Email Marketing terms

Email Header

The top section of an email, usually containing the sender's name, subject line, and possibly a preheader.

What is an email header in email marketing?

An email header in email marketing is the part of the email that contains vital information about the email's origin, destination, and path it took to get there. It includes details such as the sender's email address, the recipient's email address, the subject line, and the date and time the email was sent. This information is used by email servers to deliver the email correctly and by email clients to display the email to the recipient.

In the context of email marketing, the email header is crucial as it can significantly impact whether the recipient opens the email or not. The subject line, in particular, plays a key role in attracting the recipient's attention and enticing them to open the email. Additionally, the sender's email address can affect the recipient's perception of the email's legitimacy and relevance. Therefore, marketers need to carefully craft their email headers to maximize their email open rates and overall campaign effectiveness.

Why is the email header important in email marketing?

The email header is crucial in email marketing as it is the first thing that the recipient sees when they receive an email. It includes the subject line, sender's name, and email address, all of which can significantly influence whether the recipient opens the email or not. A compelling and relevant subject line can entice the recipient to open the email, while a recognizable sender's name can build trust and credibility.

Moreover, the email header also contains technical information that helps in the delivery and tracking of the email. It includes details like the IP address of the sender, email client used, and the servers the email passed through. This information is essential for troubleshooting delivery issues, tracking email performance, and ensuring email security by identifying spam or phishing emails. Therefore, the email header plays a vital role in the success of email marketing campaigns.

How to create an effective email header for email marketing?

Creating an effective email header for email marketing involves several key steps. First, it's crucial to make the subject line engaging and relevant. This is the first thing your recipient sees, so it should be compelling enough to make them want to open the email. It should be concise, clear, and should give an idea of what the email contains. Personalizing the subject line by including the recipient's name or other personal information can also increase open rates.

Secondly, the preheader text, which is the short summary text that follows the subject line when an email is viewed in the inbox, should be utilized effectively. It should complement and expand on the subject line and motivate the recipient to open the email. Lastly, the 'From' field should clearly identify your brand or company name. This helps to build trust and recognition with your recipients. Avoid using a generic email address, as this can make your email appear as spam.

What information should be included in the email header for marketing purposes?

For marketing purposes, an email header should include several key pieces of information. Firstly, it should have a compelling subject line that grabs the reader's attention and encourages them to open the email. This could include a call to action, a special offer, or a question that piques their curiosity. The subject line should be concise, clear, and relevant to the content of the email.

In addition to the subject line, the email header should also include the sender's name and email address. This helps to establish trust and credibility with the recipient. If the email is part of a larger campaign, it may also be beneficial to include a preheader text. This is a short summary of the email content that appears after the subject line in the recipient's inbox. It provides additional context and can further encourage the recipient to open the email. Lastly, for transparency and compliance with email marketing laws, the header should also include an unsubscribe link, allowing recipients to opt out of future emails if they wish.

Alsongside email marketing, if you're into video marketing...

You should try Tella.tv - your all-in-one screen recorder, to create launch videos, product demos, social media videos, 1:1s for customers, and more!

Tella isn't just a screen recorder. It combines the simplicity of Loom with the creativity of Canva to create great looking videos with no effort.

With Tella, you can record your screen and/or camera, combine separate clips and quickly remove mistakes, apply beautiful backgrounds, change the camera layout, add zoom effects - almost instantly.

Tella screen recorder

< Back to Email Marketing glossary

Try Tella today!

Screen recording for creators — simple and powerful.

7-day free trial — no credit card required