Hello, Changemaker!

Karen Nilsen

Hi I’m Karen. I want to share with you the tactics I’ve used to build digital power and engage a supporter base of millions. Are you ready? Let’s get started!

Do You Know Why You’re Building an Email List?

Serious question. Success is more than a number. It’s an outcome. An increase in list size isn’t an end-goal; 1,000 inactive contacts are worth less to your cause than one engaged supporter! Your aim...

2 minute read

Serious question. Success is more than a number. It’s an outcome. An increase in list size isn’t an end-goal; 1,000...

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Never Assume Anyone Knows What You’re Talking about

Imagine you’re seeing a 25% open rate on your emails. That means whenever you send a broadcast, 3 in every 4 recipients will be unfamiliar with what you sent last time. Some recipients will be new to...

2 minute read

Imagine you’re seeing a 25% open rate on your emails. That means whenever you send a broadcast, 3 in every 4 recipients will...

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Find out more
What’s the Perfect Subject Line Length?

In 2026, more emails are being viewed on iPhones than any other device. The average iPhone affords us a measly 41 characters before subject lines are cropped. That’s roughly seven words. Anything beyond this and you...

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In 2026, more emails are being viewed on iPhones than any other device. The average iPhone affords us a measly 41 characters...

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Why We Need to Stop Thinking about Email as a ‘Broadcast’ Medium

Think of a radio tower. Broadcast signals beaming far and wide. Most people think about email broadcasts this way. Please don’t think about email broadcasts this way. Broadcast communication is, by default, impersonal. Because...

2 minute read

Think of a radio tower. Broadcast signals beaming far and wide. Most people think about email broadcasts this way. Please don’t think...

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11 Tips That Will Help You Write Better Subject Lines

Don’t undercut a great email by hiding it behind a poor subject line. These few words have the power to make or break your broadcast. Inboxes are generally cluttered, un-fun places. You can either...

3 minute read

Don’t undercut a great email by hiding it behind a poor subject line. These few words have the power to make or...

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Buttons vs Links: Which Converts More Clicks?

If your action email has one job—to get your supporter to click through to a destination—then what’s the quickest way to get them there? In the history of Animals Australia’s (several thousand) email broadcasts, there’s no...

2 minute read

If your action email has one job—to get your supporter to click through to a destination—then what’s the quickest way to get...

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