A large number of emails, estimated at 376 billion, are sent out every day, but many of them go unopened. It’s unfortunate that many good emails never get read.
Email marketing has the highest return on investment compared to other marketing strategies, with a return of $32 for every $1 spent. It is a favorite among marketers because it is easy to plan, implement, and improvise.
Email Subject Line – A Defining Parameter
The subject line is key to getting your email opened or marked as spam.
An email’s subject line is important because it determines whether people will read or trash the email.
Subject lines that are personalized are 22% more likely to be opened. So, an email subject line that is both catchy and relates to the recipient will make people more likely to open the email.
Email subject line best practices
Email subject lines are important for getting your message across to your audience. Here are some general best practices to follow:
Test your subject lines
For example -3 possible subject lines for every email 1. Get the most out of your email Marketing 2. Pick winners with A/B testing 3. How to improve your open rates
Keep it brief
Emails with 50 characters or less have higher open and click-through rates than longer emails, according to a MailChimp study.
Avoid spam traps
Do not use spacing that is strange, an excessive amount of punctuation or capitalization, or fonts that are special. Additionally, avoid spam trigger words like “earn extra cash,” “make $,” “get out of debt,” “click here,” “100% free,” “you won’t believe your eyes,” and other words used to bait someone into clicking.
Personalize when possible
You can use email automation with dynamic tokens to personalize your emails by including information specific to your recipients’ location, purchase, interests, and more.
Use preheader text
This text is suggesting that you put more detail in your subject line to make the email more appealing, and that you move the “view in browser” links and other information to the bottom of the email so that you can make the most of the preview field.
Curiosity
If you want to achieve great things, then you need to be curious. By constantly asking questions and seeking out new information, you will be able to push yourself to new levels. This type of curiosity is what drives innovation and creativity. If you can learn to harness it, then there is no limit to what you can achieve.
Urgency
If you want the reader to take immediate action, you can try using urgency.
Relevance
By using trendy topics or headlines in your subject lines, you will be able to keep your readers interested.
Personalization
Content that is personalized offers readers a feeling that they are important, which is one of the best strategies in content marketing. It not only helps retain good relationships but also generates more leads.
Celebrity Branding
Choose a celebrity name that will resonate with your audience to get their attention when they see it in their inbox. Selecting a well-known personality whose qualities align with your brand can also make recipients more likely to open the email.
Avoid ‘no-reply’ Sender Name
When you’re sending an email, it’s better to use a person’s name in the email address than a company name. Having a person’s name in the address makes it seem like you’re dealing with an actual person, rather than a faceless entity.
Avoid using ALL CAPS
The study showed that 85% of recipients prefer lower case letters in the subject line. If the letters are fully capitalized, it looks like spam and will be ignored by most readers.
Segment your List
It is always better to send emails that are relevant to your recipients. This is why personalization is the best way to increase open rates. Segmenting your list is a significant aspect of email marketing and will help you send the right content to the right person.
Avoid Making False Promises
Do not try to trick your reader by promising one thing in the subject line and then delivering something else in the body of the email. This technique is called clickbait and is generally not well-received.
Use Numbers and Values
A subject line that is specific and contains numbers is more likely to be noticed than a vague subject line.
Include numerical values and discounts in your text to make it more attractive to readers. Mentioning the percentage off or how many items are in your listicle will help draw people in.
Make the Recipient Feel Special
Choose sentences that instantly grab the recipient’s attention and make them feel special. Here are some great examples:
“You’re invited!”
“For our beloved customers only”
“An exclusive offer for you”
User Personalization Token
The clickthrough rate for marketing emails is higher when the recipient’s first name is used in the subject line.
If you want to stand out in someone’s inbox, start by including their first name in the subject line.
Use Questions to Get Attention
Using a question in the subject line of an email can be a way to get someone’s attention.
“Are you making these SEO mistakes?”
“Do you know what went wrong with your website?”
Start with Action-Oriented Verbs
Invite readers to take action by using call-to-action subject lines, such as “Dine with Bruins legend Bobby Orr.”
A/B Test your Subject Lines
Email A/B testing can help you understand what prompts people to click on your emails so that you can improve your results.
How to write great email subject lines
Hook them immediately
For example, this would likely get attention: Most Americans are living paycheck to paycheck with little to no savings.
In fact, 69% of Americans have less than $1,000 in savings, according to a study by Bankrate.com. This means that if an unexpected cost comes up, they would have to rely on credit cards or loans to cover the expense.
Have fun with them
An ample amount of alliteration can be attractive, as can rhyming, song lyrics, and emojis. These tiny little communication miracles of the metaverse can be quite useful.
Write conversationally
It is best to use a conversational style when writing, even if your brand has a more serious tone, as this is more readable and friendly.
Call readers to action
Including a call to action phrase in your email subject line is always a good idea. This way, readers will know what your email is about, and they will appreciate that.
Ask a question
Asking questions in your text will engage your readers and make them more likely to read on.
Rough day?
Are you making these X mistakes?
Will you save 50%?
Look at your own inbox
You can improve your email subject lines by taking note of the ones that work well for other businesses and adjusting them to fit your brand.
Emphasize scarcity
We’re afraid of being left behind or missing out, a feeling that comes from a survival instinct. This is now just another way of adding urgency to our emails.
Pay X for Y (48 hours only!)
The outlet sale ends today and this is your last chance to take advantage of the great deals. 36 hours only!
5 hours only!
Use brackets and parentheses
Bullets are a good way to format text when you want to call out important information or organize a lot of information.
Use you/your
Even though name-calling is no longer popular, it is still considered best practice to use “you” and “your” wording when speaking directly to readers.
Be specific
Your subject line should give the reader some idea of the content of your email, even if it includes an element of mystery.
Good email subject lines
There are many advantages to minimalism. Time is precious and your users want to be able to understand what is happening without having to think too much. Good email subject lines can be…
Succinct
- 10% Storewide – December 1-12
- Enjoy 15% off + Free shipping
Cut and dry
- PODCAST: 5 Steps to Accelerate Career Growth
- [GUIDE]: Name of Guide
Informative
- [Important news event]: What You Need to Know
- Our hours are changing! (Opening earlier)
Cold email subject lines
You can grow your business by sending cold emails, as long as they are effective.
Here are some alternatives:
- [Your company + their company]…2 minutes later today?
- Read your blog post on [topic]
- Tips to improve [company name]’s X
- Congrats on [latest achievement]!
- A [better/easier/faster] way to [goal]
- Resources for [company]…take or leave! (this is the BYAF concept)
- A new solution for [pain point]
Best email subject lines for content promotion
Emailing your content to others can help increase traffic to your website and expose your readers to content they might not find otherwise.
- How to Plan Your Move in an Hour or Less
- [eBook] Speeding up the Development and Design of Websites
- Steal our Marketing Hacks (Seriously!)
- 15 Business Card Templates Up for Grabs
- [FREE GUIDE]: Name of Guide
- Guide Inside! 8 Ways to [Achieve Benefit]
- How to Start a Business [Free Guide]
Best email subject lines for customer appreciation
Engage your customers with customer appreciation emails.
At our company, we strive to treat each and every one of our customers with the utmost respect. We know that without you, we would not be where we are today. We are constantly working to make sure that your experience with our company is a positive one. Thank you for your continued support!
- Free gift. No catch. Just because. ??
- Our way of saying thanks…
- Hi Kristen, enjoy this token of our appreciation.
- Customer Appreciation Day calls for a celebration…
- Customers like you deserve freebies like these
Event email subject lines
Almost all event emails should come as part of a series that includes an invite email, a reminder email, and a thank you or follow-up email.
- Back by popular demand: [Event Name] Round II!
- It’s That Time Again…Annual [Event Name] April 12
- We’re in Town! Free Tacos in City Square
- Yappy Hour this Wednesday @ Bark Park!
- You’re Invited! Startup Success Breakfast (Come hungry!)
Follow up email subject lines
In some cases, a simple “Re: [original subject line]” works just fine for follow-up emails, consider these:
- [Name], did our guide help?
- Another resource for you, [Name]!
- Your recent download—any questions?
- Any questions on the quote we sent over?
- Touching base re: gutter cleaning estimate
Holiday email subject lines
You will find a treasure trove of seasonal subject lines for every month of the year. Here’s the list:
- August email subject lines
- September email subject lines
- October email subject lines
- November email subject lines
- December email subject lines
Introduction email subject lines
- We oughta get to know each other…
- [Name] here, from [business]
- Introducing [Name] to [Name]
- Inquiring about [topic]
- Hi [Name]! Referral from [Name]
Referral email subject lines
- Give $10, get $10, in 10.
- Refer a friend and get $20!
- Refer friends. Get points. Cash in. Repeat!
- Join our referral program it’s free (and super easy).
- Refer your friends and save!
Reminder email subject lines
Promotion
- Time is running out…
- Hurry! BOGO won’t last long ?
- Your coupon’s not going to redeem itself
Event
- X is coming up…tickets are running out!
- Five days until the big reveal 5??…4??…3??…2??…
- Will We See You This Wednesday?
Cart abandonment
- Well…are you gonna buy it?
- Time to pull the trigger [Name]!
- We’re on the edge of our seats over here!
- You forgot to check out!
Review/survey email subject lines
- Do you have a minute (literally) to review us?
- Let’s be friends. Like & review us!
- Loving Smile Dental? Review us!
- How was your service at ZenSpa?
- How did we do? Help us help you.
Thank you email subject lines
- Thank you for choosing [business name].
- It was great to see you! Thanks for coming out
- Thanks for your purchase! Receipt (and a treat!) inside.
- We asked, you answered. THANK YOU!
Welcome emails are a great way to make a good first impression. They can welcome readers to your newsletter, customers to your business, students to your online course, and more.
- Welcome to #branded hashtag
- Cheers for subscribing!
- Welcome to [business/newsletter name]! 3 steps to get started
- Hey [name], welcome to [business]!
Catchy Email Subject Lines
Google touts the new Oreo operating system for its smartphone heroism.
The TechCrunch newsletter keeps people updated about the latest news and developments from the world of technology on a daily basis. So, using the word ‘daily crunch’ ensures that you are always well-informed about the latest technology news.
“Where to Drink Beer Right Now”
This article was perfectly timed by Eater Boston. After a busy day midweek, it can be the perfect thing to wake up to and ease out a bit.
“Uh-oh, your prescription is expiring”
When you see someone else wearing Warby Parker glasses and say “uh-oh, I need to get me a pair of those”, you’re experiencing the power of great advertising.
We’re proud of the deals we offer on Groupon. Unlike our nephew Steve, who we’re not very proud of.
A line that is sarcastic or humorous can make readers interested. And Groupon does this better than anyone.
“*Don’t Open This Email*”
When we are told not to do something, we tend to be more curious to open the content and read. This is what Manicube used in their marketing email subject line. Be careful when using this type of subject line as it may result in the reader blocking your content. This is more likely to happen if the reader is not familiar with your brand or service.
What They Eat In Prison: DO NOT Commit These Instagram Atrocities
A headlines with a catchy language intrigues the reader and make them look forward to the exciting content below it. For example, Thrillist uses headlines with catchy sentences to entice readers.
“Black Friday shoppers are the worst customers”
This email promotes an article written by a LinkedIn user on the topic of holiday marketing. The email contains intriguing facts and figures that will make the reader want to read the article.
“10 bizarre money habits making Millennials richer”
If a subject line is engaging, it will encourage the reader to want to learn more about the topic. Refinery29 writes their subject lines in a way that makes them interesting and wanting to be clicked on.
“Not Cool, Guys”
The subject line and preview text used by BuzzFeed make its content seem conversational and friendly.
Conclusion
This blog post discusses how to write creative and effective email subject lines. As a marketer, it is important to track the performance of your email marketing campaigns.
Open and clickthrough rates, as well as success rates for campaigns, cannot be quantified without the use of tools. There are a number of tools available to help with the analysis of open and clickthrough rates, segmenting audiences, and testing of subject lines.