7 Rebel Rules for Keeping Your Emails Out of the Spam Dungeon

You know you poured your heart into it—your best writing, your storytelling mojo, maybe even a personal moment that felt a little vulnerable to share. The email was thoughtful, honest, and meant to matter to the person receiving it.

And then it lands in the junk folder. No response. No click. No sign it was ever seen.

Oof. It’s like showing up fully—open, real, ready to connect—and getting ghosted before you even sit down. You gave it your all, and it still didn’t land.

But here’s the truth: you’re not doing anything wrong. You’re just navigating a digital world built with traps. Between spam filters, overhyped marketing tactics, and inboxes that are already overflowing, it’s no wonder your emails get buried before they ever have a chance to connect.

The good news? You don’t need to morph into some email-slinging robot or start sounding like a corporate memo from 1986. You just need to understand the invisible tripwires—and how to sashay right past them with your humanity intact.

So, before you send another brilliant (because I know you are) email into the ether, let’s talk about how to keep your messages from vanishing into spam purgatory.

7 Rebel Rules for Keeping Your Emails Out of the Spam Dungeon

Rebel Rule #1: Use Clear, Honest Language

Words matter. Certain “salesy” words like FREE! or LIMITED TIME can actually hurt your email deliverability because email systems may flag them as spam.

Instead of using hype, use clarity. Say exactly what you’re offering, and why it matters. Try words like “helpful,” “gift,” or “simple solution.” Speak like a real person who cares—and your message is more likely to reach real people who need it.

Rebel Rule #2: Keep Formatting Clean and Easy to Read

If your email is full of fonts, symbols, or ALL CAPS, it can confuse the reader—and email providers might send it straight to spam.

Stick with one font, use bold or caps only when it helps, and limit emojis. Think of your email like a well-organized room: easy to walk through and calm to be in.

Want to go a step further? Use a tool like GlockApps to check how your email looks to inbox filters.

Rebel Rule #3: Write the Subject Line After the Email

It’s hard to name something before you know what it is. That goes for emails too.

Instead of stressing about the perfect subject line first, write your email. Then go back and pull a subject from the heart of what you just wrote. This keeps it honest and aligned—and more likely to catch attention for the right reasons.

Rebel Rule #4: Write Like a Real Person

You don’t need to sound fancy. You need to sound like yourself.

Write the way you talk to someone you trust. Use stories, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to show personality. People don’t connect with “expert voice”—they connect with human voice.

The goal is to make it feel like a conversation, not a commercial.

Rebel Rule #5: Email With Intention

Just because your calendar says “send an email,” doesn’t mean you should—unless you have something meaningful to say.

Ask yourself: Is this helpful? Honest? Timely? If yes—send it. If not—wait until you do. Your audience will appreciate that you respect their time and attention.

Rebel Rule #6: Set Expectations Early

Your first few emails are your chance to let readers know what to expect from you. How often will you write? What will you share? What’s your style?

Being clear builds trust. And trust keeps people reading. Keeping your layout and tone consistent helps too—it makes people feel comfortable and confident that they’re in the right place.

Rebel Rule #7: Focus on Connection, Not Just Clicks

Email isn’t just about selling—it’s about building trust.

Sometimes that means asking a question, inviting a reply, or sharing something that makes someone think. Add a button or a link if it makes sense—but don’t overload the message.

The more focused your email is, the easier it is to respond. And those responses? They’re signs that your message is landing.

Connection

Writing good emails isn’t about tricks or fancy tools. It’s about showing up with clarity, consistency, and purpose.

When you focus on connection—rather than perfection—your emails start to feel more natural to write and more meaningful to read.

Start small. Keep it honest. And remember: every email is a chance to build trust, not just make a sale.

That’s the rebel way—one thoughtful email at a time.

🖤 Viva the Inbox Uprising.

Gregory