AMAZING SPLIT TESTING RESULTS!
Can You Pick The Winner?
See if you can pick the winning “Subject
line” that got a whopping 54% increased
open & click through rate than the other!
I had an idea that sounded pretty insane …
But I thought I’d give it a go anyway…
The risk of it not working… or being a raving success…
Believe it or not… lies in your hands.
Then I had another ripper idea…
Actually… this next idea kept me up in the wee hours of the morning scribbling hieroglyphics on my trusty bedside notepad.
Ahh… the 3am brain snap ideas! Amazing clarity.
You know, I reckon it’s true… notes taken in the early hours of the morning hardly need editing!
So where was I? Oh yeah… So do you wanna know what my idea is?
I bet you do… but not so fast my eager friend.
I wanna see how this one flies first. Test the waters.
So as most copywriters love to say, “Let me explain”…
It started like this…
First up – I love split testing.
Trying to choose what headline, offer, design, subject line, whatever, will resonate best with the mass market… fascinates me!
It gives the grey cerebral matter between my ears a grilling work out.
I love the challenge of trying to pick the winner!
But believe it not… (This may shock you)…my guesses are not always right!
Weird huh?
Another one of life’s hard-to-grasp mysteries…
Up there with the pyramids.
Anyway. Moving on…
A few weeks back I sent an email out to all my intelligent, marketing savvy subscribers.
The email was pointing to a recent blog post I did.
I thought I’d split test 2 different subject lines.
Subject line (A):
How To Belt A Home Run With Your Next Promotion
Subject line (B):
Open This To See Some Killer Sales Copy Examples
It was the same email, just a different subject line.
Now here’s where it gets interesting…
I thought I had a pretty good idea of which one would get a higher open rate.
But this time I was actually wro… wr…wr…wro… wron…
I was in correct.
And yes… I know what you’re thinking…
I checked, and it wasn’t a technical glitch.
Fact was… I had to face defeat.
Think you can do better?
Alright wise guy (or gal)…I’ll give you a chance to guess… Let’s see how YOU go, okay?
Wait. To be fair… you need to know more about the people who are on my email list.
Otherwise your guess will be a blind stab in the dark.
IMPORTANT TO KNOW:
Here’s a realistic snapsh ot profile of my email subscribers. They are…
- 38% more intelligent than most people
- 92% better chance of succeeding in life
- Have a razor sharp marketing mind
- Dedicated to higher conversions for themselves or clients
- A mix of copywriters, consultants, coaches, business owners, Internet marketers & speakers
- Some frustrated employees looking to break free and have more control over their income
- People I’ve stolen from Pete Godfrey’s list
- Members of my famous (and underpriced) coaching & mentoring program www.thecopywritingsystem.com
- Owners of my signature product www.7hoursalesletter.com
- Secretly wish they were Jack Bauer from 24
- And one other thing… My accurate statistics prove that their chances of having a massive financial windfall increased by 273% as soon as they joined my list. True story.
All in all…
They’re all fellow “Direct Response Marketing Junkies” with a ravenous appetite for any hints, tips or ideas that’ll boost conversions…
Righty-o, enough rambling…
Now before you skip ahead and test your skills… I want you to promise me you’ll read the second part of this post.
Remember? When I mentioned my crazy idea earlier? Yeah, that part.
I want you to contribute something in the comment box below when this is over.
Don’t’ be scared. If you’re smart, (which you obviously are because you’re reading my blog), then you’ll see the benefit of doing it…
Geeez… I’m pushy aren’t I?
No harm intended… but feel free to feel guilty if you don’t.
Okay, are you ready?
Let’s see how you go…
Pick the winner…
Here are the stats.
One of these subject lines got a:
37.3% open rate – and a 15.8% click rate
The other one got a:
57.4% open rate – and a 23.5% click rate
But which one was it? A or B?
Subject line (A): How To Belt A Home Run With Your Next Promotion | |
Subject line (B): Open This To See Some Killer Sales Copy Examples |
Correct answer was (B)
That’s a massive 54% increase on getting the email opened... and a further 51% of people clicked the link! Worthwhile test? Hell yes!
Okay… so how did you go?
But before you get ahead of yourself… remember… no two lists are the same.
What works for my list may not work for yours! The key is to do your own spilt testing!
Which brings me to my next point.
… That idea that’s been rattling around in my skull for a few days…
First up, did you like that I shared my spilt test results with you? Yes or no?
Would you like to see more? Yes or no?
Good. Look, I’m happy to do that… but think about this…
Imagine if you got to see a whole bunch of split test results in one place? Not just from me… but from a whole swag of fellow marketers and copywriters?
Is it only me… or would that be ultra- cool?
Let me unfold my idea more so you can see how it relates to you…
It starts like this… I’m challenging anyone reading this post to contribute and leave their own split testing result in the comment box below.
Be it a… subject line, headline, price test, whatever.
But it starts with you.
No wait. I’ll break the ice first… I’ll put my #1 highest opened subject line below. Just to make you feel better….
But then you’re next, cool?
Relax… You don’t have to show the % stats if you don’t want. Up to you…
This is not an ego-stroking competition. Forget that.
Just a community of fellow savvy marketing fiends sharing and growing together…
What do you reckon… You in or what?
If this works…then you’ll LOVE my next idea!!
Think big. Be different.
Bret Thomson
P.S. If you don’t do split testing or don’t have a business yet… but you enjoyed the post… then don’t keep it to yourself. Let me know below… And spread the love baby!
P.P.S. If you’re not already on my email subscribers… then you’re missing out on all my hot-off-the-press, in-the-trenches, sizzling hot direct response insights. I’ll make it easy for you by letting you join below
And don’t worry. I won’t email you every day. I should. But I don’t. Catchya…
As promised…
Here’s the subject line that got the highest open rate of all time…
“What do you think of this site?”
72% open rate, 68% click through rate
Your turn- don’t leave me hanging…
Bret 😉
Hey Bret
I’m not split testing at the moment but I really enjoyed this post.
More like this please! I guessed right and wanna see if I can get 2 from 2 😉
I can’t think of my best subject line right now, but I guarantee I would have opened one that said “What do you think of this site” for sure. Nice work!
No probs Selise. I knew you’d pick (B) cos you’re one of the hungriest & dedicated copywriting enthusiasts i’ve trained! I still can’t believe you’ve read EVERY single post on John Carlton’s blog in under 12 months. AMAZING! No wonder you’re in hot demand. Keep charging…
Woot! Picked the winner! That was some kind of cool, interesting fun. Really had the mind ticking.
I’ll have to pop back with a sample but for the moment I have to say
You’re totally right Bret! Over the years I’ve often been surprised at which headline has fared better in split testing, it’s not always obvious.
In fact you can feel certain a particular subject line or headline is going to nail the open, or click through rate, to the wall like a turbo powered nailing gun – only to discover it’s been overtaken by its less obvious hammer of a brother.
I’d love to see more of these! Can never learn too much nor rest on our laurels and fool ourselves that we can accurately guess right every time. Split testing makes me pull up a chair and pay attention, (like I did right now with your post!) and besides it’s good brain fiery fun.
Another great post hon! Thanks for showing an awesome example with actual stats and for the bonus grey matter work out! xx
Wow. First of all… I”m not just saying this cos you’re my girl… but that section you wrote…
Quote: “In fact you can feel certain a particular subject line or headline is going to nail the open, or click through rate, to the wall like a turbo powered nailing gun – only to discover it’s been overtaken by its less obvious hammer of a brother.”
Your use of words and language never seizes to amaze me baby!
And secondly… i am secretly annoyed that you go it right and i didn’t!
And yes… when you get a chance, post up a split testing sample for us all to see 🙂
That’s really cool. I think sometimes you start to get ‘too tricky’ and ahead of yourself and forget that what people want is what hits you right between the eyes, get to the point and get on with it…
well that’s what makes me read anyway!
Thanks Bret, keep up the good work.
You’re spot on Carly. Getting too “tricky” of “clever” is a common (and often costly) trap… even for seasoned copywriters. Thanks for sharing…
Bret, can’t find which post to add this too, the answer I believe to your question is Know your ideal client.
Hmm could also be use the biggest leading benefit in your headline.
Hey Leanne… not sure what post you’re referring too? But it’s good you’re here anyway. Cheers
Bret,
Great post. Have to confess I picked the “wrong” subject line. Just goes to show and reinforces the importance of testing!
On the topic of test results, one thing that has always been worth testing is the headline template “Who Else Wants….?” Now as a copywriter I have tended to get a little “bored” with this headline and at one point it was very overused and often seemed a little “cheesy”. However, every time a client has tested this, it’s always performed well.
Thanks again for the post!
Kevin Francis
Hey Kevin… I’m so glad you got it wrong too 😉 (joke)
Mate… that’s fascinating about the “Who Else Wants…” template testing you’ve done. I’ve gotta admit… I took a silent vow against using re-hashed headlines like that too… So thanks for the slap up the side of the head man!
Seems like I’ve gotta get over my own ego of trying to come up with the new show-stopping headline, and TEST some good ole’ trusty classics
Btw… Anyone reading this should check out Kevin’s blog. A treasure chest of copywriting gems. Great work mate!
Bret…thanks for the kind words about my blog. Much appreciated!
Yay! I finally made it here. So sorry for coming late to the party Bret…
Been… and still am flat out helping my clients boost their bank accounts.
So… that was an interesting exercise. My mind went for A, but my intuition said… nah… B is where it’s at and in the end I rolled with my intuition.
Great post by the way. I have yet to do more split-testing since this is something my clients usually do by themselves. I’ve done a couple of tests on some of my own promotions though and from memory got a 70-30 split or close to it anyway.
Really appreciate the statistical insights from you Bret.
Rock on!
Thanks Monica. Your intuition served you well 🙂
We’d love to hear more about your clients split testing results too. Thanks for dropping by 🙂
Being a newbie I would like to know how to set up a split test, Cheers
I guess A was the wrong answer. But the appeal of hitting a home run was what lured me to select A. Like Elaine, above, I too would like to know how to go about setting up a split test.
Thanks for the introduction to Split Testing.
Hi Brett
I picked the Winner!
Even though I’m a newbie Copywriter I went with “Open this to See some Killer Sales Copy examples” as this headline was pretty much straight to the point but at the same time invited curiosity.
Basically I tried to visual how a typical prospective client would be thinking. So I’m pretty wrapped to have got it right.Congrats Brett on such a great post!Had real fun with this one.