Email corrections: when (and how) to send a correction email

Email corrections: when (and how) to send a correction email

It’s happened to all of us. You hit send on an email, and then (moments, hours, or days) later, it hits you. Oops. That email contained a mistake. 

It’s never fun to make an email mistake, especially if you’re a professional. Multiple people can review an email campaign before it goes out, and still, something slips through every once in a while. So, what happens next?

You came here because you’re wondering if you should send an email correction. Short answer: it depends. It depends on whether it was an individual message sent from one individual to another or a marketing message sent to an entire email list, in which case, we have follow-up questions. This guide will help you navigate the nuance so that you have a clear sense of when and how to send a correction email. 

What is a correction email?

A correction email is an email sent to rectify a mistake in a previous email. That could mean erroneous text that was included in the original email, like an incorrect date, contact information, prices, etc. Or it could be sent to correct a technical error, like an incorrect or missing link. 

Should you send a correction email?

Not every mistake warrants an email correction. In fact, sometimes, a correction can do more harm than good. If the mistake is minor and unlikely to confuse recipients, you’re more likely to draw attention to something that might have otherwise gone unnoticed. Unnecessary correction emails can have the unintended consequence of reducing trust with your audience.

You can use the question of trust to guide whether or not you should send a correction email. If sending a correction is likely to increase trust or have a discernible, positive effect on the customer experience, then you want to send it. If it’s likely to add to the confusion, 

When not to send an email correction

• Minor typos: Spelling errors, minor grammatical errors, errant punctuation, etc. It’s embarrassing as an email marketer, but the truth is that most of your subscribers probably didn’t notice. Sending a correction will draw more attention to your spelling mistakes and doesn’t provide any other added benefits. 

• You changed your mind: Sometimes, you hit send and realize you don’t like your subject line or wish you’d written it differently. Changing your mind might be painful, but it doesn’t meet the threshold of email mistakes worthy of correction. 

• Leadership doesn’t love the messaging: Every email marketer has been through this one. You send an email that the team loved, only for someone in leadership to reach out and let you know they… disagree. Leadership can and should have a voice in what your email sends look like—from subject lines to CTAs—and you will want to incorporate that feedback going forward. The key here is that these changes should be included in your next email marketing campaign. It’s (usually) not worth going back and sending an email correction. 

When you might want to send a correction email

• Incorrect or broken link: Incorrect or broken links are a cause for immediate action. If your most engaged subscribers are unable to take action based on your email—whether it be purchasing a product, scheduling a call, or signing up for a webinar—then your email campaign has zero chance of succeeding. In this case, email corrections can be really short “oops” emails. Let recipients know you sent the wrong link. Provide the right one. Give ‘em the old “best regards” and sign off. 

• Incorrect logistical details: If you sent the wrong date/time for an event, the wrong price for a product, or an outdated promo code, that warrants sending a correction email. In this type of apology email, you want to really highlight the correct information by putting it in bold, increasing the text size for the corrected information, and even including the corrected information in the email subject line. (Pro tip: don’t include the incorrect information in this email. If you do, you run the risk that someone will mistakenly read that as the correct information while skimming the email.)

• Technical issue: You sent an email to the wrong email list, sent an email without an attachment, your site/email has issues that are causing transactional errors, etc. When sending an email regarding a technical issue, you want to begin by recapping what the recipient might have experienced, how it happened, and include an apology. 

• Cultural sensitivity: There may be a time when your marketing team gets an unexpected crash course in the theory of “impact vs. intention.” You might learn that your clever pun accidentally veered into the territory of cultural insensitivity. These are the times when you need to tell yourself that while you know your intentions were good, you need to own their negative impact on your audience. If you want to see an example of this being done well, check out the Methodical Coffee email in the examples section below. 

What to do before you send a correction email

Having at least 2-3 trusted colleagues review your email correction before sending is good practice. Ask them to double-check to ensure you’ve included the correct information and give it a once over for spelling and grammar mistakes. If you’re writing an apology for a more sensitive mistake, you might want to have marketing leadership or your in-house PR team (if you’ve got one) look over your correction email.

How to write a correction email

Every correction email should contain two key ingredients: an apology and amended information. Keep it short and to the point. Let your audience know what happened, provide corrected information, a quick (and sincere) apology, and sign out. Here are some templatized examples you can use to help guide writing an email correction. 

Oops email subject line options:

• Whoops! Let’s try that link again

• Correction: Webinar Date May 17

• About our earlier email: updated [date, time, price, link]

• *OOPS* Use This Promo Code Instead

Apology email template example:

New code: MEMDAY25

In our excitement to share the news about our Memorial Day sale, we sent the wrong promo code. We’re sorry for the confusion. 

Thanks for loving our products even though we make mistakes sometimes. 

Happy shopping. 

Correction email examples

Seeing examples of outstanding correction emails might just be that spark of inspiration that helps you pen better emails. Here are three of our favorite real-world examples. 

DoorDash technical error

This DoorDash email is a solid example of how to send an email correction. The subject line leads with “Whoops!” letting recipients know what to expect in one word. The email body leads with an explanation of what happened, provides accurate information, and includes an apology. This email really sets itself apart in the way the marketing team has bolded the most important information. Bolding key text makes it easier to scan, providing an improved user experience and reducing the likelihood that recipients will miss key information. 

Methodical Coffee Cultural correction

Confusing Central America for South America is an easy mistake to make (we’ll call it a brain typo), but it can have real negative impact. When Methodical Coffee company realized they’d sent out an email that miscategorized Colombia as a Central American country, they understood that this email marketing mistake could come off as culturally insensitive. What makes this correction email stand out is the way they starts with accountability (in bold). They own their mistake. Then, they explain what it was and why it matters.

Metis Foundry Broken Links

Broken links are among the most common reasons for email corrections. This email from Metis Foundry is incredibly conversational (snaps for that), explains the snafu, and most importantly, provides users with the corrected version of the link.

The bottom line on correction emails

Email mistakes happen...even to the pros with multiple review rounds and rock-solid processes. The key isn't avoiding mistakes entirely (because that's impossible), but knowing how to handle them when they pop up.

Before you fire off that correction email, ask yourself: Will this actually help my subscribers, or am I just trying to make myself feel better? If it's the latter, resist the urge. Your audience probably didn't notice that typo, and drawing attention to it won't do anyone any favors.

But when the mistake actually matters (broken links, wrong dates, cultural missteps), own it quickly and clearly. Keep your correction short, highlight the fix, and move on. Your subscribers will appreciate the transparency and the fact that you respect their time enough not to ramble.

Trust isn't built by being perfect. It's built by being reliable, honest, and human. Sometimes that means admitting you messed up and making it right.

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