Are you looking for quick methods to reduce email bounce and improve outreach deliverability?
In the past, email marketing was known as one of the most effective marketing channels. However, the introduction of email filtering and an increase in competition has made it more difficult for businesses to reach out to their target audience using this channel.
1. Send an email to confirm the email address
If you’re not sure whether an email address is valid, send a quick email asking the recipient to confirm their email address.
This is a simple and effective way to verify that you have the correct email address before you start sending them any important emails.
2. Use double opt-in
One of the most effective ways to ensure that you have a valid email address is to use a double opt-in process. This means that when someone signs up to receive your emails, they will receive a confirmation email that they need to click on to verify their email address.
While this can reduce the number of people who sign up for your emails, it can also help you to build a more engaged and responsive email list.
3. Check your sender’s IP address
This is a unique number assigned to your email server by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). The IP address is used to identify where the email is coming from and can affect your email deliverability.
If you are using a shared IP address, it could be blacklisted because of someone else’s bad behavior. This will affect your email deliverability. If you are using a dedicated IP address, it is less likely to be blacklisted, but it is still something you should check.
You can use an IP lookup tool to check your sender’s IP address and see if it is blacklisted. If it is, you will need to contact your ISP to get it removed.
4. Keep your email list up to date
Not all email bounces are due to sender reputation or content issues. Sometimes, emails bounce simply because the email address is no longer valid or the inbox is full.
Regularly cleaning your email list is a must if you want to maintain a good sender reputation and avoid high bounce rates.
Mailchimp and other email marketing tools can help you quickly identify and remove inactive or incorrect email addresses from your list.
If you’re manually building your email list, make sure to verify email addresses before adding them.
5. Avoid spam trigger words
Spam trigger words can lead to your email being marked as spam and your domain being blacklisted. This is bad news for your email deliverability.
Spam trigger words can be found in the body of your email, your subject line, or even your sender name.
There are certain words and phrases that spam filters look for, and if they see them, your email is more likely to be flagged as spam.
Common spam trigger words include:
- “Free”
- “Limited time offer”
- “Discount”
- “Click here”
- “Risk free”
To avoid using spam trigger words, carefully review your email content before sending it. You can also use an email deliverability tool like GMass to check your content for spam trigger words.
6. Use a reliable email service provider
If you send a lot of emails, we don’t recommend using your personal or business email account. Email service providers (ESPs) are designed for large-scale email sends and come with a host of features that regular email accounts don’t have.
For example, ESPs like HubSpot Email Marketing and Mailchimp automatically handle bounce emails for you and help you monitor and improve your email deliverability.
7. Use a real name in the “from” field
The “from” field is the first thing people see when they receive an email from you. And, if it’s not filled out correctly, you could be missing out on valuable opportunities to connect with your prospects.
When it comes to the “from” field, the best practice is to use a real person’s name, not your company’s name or the name of your email marketing software.
Using a real name in the “from” field helps to humanize your email and can increase the likelihood that it will be opened and read.
8. Don’t send emails too quickly
When you’re new to email outreach, it’s easy to get carried away and send a bunch of emails all at once. But sending too many emails too quickly can cause your deliverability rates to plummet.
If your email server is sending out an unusually high volume of emails, it could be flagged as spam by the recipients’ email servers. This is especially true if you’re sending emails to people who have never interacted with your business before.
To avoid this, make sure you’re spacing out your email sends. You can use an email outreach tool to schedule your emails in advance, so you don’t have to worry about sending them all at once.
9. Send emails at the right time
The best time to send an email is when your prospect is most likely to open it. There are a few different factors that can help you determine the best time to send an email, including:
- The time zone of your prospect
- The industry your prospect is in
- The day of the week
- The time of day
You can use an email outreach tool like GMass to help you schedule your emails to be sent at the right time. GMass has a feature that allows you to schedule your emails to be sent at a specific time, so you can make sure your emails are being delivered when your prospects are most likely to open them.
10. Create a catchy subject line
The subject line is the first thing your recipients will see when they receive your email. It’s crucial to create a subject line that will grab their attention and make them want to open the email.
Avoid using a generic subject line like “New Business Opportunity” or “Quick Question.” Instead, try to get creative and write something that will make the recipient curious.
If you’re not sure where to start, try using a subject line generator. With a subject line generator, you can input a few details about your email and get a list of subject lines that you can use. You can also use this free tool by HubSpot to see how your subject line measures up.
11. Add clear value to every email you send
One of the most overlooked reasons emails bounce or get ignored is that they simply don’t provide enough value to the recipient. When people don’t recognize the benefit of your emails, they’re less likely to engage—and low engagement can hurt your sender reputation over time.
To improve deliverability, make sure each email offers something useful, relevant, or rewarding. This could be helpful content, exclusive access, or a tangible incentive. Emails that feel valuable are more likely to be opened, read, and interacted with—positive signals that email providers look for.
For example, referral and reward-based messages often perform well because the value is immediately clear. Tools like ReferralCandy help businesses send targeted referral emails that offer real incentives to recipients, encouraging engagement while avoiding spammy tactics. By focusing on value-first messaging, you can improve engagement rates, protect your sender reputation, and reduce bounce rates over time.
Conclusion
It is important to note that some bounce rates are inevitable and not always bad. A bounce rate of 2-3% is considered normal, and even a rate of 5% is still within the average range. It is the bounce rates that are higher than 5% that you want to avoid. Use these tips to help you reduce your bounce rates and improve your overall email deliverability.
