they cover? What are their areas of interest? What is their preferred photographic style? What would their readers be interested in? Before you send your email, make sure you have an answer for all these questions.
3. Sample photos unrelated to website
In case the recipient opens the email and decides to check out your site, you need to make sure that the same photos in your email are also featured on your website. Sending out an email before updating your website is a big mistake. If the photos don’t appear on your site, don’t send the email
4. Emails without photos
Don’t just send an email with just text and links to your site. Make sure the email itself contains an image. Once the images capture the attention of the recipient, they will want to click to see more.
5. Boring or offensive images
Don’t just send common images that people have seen numerous times before. Make sure the image you are sending is extraordinary. To capture the attention of the recipient, you need to be unique and to show off your style. In addition, you should avoid sending photos which are offensive or extreme.
6. Large attachments
Bulky attachments can bog down the network connection or computer of the recipient. Therefore, it is important to make your attachments as few and as small as possible. Instead of attaching too may images, you could include a link to a gallery where more images can be downloaded.
7. Image display errors
Quite often, photo editors receive emails with images which are improperly inserted, broken or not included. Therefore, before sending the email, you need to double check it. You could send the email to yourself first to confirm that all the images display correctly.
8. Using conversational tone with strangers
If you’ve never worked with or met a person before, you need to be discrete when relating to them. In your email communications, remain as respectful, polite and professional as possible.
9. Emailing too often
If you don’t get the response to your email, avoid resending it. You will become a nuisance and end up offending your recipients. In addition, you should not send out emails too often.
Author Bio
Charles recently wrote an article about istockphoto and a review of thinkstock. He writes occasionally for Blazing Minds. He also blogs about special coupon and discount offers such as istock photo discounts and thinkstock discounts coupons. Charles lives in Nigeria with his family and makes a living online as a writer and blogger.
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I guess, the SUBJECT matters the most. The reader can judge the complete email by it’s subject.