Hey it’s Chase and Jimmy here!

Your emails deserve better than the spam folder.

A high bounce rate isn’t just annoying—it tanks your sender reputation, wrecks deliverability, and makes your best campaigns fall flat. But the good news? It’s fixable. And often faster than you think.

From list hygiene to smarter segmentation, we’re breaking down 10 simple ways to bring that bounce rate down and keep your emails landing where they belong: the inbox.

Plus, scroll on for Chase's copywriting cheat sheet you'll want to steal and Omnisend's most powerful email strategies for 2025.

Let’s get into it.

💸 From Trends to Tips: How to Increase Revenue in 2025

Your highest-value customers are sitting right in your email and SMS lists—but if you’re sending them the same messages as everyone else, you’re missing out on serious revenue potential. In Omnisend's latest webinar, they break down the exact retention strategies to turn one-time buyers into loyal customers and drive repeat revenue without the guesswork.

Here's what they're diving into:

✅ The biggest retention mistakes brands make (and how to fix them)
✅ How to segment and message your top customers for long-term loyalty
✅ Proven email & SMS flows that drive repeat purchases
✅ Real examples of brands winning with retention

💡 Knowledge Drop of The Week:

Chase recently dropped his copywriting cheat sheet! He breaks down the psychology behind the who, what, where, when and why so you can maximize conversions.

10 Effective Ways to Reduce Your Email Bounce Rate

When your bounce rate is too high, inboxes stop trusting you. Your emails get flagged. Your reach drops. Even your best campaigns fall flat. Ouch.

But it doesn’t have to stay that way. Bounce rate issues are fixable, and often faster than you think. Let’s look at 10 simple ways to bring that number down.

1. Only send to real, consented people

First rule of email marketing: never send to strangers. Make sure your list is full of real people who asked to hear from you. Quality over quantity, always!

Purchased lists? Hard no. Random email scrapes? Don’t even think about it.

And when you run giveaways, assume some folks are in it just for the prize. Separate those emails and watch their engagement before you add them to your regular flow.

Instead, grow your list with people who actually want to be on it. Offer value they care about, like exclusive discounts, early access to drops, or VIP-only content.

2. Use double opt-in to confirm sign-up

Double opt-in is when you ask new subscribers to confirm their subscription via email. While single opt-in feels easier, double opt-in is a bounce-busting power move.

Here’s how Polaroid does it:

By asking new subscribers to confirm their email, you cut out a lot of noise: fake addresses, typos, bots, and window-shoppers who forgot they even signed up.

Only real, interested people get on your list. And that keeps your bounce rate low and your engagement rate strong.

Remember: If your list growth feels slower at first, don’t worry. You’re playing the long game here. A clean list is a high-performing list.

3. Regularly clean up your list

You tidy your house. You clear your inbox. So why not do the same for your email list?

Cleaning your list regularly helps tighten your signal and improve your sender reputation so more of your messages hit the inbox instead of the spam folder.

Once a month (or at least quarterly), take the time to:

• Remove fake, misspelled, or outdated emails

• Get rid of inactive subscribers (we’ll talk more about that below)

• Check for bounces and suppress them before your next send

Pro Tip: Don’t just delete unengaged contacts right away. Try sending them a re-engagement email or “are you still with us?” campaign. If they don’t bite, it’s time to let go.

4. Give soft bounces a little space

Not every bounce is a dead end. Soft bounces are often temporary – maybe the recipient’s inbox is full, or their email server is being weird.

But repeated soft bounces from the same address? That’s a sign something’s off.

Here’s what you need to do:

• Create a segment for emails that have bounced a few times (say, 3-4 in 90 days).

• Pause sending to that group for a while (about 90 days).

• After the break, try again. If they still bounce, give them another timeout.

This gives temporary issues time to resolve, without harming your sender reputation.

5. Create smarter segments

Segmentation helps you cut through the noise by speaking directly to different parts of your audience. You can segment your subscribers by:

• What they’ve bought (or browsed)

• How often they engage with your emails

• Time since their last purchase

• What kind of content they signed up for

For example, check out this personalized product recs email from Francesca’s:

Targeted emails = more opens and clicks = better deliverability. Plus, it shows email providers you’re not spammy. You’re just really good at knowing your audience.

6. Stick to a schedule that works

Not everyone needs (or wants) to hear from you at the same pace. Find a sending rhythm that matches each subscriber’s level of engagement.

For example:

• Highly engaged subscribers can handle multiple emails a week (daily, even).

• Mildly engaged subscribers might prefer a weekly or bi-weekly cadence.

• Inactive subscribers should go into a re-engagement or “sunset” flow.

Pro Tip: Try not to send to unengaged subscribers more than 15% of the time. It’s a good balance between reach and reputation.

7. Use a branded sender domain

This is a simple switch that can make a huge difference.

Instead of sending from a free email domain like Gmail or Yahoo, set up a sender email that matches your store’s domain (like [email protected]).

It helps you build trust with your subscribers, look more professional and keep spam filters happy. You’re also able to stay compliant with email laws.

8. Make A/B testing a habit

A/B testing plays a huge role in reducing bounce rates. It helps you uncover what works best, and the more dialed-in your emails are, the less likely they are to bounce.

Here’s what to test regularly:

• Subject lines: Try including first names, switching up the tone, or using catchy hooks.

• Offers: See which type of discount or perk drives more clicks.

• Design: Does your audience prefer clean, minimalist emails or bold and colorful ones?

• Send times: Morning vs. evening, weekdays vs. weekends.

• CTAs: “Shop now” vs. “Get the deal” vs. “See what’s new.”

Pro Tip: Start with one variable at a time, keep track of the results, and use that data to guide your next send.

9. Let subscribers update their preferences

Not all inactive subscribers are lost forever. Some just want fewer emails. Others might want different types of content. So ask!

Send a quick email inviting them to update their preferences. You can also include a “Manage Preferences” link permanently in your footer (e.g. next to the unsubscribe link).

Give subscribers options like:

• How often they want emails

• What kind of content they’re into (sales, new arrivals, behind-the-scenes, etc.)

• Whether they want to stay subscribed

Giving people more control over their inbox reduces unsubscribes and spam complaints. Plus, it shows your audience you respect their time and attention.

10. Pay attention to your subject lines

Your subject line is your first chance to grab attention. If it’s spammy, misleading, or too aggressive, your email could get flagged (or skipped).

Here’s how to keep things inbox-friendly:

• Keep it short. 7 words or fewer is a good rule.

• Avoid excessive punctuation or all caps. 🚨!!! BIG SALE NOW!!! 🚨 is a no-go.

• Use personalization when it makes sense.

• Don’t overpromise. Make sure your email content delivers on the subject line.

• Use preview text to support or expand on your subject line.

• Test everything. What works for one list might flop with another.

In short: your subject line should sound like a human wrote it for another human. Keep it relevant, and the opens (and inbox placement) will follow.

Final thoughts: Bounce rates don’t stand a chance

Bounces can be annoying, but they’re not unbeatable. With a little attention and the right habits, you can keep your emails landing in inboxes where they belong.

Here’s a quick recap of what we covered:

✅ Send to people who opted in. Stick with real, consented subscribers and use double opt-in to keep your list clean from the start.

✅ Clean your list regularly. Remove invalid emails, give soft bounces space, and re-engage before you let go.

✅ Segment your audience. Send more relevant emails by tailoring your message based on interests and engagement.

✅ Optimize your send schedule. Match your cadence to how active your subscribers are, and give them control with preference options.

✅ Test and tweak everything. Subject lines, timing, design – keep adjusting based on what works best for your audience.

Stick to these habits and you’ll protect your sender reputation, reduce bounces, and get better results from every send.

⚠️ The Avalara Shutdown Is Just the Beginning—Is Your Brand Prepared?

Avalara AvaTax shuts down this month. But that’s just one part of the compliance storm ahead.

Hidden compliance risks most DTC brands overlook:

• Expanding tax nexus obligations across the U.S.

• Changing state-by-state filing requirements

• Increasing scrutiny from auditors

Why brands are switching to Kintsugi now:

✔ Future-proof AI technology—automatically adapts to new regulations
✔ No long-term contracts—pay only when you file
✔ White-glove migration—3-5 days, no operational disruptions
✔ Error-proof guarantee—financially backed protection

“We switched from Avalara and instantly saved 35% on compliance costs—without the headaches.”

Kintsugi offers no-obligation demos where they’ll analyze your current setup and show exactly how our system would work with your specific business model.

🔥 DTC wins:

April showers bring Murakami flowers—The TAKASHI MURAKAMI x CASETiFY: MR. DOB collaboration drops April 11th! The vibrant collection features MR. DOB front and center, the character at the heart of the legendary artist's work.

Annnnd that’s a wrap for this edition! 

Thanks for hanging with Chase and me—always a pleasure to have you here.

If you found this newsletter helpful (or even just a little fun), don’t keep it to yourself! Share ecomemailmarketer.com with your favorite DTC marketer. Let’s get them on board so they don’t miss next week’s drops.

Remember: Do shit you love.

🤘 Jimmy Kim & Chase Dimond

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