If you’re sending cold emails or following up on leads, you probably want to know who’s actually paying attention. It’s easy to think you’re crushing it—until you realize half your emails are getting ignored. This guide is for anyone who wants to cut through the noise and actually see what’s working, using Leadmagic. Whether you’re in sales, recruiting, or just trying to get a reply, tracking prospect engagement with email analytics is the difference between guessing and knowing.
Here’s how to do it, step by step—plus a few things most people get wrong.
Step 1: Understand What Email Analytics Can (and Can’t) Tell You
Before you start tracking, know this: email analytics isn’t magic. It’ll show you opens, clicks, and sometimes replies—but it won’t tell you why someone ghosted you or what they’re thinking. Here’s what you can actually measure with Leadmagic:
- Opens: Did someone open your email? (Yes, but… see the caveats below.)
- Clicks: Did they click a link in your email?
- Replies: Did they respond, and when?
- Bounces: Did your email even make it to their inbox?
What you can’t reliably measure:
- Whether your email was read in depth or just previewed.
- If it landed in spam (unless it bounces back).
- If someone forwarded it to a decision maker.
Pro tip:
Every email tracking tool, including Leadmagic, relies on tracking pixels and special links. Opens aren’t 100% accurate—some email clients block images, and privacy features (like Apple’s Mail Privacy Protection) can inflate open rates. Don’t obsess over single opens; look for patterns and trends.
Step 2: Set Up Email Tracking in Leadmagic
Assuming you’ve already got a Leadmagic account, here’s how to get tracking up and running:
- Connect Your Email Account
- Go to your Leadmagic dashboard.
- Click on “Settings” or “Integrations” (the naming might change, but you’re looking for where to connect Gmail, Outlook, or other providers).
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Authorize Leadmagic to send and track emails on your behalf.
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Enable Tracking Features
- Most Leadmagic plans have tracking on by default, but double-check.
- Look for settings like “Track Opens” and “Track Clicks”—make sure they’re toggled on.
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If you’re sending from a shared inbox, confirm tracking works for all users.
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Test It Yourself
- Send a test email to your personal address.
- Open the email, click a link, and check the Leadmagic dashboard for activity.
- If nothing shows up, review your settings or email support. Better to catch issues now than after your campaign goes live.
What to ignore:
Don’t get caught up in obscure advanced settings (like custom tracking domains) unless you know exactly what you’re doing. They can cause more headaches than they solve for most people.
Step 3: Send Your Emails (and Tag Them for Clarity)
When you’re ready to start sending, a little organization goes a long way.
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Use Campaigns or Tags:
Group your emails by campaign, industry, or persona so you can see what’s working. Leadmagic lets you assign tags or campaigns—use them. Don’t just fire off individual emails and hope for the best. -
Personalize, but Don’t Overthink:
Templates are fine, but tweak them for your audience. If you use merge tags (like {{FirstName}}), check that they’re working so you don’t end up with “Hi [FirstName].” -
Include Trackable Links:
If you want to track clicks, use the built-in link tracking. Avoid link shorteners like Bitly—they sometimes get flagged as spam.
Heads up:
Some recipients will see “This email has been tracked” or similar banners, especially in Gmail. There’s no perfect workaround. If your audience is especially privacy-conscious, consider being upfront about it.
Step 4: Monitor Engagement in the Leadmagic Dashboard
Once your emails are out, the real value of analytics kicks in. Here’s what to look for on the Leadmagic dashboard:
- Opens:
- Who opened? How many times?
- First opens are more important than repeated ones. Some folks open emails multiple times or on different devices (or bots trigger it).
- Clicks:
- Which links got clicked?
- Are some calls-to-action working better than others?
- Replies:
- Who responded directly?
- When did replies come in—immediately, or after a few follow-ups?
- Bounces/Failures:
- Any issues with deliverability? If you see a lot of bounces, clean your list.
Filter and segment:
Don’t just look at the raw numbers—use filters to see which campaigns or segments are getting traction. For example: Do founders open your emails, but never reply? Are certain industries more responsive?
Step 5: Interpret the Data (Without Fooling Yourself)
Here’s where most people get tripped up. It’s tempting to see a high open rate and declare victory. Not so fast.
What Actually Matters
- Replies:
This is the gold standard. Opens and clicks are nice, but replies mean someone’s interested. - First vs. Multiple Opens:
One open is good. Multiple opens could mean genuine interest, or just someone reopening the same email. Don’t read too much into it. - Clicks:
If your links are getting clicked, your pitch is landing (or at least piquing curiosity). If no one’s clicking, your CTA probably needs work. - No Activity:
If you’re getting neither opens nor bounces, your email may be landing in spam or being blocked. Time to change up your approach.
What Not to Obsess Over
- Open Rate Alone:
Open rates are inflated by bots and privacy tools. Use them as a general signal, not gospel. - Exact Timing:
Don’t try to guess someone’s mood based on when they opened your email. It’s a rabbit hole. - Pixel-blocking Paranoia:
Some recipients will always block tracking. Don’t waste time trying to outsmart them.
Reality check:
If you’re not getting replies, change your subject line, message, or target list. No amount of analytics will salvage a bad pitch or a mismatched audience.
Step 6: Adjust and Iterate
Email analytics are only useful if you act on them. Here’s how to get the most out of your Leadmagic data:
- A/B Test Subject Lines and Messages:
Send two (or more) versions and compare results. Did version A get more replies? Stick with what works. - Refine Your Target List:
If a certain segment never opens or replies, try something different—or move on. - Follow Up Intelligently:
If someone opened but didn’t reply, consider a short nudge. Don’t badger people who never open your emails. You’ll just annoy them.
Pro tip:
Set aside 10 minutes a week to review your analytics. Don’t drown in data—look for clear winners and obvious duds.
Step 7: Common Pitfalls (and How to Avoid Them)
You’ve got the basics. Here’s what trips most people up:
- Relying on Open Rates:
As mentioned, these are noisy. Use them to spot general trends, not to make major decisions. - Ignoring Deliverability:
If your bounce rate is higher than 2-3%, clean your list. Bad addresses hurt your sender reputation. - Sending Too Many Emails, Too Quickly:
You’ll get flagged as spam. Leadmagic usually paces sends, but double-check your settings. - Chasing Vanity Metrics:
High opens and clicks feel good, but replies and booked meetings pay the bills.
Final Thoughts: Keep It Simple, Iterate Often
Don’t let analytics become a distraction. The point isn’t to generate pretty charts—it’s to figure out what resonates with real people. Set up tracking in Leadmagic, look for honest signals, and don’t sweat the small stuff. Make a tweak, watch what happens, and keep it moving. The best campaigns are built on lots of small, real-world adjustments—not one big “data-driven” insight.
Good luck, and remember: if you’re not getting replies, the problem probably isn’t your analytics. It’s your message or your audience. Start there, and the rest will follow.