How to Write Emails People Want to Read (Even on Mondays)

Let’s be honest—most people hate Mondays. The inbox is overflowing. The coffee hasn’t kicked in. And if your email doesn’t spark interest within seconds, it’s getting skipped, archived, or deleted faster than a meeting invite before lunch.

But here’s the good news: your emails don’t have to suffer the Monday blues.

Whether you’re sending newsletters, promotions, cold outreach, or onboarding messages, the secret to email marketing success is simple—write emails people actually want to read. Not just skim. Not just click. Actually read.

If your open rates are slumping and engagement feels like a ghost town, it’s time to rethink the way you write. Because inboxes are crowded, attention spans are short, and your message needs to do more than just show up—it needs to stand out.

Let’s break down how to write emails that get opened, get read, and get results—even on the most brutal day of the week.

Nail the Subject Line—It’s the First (and Sometimes Only) Shot

Your subject line is your headline. Your handshake. Your one chance to make someone stop scrolling and say, “Yeah, I’ll read that.”

It needs to be:

• Short (under 50 characters works best)

• Clear (don’t get too clever if it confuses the reader)

• Intriguing (tease the value, don’t give it all away)

• Personal (use names, interests, or actions when you can)

Example: Instead of “Our Latest Update,” try “Here’s What You Missed Over the Weekend” or “Quick Win to Start Your Week Strong.”

Mailstorm lets you A/B test subject lines and preview how they’ll look across devices and inboxes—so you can optimize every open.

Make the Preview Text Work Hard

Don’t waste your preview text with boilerplate copy like “View this email in your browser.” It’s your second chance to hook the reader. Think of it as the trailer to your subject line’s headline.

Pair it with the subject to create momentum and set the tone for what’s inside.

Example:
Subject: Your Monday Just Got Easier
Preview Text: One tip, five minutes, big impact.

Mailstorm lets you edit preview text separately from the body, giving you full control over what shows up in inboxes.

Start Strong—Grab Them with the First Line

Once they open your email, your opening line needs to earn their scroll. Skip the fluff. Don’t introduce yourself again. Get straight to the value.

Try asking a question, making a bold statement, or sharing an interesting fact that ties into your offer.

Bad: “I wanted to follow up with you again this week…”
Better: “What if you could double your leads without spending more on ads?”

Mailstorm’s template builder lets you save and reuse your favorite high-performing intros, so every message starts strong—even on autopilot.

Keep It Conversational and Clear

Write like a human. Ditch the jargon. Avoid walls of text. Your emails should feel like a one-on-one conversation, not a press release.

Use contractions. Ask questions. Inject your brand’s personality. And don’t be afraid to use short sentences for impact.

If your email takes longer than 30 seconds to read, it’s probably too long. Trim the fat. Focus on what matters.

Deliver Real Value

This is the make-or-break moment. Every email you send should do one of the following:

• Solve a problem

• Save time or money

• Inspire action

• Entertain or inform

If your email doesn’t offer any value to the reader, they won’t keep opening the next one.

Want to stand out on a Monday? Give them something that actually helps them start the week better.

Mailstorm helps you track which emails perform best—so you can double down on what your audience actually cares about.

Use One Clear CTA

Don’t ask them to do three things. Pick one.

“Read the article.”
“Shop the collection.”
“Book your demo.”
“Reply with your thoughts.”

Make the CTA easy to find and even easier to click. Buttons, bolded links, or embedded images—Mailstorm’s drag-and-drop builder gives you options that look great on both desktop and mobile.

Close It with Confidence

End on a high note. Thank them for their time. Offer support. Reinforce your value. And always include an easy unsubscribe—because respect builds trust.

Mailstorm handles compliance automatically, so you don’t have to worry about missing any required links or info.

The Takeaway

People don’t hate email—they hate bad email. If your message adds value, shows up with purpose, and reads like a real human wrote it, people will read it. Even on Mondays.

With Mailstorm, you’ve got the tools to write, test, send, and optimize emails that actually connect—without spending hours designing every campaign from scratch.

So go ahead. Hit send with confidence. You’ve got something worth reading—and Mailstorm’s here to help make sure your audience sees it.