Guidelines for Crafting an Accurate Email to Correct Errors or Typographical Blunders
In the fast-paced world where communication is essential, even a minor mistake in an email campaign can have significant repercussions. Here's how to address and correct common errors that may arise in your email communications, ensuring a professional and polished image at all times.
When you're in a rush and overlook a typo in your marketing emails, it can be disheartening. However, remain calm, and follow our tips for rectifying the error promptly. If you've never encountered such an incident, you'll find learning what to watch out for a valuable lesson.
If you're struggle late at night, our website offers round-the-clock support. Try it out now, and benefit from chat, email, and phone assistance at any time.
Sign up for free## Common Email Errors
Marketing experts are not exempt from errors, and there are plenty of them you might not be aware of. So, let us delve into the most prevalent mistakes.
Spelling and grammar blunders
A lapse in concentration, a lack of time to prepare, or a skipped cup of coffee can cause an email with shoddy spelling and grammar to reach thousands of your subscribers. For example, if your subject line reads "Your going to love this," it might give the wrong impression.
While grammar and spelling mistakes in marketing emails may vary in severity, they can still be unprofessional. Old data shows that 97.2% of consumers say a grammar mistake in branded content alters their opinion of a company. Despite the statistics being somewhat old, the topic remains under-researched, and changing opinions is uncommon. Regardless, proofreading your emails remains crucial.
Little typos? Everyone has them. But our website's AI assistant offers a solution. In "Proofreader" mode, it corrects all typos with a single click. Additionally, whether you need a "Psychologist" for more relatable emails or a "Marketer" for an impeccable call-to-action, our platform has got you covered.
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Try our website### Selection of the wrong recipient
Wrong recipients are a common mishap. Imagine marketer Ally, who sent an upsell email to partners who had already claimed the offer, causing quite a faux pas. The wrong recipient can result from a human error or technical issues, affecting automated marketing emails as well. For example, marketing software company Emma sent confirmation emails to subscribers who had already opted in but didn't require them.
The clipped subject line
Not all email clients provide ample space for subject lines, and if the line is not long enough, it can get cut off to fit the page layout. The resulting abbreviated subject lines can be misleading or even embarrassing.
The unintentional disclosure of sensitive data
This is the most serious error on the list, and it could lead to legal issues against your company. Data leaks can range from accidentally revealing confidential company information or mass mailing customer information to using a street photo with visible car license plates.
Data leaks can have severe consequences for your business, but recovery is possible. By sending a rectification email and employing crisis management techniques, you can navigate many challenges. But prevention is better than a cure - always double-check your emails and strengthen your data security measures before pressing "Send."
The broken image
You have worked hard to create an attractive email, choosing visually appealing images carefully. But if your subscribers see a broken image, it can tarnish your efforts. This might occur due to HTML code errors or due to email clients that do not support specific image formats. To prevent such issues, you can use image validation tools like Email on Acid. To enhance email accessibility, be sure to include alternate text for visual content, ensuring people with visual impairments or slow internet connections don't miss out.
The missing or defective link
Broken or missing links in marketing emails can lead to a drop in revenue and worsen the customer experience. For instance, if the pre-order link directs to an error page or the CTA button for a new collection is unclickable, subscribers may become frustrated. In such cases, an apology email is necessary – like the one Mi Piaci sent.
Incorrect dates
If you schedule a one-day-only sale or an event, sending an announcement email with the wrong date can create chaos, triggering numerous questions, and potentially eroding your customers' trust. Although rare, mixed-up dates are more common than you might imagine. For example, Ready Set Romper sent an email with incorrect Instagram Live details. Sometimes, one may also make an error in predicting the date for holidays like Easter or Mother's Day. In 2025, Interflora had to issue a correction after mistakenly listing the wrong date for UK Mother's Day in their campaign.
Wrong promo or discount code
Names, dates, missing pictures, links – customers can often tolerate a lot. However, the most annoying mistake is an invalid discount or promo code. Imagine having the perfect deal in front of you, only to find out that you can't redeem it.
How to send a correction email
A typo in an email is not a catastrophic setback. But acknowledge and address the issue promptly to minimize the fallout. To assist you in creating an effective apology email, we've outlined the process.
Assess whether a correction is necessary
Not all typos are equal – consider these questions before sending a correction email:
- Did the typo spread misinformation? For example, supposing you advertised a webinar starting at 12 PM, but you sent the wrong time to subscribers.
- Was the typo offensive? Such as spelling a word incorrectly, resulting in a swear word or slur.
- Did the typo prevent subscribers from completing the intended action? For instance, a misspelled link directed to an error page, or an invalid discount code denied subscribers the promoted offer.
- Did the typo change the meaning of your message? For example, "Free shopping" and "Free shipping" have different implications.
Assemble a list of everyone who received the earlier campaign
There's no need to broadcast an error in your email, as drawing excessive attention to it could amplify the issue. Instead, send a correction email only to those subscribers affected by the mistake at hand.
Decide on the method for addressing the error
The ideal apology email comprises the following elements:
- A brief explanation of the error in a clear and concise manner. For example, "Last night, we mistakenly sent you an email with a broken link."
- A short instruction for subscribers, guiding them on how to proceed in light of the error correction. For example, "The correct link for our new collection can be found here."
- An assurance that the mistake won't happen again, paired with a promise to improve for future campaigns.
- Compensation for the inconvenience, such as offering a one-time code for a discount.
Craft a suitable response
The perfect apology email should adhere to email etiquette. For tips on effectively drafting an apology, please consult Ally's advice:
- Keep it succinct. A correction email should be brief, providing the essential details without being verbose. Explain the error, rectify it if possible, apologize, and, if necessary, make amends.
- Transmit your email as a response. Your subscribers' inboxes are likely crowded, and a random correction email could be overlooked amidst a sea of other messages. Sending it as a response to the initial campaign aids in clarifying the situation for customers.
- Steer clear of blame-shifting. Don't use phrases such as "Our intern/colleague made a mistake – they'll be reprimanded." Even as a jokingly, blame-shifting comes across as unprofessional and undermines a company's accountability. A straightforward admission of the error is more honest and leaves a lasting impression.
- Maintain a light-hearted tone. The humor in your apology depends on the error – for instance, if the mistake is minor and not offensive to customers, it's acceptable to use a friendly and relaxed tone. However, avoid jokes in serious matters like data breaches.
- Preserve your brand's voice. Just as your promotional emails reflect your brand's personality, an apology email should too. If your emails are playful and casual, a formal, bureaucratic apology could appear jarring to customers.
Choose an appropriate subject line
Unlike promotional campaigns, correction emails require a more structured subject line. Typical subjects for these emails include phrases like "Let's try again," "Oops, we made a mistake," "Sorry, we fixed the link," and "Apologies for the error" to quickly identify them in the inbox.
Templates for correction emails
Need help composing a perfect apology email? We've curated five correction email templates to help you get started. Customize these templates to suit your needs:
Template for an apology email with a broken link
Dear [Name],
We recently emailed you a campaign with the subject line [subject], which contained a broken link to [website]. Apologies for the inconvenience it may have caused you. Here's the corrected [link].
We're deeply sorry for the oversight and will be more vigilant in checking our links before press "Send" in the future.
Sincerely,
[Name]
Template for an apology email with a faulty discount code
Dear [Name],
In our latest email, the discount code you received, [incorrect code], turned out to be invalid. Our apologies for the confusion. Here's the correct code to redeem the offer: [new code].
Again, we apologize for the inconvenience, and we hope this resolve any issues you encountered.
Sincerely,
[Name]
Template for an apology email regarding misinformation
Dear [Name],
We recently sent you an email that stated [incorrect information]. We now realize it was a misprint. Here's the corrected information: [correct information].
Please accept our sincere apologies for any confusion caused, and rest assured we will be more diligent in our proofreading in the future.
Sincerely,
[Name]
Template for an apology email for an offensive typo
Dear [Name],
We noticed an issue in our recent email [subject/preheader/header/CTA/etc.], which may have given a wrong impression. We are truly sorry for any offense caused. The proper version should have been [the correct variant].
Please know that it was unintentional, and we apologize sincerely. We strive to deliver error-free mail, and we have improved our email proofing process to prevent a recurrence.
Sincerely,[Name]
Template for an apology email for a mistake that caused misunderstanding
Dear [Name],
We regret to inform you that we made an error in our last email. Instead of [the correct version], it mistakenly read [the incorrect version].
Please forgive us, as it was a simple oversight on our part. We recognize that this error may have caused confusion, and we take full responsibility for it. Rest assured, we will review our email production process to prevent such mistakes from happening in the future.
Sincerely,
[Name]
Final thoughts
Email mistakes can mar your professional image, cause customer frustration, or hinder business growth. However, making an error doesn't have to spell disaster for your company. By addressing the mistake with the right correction email, you can mend fences and ensure customer trust is restored.
Here's the apology email we sent following our own mistake:
If you're looking for an honest email marketing newsletter replete with insights, inspiration, and our personal experiences, FWD is the way to go! Subscribe now and gain 21 foolproof, expert-reviewed tips on growing your email list.
Here are three sentences that contain the given words and follow from the text:
- Proofreading your emails is crucial to maintain a professional image, especially when it comes to email marketing, where small typos or grammar mistakes can still be unprofessional (grammar and spelling mistakes).
- If you're in need of a reliable ai assistant to help with your email marketing tasks, such as proofreading and creating visually appealing templates, our platform provides astounding features like "Proofreader" and expert support in various areas like psychology and marketing (email templates, website).
- When encountering issues with email marketing, such as sending the wrong message to the incorrect recipients, it's essential to employ proper crisis management techniques and rectify the error promptly. This helps maintain customer trust and loyalty (selection of wrong recipients, crisis management).
