The Ultimate SPAM Trigger Words List: 475 Keywords to Avoid in 2021

Tired of getting your emails sent straight into someone's spam folder?

In this article, I'll discuss how NOT to get your emails flagged as SPAM. I've also included the ultimate spam trigger words list that you should avoid.

From now on, I want you to imagine that your target’s email inbox is an exclusive nightclub.

You’re wearing your favorite outfit, you step out of your cab, and you get in line. Only one thing separates you from all the fun times in store…

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Before you start doubting yourself, let me give you a few pointers. Think of me as your email marketing wingman.

Whether you’re sending 10,000 emails at once or one email at a time, you are a smart email marketer when you know the difference between words that trigger spam filters and inbox bound words that grab your target’s attention and piques their interest. 

 Pulling this off is not always easy. Some people even claim that email marketing isn’t effective anymore. I have a feeling the same people are the reason we now have spam filters. Let me tell you, it IS still very effective.

Spam keywords are labeled such for a reason. Spammy words are really just signals of annoying behaviors. Therefore, I have broken down the ultimate spam trigger words list into six annoying behavior groups. 

Avoid these behaviors and their respective spam words if you can help it. In your emails, you don't want to come off as:

  • Needy (making exaggerated claims)
  • Sleazy (being too pushy)
  • Manipulative (sudden/unnecessary urgency)
  • Cheap (no pre-qualification/everybody wins)
  • Far-fetched (too good to be true)
  • Shady (ethically/legally questionable)

In addition to the behaviors and words to avoid, I’ll include a few tips to try instead.But don't forget one of the most important aspects of your email campaign: the subject line. If the subject line sucks, no one will even open your email.

So once you're past the SPAM filter, check out our sweet guide on how to craft the perfect subject lines for your emails to increase your open rates!

Also, we have other great guides at Automational.com.

So… to paint my nightclub analogy a little better let’s call this club, Club Value. You’re in line. There are two bouncers at the door. Neither of them know who you are. Both are looking for any reason to deny you entry. 

One bouncer is trained to detect email spam trigger words and the other bouncer is trained to detect annoying spammy behaviors. If you play it cool, you’ll make it inside. If you brought your A-game, the club owner (the target) may come and hang out with you.

Avoid Making Exaggerated Claims with Spam Trigger Words

If you truly have something of value, you do not have to be needy. Here are some words and phrases that sound desperate. No matter how tempted you are, don't make exaggerated claims, ever!

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    #1
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    100%
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    100% free
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    100% satisfied
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    50% off
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    Ad
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    All New
  • 8
    Bargain
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    Best Price
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    Bonus
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    Brand New Pager
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    Claims not to be selling anything
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    Cost
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    Costs
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    Credit
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    Discount
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    Don’t delete
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    Email harvest
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    Email marketing
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    F r e e
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    Fast cash
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    For free
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    For instant access
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    For just $xxx
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    For just $yyy
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    For only
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    For you
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    Free
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    Free and free
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    Free consultation
  • 31
    Free dvd
  • 32
    Free gift
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    Free sample
  • 34
    Free trial
  • 35
    Free website
  • 36
    Gift certificate
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    Give it away
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    Giving away
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    Giving it away
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    Great
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    Great offer
  • 42
    Incredible deal
  • 43
    Insurance
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    Internet market
  • 45
    Internet marketing
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    It’s effective
  • 47
    Lower interest rate
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    Lowest interest rate
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    Lowest insurance rates
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    Lowest price
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    Luxury
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    Luxury car
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    Mortgage
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    Mortgage rates
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    Name Brand
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    New domain extensions
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    One hundred percent free
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    Outstanding values
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    Please read
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    Prize
  • 61
    Prizes
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    Profits
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    Promise
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    Promise you
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    Sale
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    Sales
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    Sample
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    Satisfaction
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    Satisfaction guaranteed
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    Stainless Steel
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    Stuff on sale
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    The best rates
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    We hate spam
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    Web traffic
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    Will not believe your eyes

Avoid Sounding Sleazy or Being too Pushy with Spam Words

Nobody likes to be pressured. Notice how the following words and phrases make you feel a little hesitant. They sound sleazy and pushy. Don't be one of those people.

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    Accept credit cards
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    Accordingly
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    As seen on
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    Avoid
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    Cannot be combined with any other offer
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    Check
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    Check or money order
  • 83
    Click
  • 84
    Click Below
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    Click Here
  • 86
    Click to remove
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    Compete for your business
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    Deal
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    Debt
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    Direct email
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    Direct marketing
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    Do it today
  • 93
    Don’t hesitate
  • 94
    Form
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    Free access
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    Free instant
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    Full refund
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    Investment
  • 99
    Investment decision
  • 100
    Life
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    Life insurance
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    Lifetime
  • 103
    Mail in order form
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    Month trial offer
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    Never
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    Not junk
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    Not spam
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    Notspam
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    Now
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    Obligation
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    Offers
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    One time mailing
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    Only
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    Only $
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    Open
  • 116
    Opt-in
  • 117
    Order
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    Order now
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    Order shipped by
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    Order status
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    Order today
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    Orders shipped by
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    Pennies a day
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    Per day
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    Per week
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    Phone
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    Presently
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    Price
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    Prices
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    Print form signature
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    Print out and fax
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    Priority mail
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    Produced and sent out
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    Purchase
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    Quote
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    Rates
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    Refund
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    Regarding
  • 139
    Removal
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    Removal instructions
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    Remove
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    Save up to
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    Serious only
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    Shopper
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    Sign up free today
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    Solution
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    Strong buy
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    Subscribe
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    Take action
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    Tack action now
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    Tells you it’s an ad
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    Terms and conditions
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    The following form
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    Trial
  • 155
    Trial unlimited
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    Unlimited
  • 157
    Unlimited trial
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    What are you waiting for?
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    What’s keeping you? Nl1Unsubscribe
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    Visit our website

Avoid Creating Unnecessary Urgency with Spammy Words

Urgency is sales 101. However, it is not up to you to instill a sense of urgency. If there is enough value in what you have to offer, urgency will happen naturally. 

There is nothing wrong with urging your prospect to take action, but do your best to avoid creating urgency too soon.

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    Act Now
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    Act Now!
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    Action
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    Apply now
  • 165
    Apply online
  • 166
    Buy
  • 167
    Buy Direct
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    Buying judgements
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    Call
  • 170
    Call free
  • 171
    Call now
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    Can’t live without
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    Clearance
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    Drastically reduced
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    Exclusive deal
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    Expire
  • 177
    Get
  • 178
    Get it now
  • 179
    Get started now
  • 180
    Here
  • 181
    Important information
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    Important information regarding
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    Instant
  • 184
    Limited
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    Limited time
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    Limited time offer
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    Limited time only
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    New customers only
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    Now only
  • 190
    Offer expires
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    Once in a lifetime
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    Once in lifetime
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    One time
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    One-time
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    Serious
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    Special promotion
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    Supplies
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    Supplies are limited
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    This won’t last
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    Time limited
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    Urgent
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    While supplies last

Avoid Cheapening Your Offer with Spam Keywords

One thing to keep in mind when offering something is that the more available it is, the lower the perceived value. People want what they cannot have. Position your value proposition in a way that makes the prospect chase you. And avoid these spam filter words:

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    4u
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    Acceptance
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    Access
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    Avoid Bankruptcy
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    Being a member
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    Boss
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    Bulk Email
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    Cancel
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    Cancel at any time
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    Card accepted
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    Cards accepted
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    Cents on the dollar
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    Certified
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    Chance
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    Cheap
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    Compare
  • 219
    Compare rates
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    Congratulations
  • 221
    Credit card offers
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    Cures
  • 223
    Cures baldness
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    Dear [email/friend/somebody]
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    Dear friend
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    Dormant
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    Easy terms
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    Expect to earn
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    Free grant money
  • 230
    Free hosting
  • 231
    Free info
  • 232
    Free installation
  • 233
    Free membership
  • 234
    Freedom
  • 235
    Friend
  • 236
    Get out of debt
  • 237
    Have you been turned down?
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    Guarantee
  • 239
    Guaranteed
  • 240
    Hello
  • 241
    Info you requested
  • 242
    Information you requested
  • 243
    Join millions
  • 244
    Join millions of Americans
  • 245
    Marketing
  • 246
    Marketing solutions
  • 247
    Mass email
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    Member
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    Member stuff
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    No age restrictions
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    No claim forms
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    No experience
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    No inventory
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    No investment
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    No medical exams
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    No middleman
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    No obligation
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    No purchase necessary
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    No questions asked
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    Offer
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    One hundred percent guaranteed
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    Opportunity
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    Pre-approved
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    Save $
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    Save big money
  • 266
    Save money
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    See for yourself
  • 268
    Success
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    Thousands
  • 270
    We honor all
  • 271
    Win
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    Winner
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    Winning
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    Won
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    You are a winner!
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    You have been selected!
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    You’re a winner!

Avoid Sounding Too Good To Be True with Spamming Words

People’s BS filters are on high alert now more than ever. If your target feels like your offer is too good to be true, you’re done. Spamming words like the ones below can make your message seem far fetched.

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    Additional Income
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    All Natural
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    Amazing
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    Amazing stuff
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    Be Amazed
  • 283
    Be your own boss
  • 284
    Big Bucks
  • 285
    Billion
  • 286
    Billion Dollars
  • 287
    Cash
  • 288
    Cash bonus
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    Cashcashcash
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    Consolidate debt and credit
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    Consolidate your debt
  • 292
    Double your
  • 293
    Double your cash
  • 294
    Double your income
  • 295
    Earn
  • 296
    Earn $
  • 297
    Earn Cash
  • 298
    Earn extra cash
  • 299
    Earn per week
  • 300
    Eliminate bad credit
  • 301
    Eliminate debt
  • 302
    Explode your business
  • 303
    Extra
  • 304
    Extra cash
  • 305
    Extra income
  • 306
    Fantastic
  • 307
    Fantastic deal
  • 308
    Financial freedom
  • 309
    Financially independent
  • 310
    Free investment
  • 311
    Free leads
  • 312
    Free money
  • 313
    Free offer
  • 314
    Free preview
  • 315
    Free priority mail
  • 316
    Free quote
  • 317
    Get paid
  • 318
    Home
  • 319
    Home based
  • 320
    Home based business
  • 321
    Home employment
  • 322
    Homebased business
  • 323
    If only it were that easy
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    Income
  • 325
    Income from home
  • 326
    Increase sales
  • 327
    Increase traffic
  • 328
    Increase your sales
  • 329
    Lose
  • 330
    Lose weight
  • 331
    Lose weight spam
  • 332
    Lower monthly payment
  • 333
    Lower monthly payments
  • 334
    Lower your mortgage rate
  • 335
    Make $
  • 336
    Make money
  • 337
    Million
  • 338
    Million dollars
  • 339
    Money back
  • 340
    Money making
  • 341
    More internet traffic
  • 342
    Multi level marketing
  • 343
    Multilevel marketing
  • 344
    No catch
  • 345
    No cost
  • 346
    No credit check
  • 347
    No disappointment
  • 348
    No fees
  • 349
    No gimmick
  • 350
    No gimmicks
  • 351
    No hidden
  • 352
    No hidden costs
  • 353
    No interest
  • 354
    No interests
  • 355
    No selling
  • 356
    No strings attached
  • 357
    No obligation
  • 358
    Online biz opportunity
  • 359
    Performance
  • 360
    Potential earnings
  • 361
    Pure Profit
  • 362
    Pure profits
  • 363
    Real thing
  • 364
    Removes wrinkles
  • 365
    Reverses
  • 366
    Reverses aging
  • 367
    Risk free
  • 368
    Serious cash
  • 369
    Stop
  • 370
    Stop snoring
  • 371
    They’re just giving it away
  • 372
    Vacation
  • 373
    Vacation offers
  • 374
    Weekend getaway
  • 375
    Weight
  • 376
    Weight loss
  • 377
    While you sleep
  • 378
    Why pay more?
  • 379
    Work at home
  • 380
    Work from home

Avoid Being Shady or Unethical

As long as there are gullible people in the world, there will be rascals online that try to get one over on them. Even if you have good intentions, the following words may trigger the spam filter, so use with caution.

Should your message still make it to your target’s inbox, you run the risk of sounding shady when using words like the following:

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    Addresses
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    Addresses on cd
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    Auto email removal
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    Beneficiary
  • 385
    Beverage
  • 386
    Billing
  • 387
    Billing Address
  • 388
    Cable Converter
  • 389
    Calling creditors
  • 390
    Casino
  • 391
    Celebrity
  • 392
    Cell phone cancer scam
  • 393
    They make a claim or claims that they're in accordance with  spam law
  • 394
    Claims to be legal
  • 395
    Collect child support
  • 396
    Confidentiality on all orders
  • 397
    Copy accurately
  • 398
    Copy dvds
  • 399
    Credit bureaus
  • 400
    Diagnostics
  • 401
    Dig up dirt on friends
  • 402
    Fast Viagra delivery
  • 403
    Free cell phone
  • 404
    Hidden
  • 405
    Hidden assets
  • 406
    Hidden charges
  • 407
    Human growth hormone
  • 408
    In accordance with laws
  • 409
    Junk
  • 410
    Laser printer
  • 411
    Leave
  • 412
    Legal
  • 413
    Loan
  • 414
    Loans
  • 415
    Long distance phone number
  • 416
    Medicine
  • 417
    Medium
  • 418
    Meet singles
  • 419
    Message contains
  • 420
    Message contains disclaimer
  • 421
    Miracle
  • 422
    Mlm
  • 423
    Money
  • 424
    Nigerian
  • 425
    Off shore
  • 426
    Offshore
  • 427
    Online degree
  • 428
    Online marketing
  • 429
    Online pharmacy
  • 430
    Orders shipped by shopper
  • 431
    Passwords
  • 432
    Problem
  • 433
    Refinance
  • 434
    Refinance home
  • 435
    Request
  • 436
    Requires initial investment
  • 437
    Reserves the right
  • 438
    Rolex
  • 439
    Safeguard notice
  • 440
    Score
  • 441
    Score with babes
  • 442
    Search engine listings
  • 443
    Search engines
  • 444
    Section 301
  • 445
    Sent in compliance
  • 446
    Shopping spree
  • 447
    Social security number
  • 448
    Spam
  • 449
    Stock alert
  • 450
    Stock disclaimer statement
  • 451
    Stock pick
  • 452
    Subject to cash
  • 453
    Subject to credit
  • 454
    Talks about hidden charges
  • 455
    Teen
  • 456
    Terms
  • 457
    They try to keep your money, no refund
  • 458
    This isn’t spam
  • 459
    This isn’t junk
  • 460
    Undisclosed recipient
  • 461
    University diplomas
  • 462
    Unsecured credit
  • 463
    Unsecured debt
  • 464
    Unsolicited
  • 465
    U.S. dollars
  • 466
    Valium
  • 467
    Viagra
  • 468
    Vicodin
  • 469
    The email asks for a credit card
  • 470
    Warranty
  • 471
    Who really wins?
  • 472
    Wife
  • 473
    Xanax
  • 474
    Your income
  • 475
    Lambo

So What Do You Say Instead?

There are certain spam words that immediately raise suspicion. Then there are milder words that are hit and miss. There really is no one size fits all solution to effective email marketing. The main thing to remember when composing an email is to do so from a position of value.

Don’t give it all away! Compose your email with just enough information to incite intrigue within your target. Ask thought provoking questions. Write conversationally. Figure out a way to make your target come to you.

There is nothing wrong with including some of the words listed in this article in your emails. But use them sparingly or try to figure out an alternative if you can.

Conclusion

Once you get the hang of it, Club Value will see you coming and you may just start skipping the line to get in.


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