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How to write effective email subject lines that get opened

November 18, 2023 | Jimit Mehta

Let's be honest, when was the last time you checked your email and didn't immediately hit delete or mark as unread? If you're like most people, you're drowning in a sea of emails every day, and the last thing you want to do is waste your time sifting through irrelevant or uninteresting messages. As a result, crafting an effective email subject line has become a crucial skill in today's digital age. Whether you're sending a work-related email or a promotional newsletter, the subject line is your first and often only chance to make a good impression and entice your recipient to open your message. In this article, we'll explore some key tips and tricks for writing subject lines that stand out from the crowd and get opened, so you can start seeing results and achieving your email goals.

Keep it short and sweet: Why brevity is key in email subject lines

When it comes to writing effective email subject lines, brevity is king. In other words, you want to keep your subject lines short and sweet in order to make a strong impact on your recipient. This is because people tend to skim through their inbox, and long subject lines can quickly become overwhelming and easy to ignore.

The ideal length for an email subject line varies depending on the audience, but generally speaking, you should aim for around 5-7 words or 40-50 characters. This allows you to get your point across quickly and clearly, while also leaving enough space for your recipient to read the entire subject line on their mobile device or computer screen.

When crafting your subject line, it's important to think about the main message or benefit you're trying to convey. What is the key point of your email, and how can you communicate that in just a few words? Remember that your subject line should be a teaser that entices your recipient to open your email, not a summary of its entire contents.

So, whether you're writing a work email, a promotional message, or a personal note, make sure to keep your subject line short and sweet in order to make a lasting impression and increase the chances of your email getting opened.

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Make it specific: How to tailor your subject lines to your audience

Have you ever received an email with a vague or generic subject line and immediately felt uninterested? It's likely that you have, and the same goes for your own email recipients. This is why it's important to make your subject lines specific and tailored to your audience.

When crafting your subject line, think about who your email is intended for and what they care about. What problem are you solving for them or what benefit are you offering? Use language and keywords that resonate with your target audience, and be clear and concise about what your email contains.

For example, if you're sending a promotional email for a sale on running shoes, your subject line might read "20% off all running shoes this week only". This subject line is specific, indicating what the email is about, and tailored to the audience of runners who might be interested in buying new shoes.

In addition to using specific language, it's also important to personalize your subject lines whenever possible. Use your recipient's name or reference a recent interaction to grab their attention and show that the email is relevant to them. For example, "John, here's the information we discussed last week" or "Jane, a special offer just for you".

By tailoring your subject lines to your audience and making them specific, you increase the chances of your email being opened and read, leading to better engagement and ultimately, better results.

Use numbers and emojis: Tips for incorporating visual elements into your subject lines

When it comes to writing effective email subject lines, adding some visual interest can be a great way to catch your recipient's eye and make your email stand out in their inbox. Two popular ways to do this are through the use of numbers and emojis.

Including numbers in your subject line can help to communicate the value or urgency of your email. For example, "5 tips for a better night's sleep" or "Last chance to save 30% on your purchase" are both subject lines that use numbers to grab the recipient's attention and communicate the benefit or urgency of the email's content.

Emojis are another way to add visual interest and communicate tone in your subject lines. They can help to convey emotions or create a sense of playfulness, which can be especially useful for marketing emails. For example, "🎉 Don't miss our big sale 🎉" or "🔥 Hot new arrivals now in stock 🔥".

When using emojis, it's important to keep in mind your brand's tone and audience. Some emojis may be seen as unprofessional or inappropriate depending on the context, so it's important to use them judiciously and in a way that aligns with your brand's voice and values.

Overall, incorporating numbers and emojis into your email subject lines can be a fun and effective way to grab your recipient's attention and communicate the value or urgency of your email's content. Just be sure to use them thoughtfully and in a way that aligns with your brand's tone and messaging.

Create a sense of urgency: How to encourage recipients to open your email right away

One effective way to increase the chances of your email getting opened and read is to create a sense of urgency in your subject line. By giving your recipients a reason to act right away, you can encourage them to open your email and engage with your content.

There are a few different ways to create a sense of urgency in your subject line. One way is to use time-sensitive language, such as "limited time offer" or "expires soon". This communicates to the recipient that they need to act quickly if they want to take advantage of your offer.

Another way to create urgency is to use language that implies a problem that needs to be solved. For example, "Don't miss out on this solution to your biggest problem" or "Your deadline is approaching - here's what you need to know". This type of language can encourage the recipient to open your email in order to find a solution or avoid a negative outcome.

It's important to keep in mind, however, that when creating a sense of urgency in your subject line, you need to deliver on that promise in the content of your email. If your subject line promises a limited-time offer or urgent information, make sure that your email delivers on that promise and provides value to the recipient.

By creating a sense of urgency in your subject line, you can encourage your recipients to open your email right away and engage with your content, ultimately leading to better results and increased engagement.

Personalize your subject lines: Techniques for making your emails feel more personal and relevant

When you receive an email with a subject line that includes your name or references a recent interaction, you're more likely to open and engage with that email. This is because personalization can make your email feel more relevant and meaningful to the recipient.

There are a few different techniques you can use to personalize your subject lines. One way is to use the recipient's name in the subject line, such as "John, here's a special offer just for you". This can help to grab the recipient's attention and make the email feel more personal.

Another way to personalize your subject line is to reference a recent interaction or behavior. For example, "Thanks for attending our webinar - here are the highlights" or "We noticed you've been browsing our website - here's a special discount". By referencing a recent interaction or behavior, you can make your email feel more relevant and timely to the recipient.

It's also important to segment your email list and tailor your subject lines to each segment. For example, you might have different subject lines for first-time customers versus repeat customers, or for customers in different geographic locations. This can help to ensure that your subject lines are relevant and meaningful to each recipient.

Overall, personalizing your subject lines can help to make your emails feel more personal and relevant, leading to better engagement and results. Just be sure to use personalization thoughtfully and in a way that aligns with your brand's tone and messaging.

Avoid spammy language: Common words and phrases to avoid in email subject lines

When it comes to writing email subject lines, it's important to avoid language that could trigger spam filters and cause your email to be sent to the recipient's spam folder. Spammy language can also make your email feel less trustworthy and less appealing to the recipient.

There are a few common words and phrases that are often associated with spam and should be avoided in your subject lines. These include:

  • "Free": While offering something for free can be a great way to encourage engagement, using the word "free" in your subject line can often trigger spam filters. Instead, try using other words that communicate value, such as "complimentary" or "bonus".

  • "Urgent": While creating a sense of urgency can be effective in getting your email opened, using the word "urgent" in your subject line can make your email feel spammy and less trustworthy. Instead, try using other language that communicates urgency, such as "time-sensitive" or "limited time".

  • "Cash": Using words like "cash" or "money" in your subject line can make your email feel spammy and less trustworthy. Instead, try using language that communicates the benefit or value of your offer without directly referencing money.

  • Excessive punctuation and capitalization: Using too many exclamation points or capital letters can make your subject line feel spammy and less professional. Stick to using one or two exclamation points at most, and avoid using all caps.

By avoiding spammy language in your subject lines, you can increase the chances of your email getting delivered and opened, and improve the overall trust and engagement with your recipients.

Test and optimize: Best practices for testing and improving your subject lines over time

When it comes to writing effective email subject lines, it's important to remember that there's no one-size-fits-all approach. What works for one audience or one email campaign may not work for another. That's why it's important to test and optimize your subject lines over time to find out what works best for your audience.

A/B testing is a popular method for testing subject lines. This involves creating two different subject lines for the same email and sending each version to a randomly selected portion of your email list. You can then compare the open rates of each version to see which one performed better.

When A/B testing, it's important to only test one variable at a time, such as the length of the subject line or the use of emojis. This will help you to pinpoint which specific elements are having an impact on your open rates.

Another important aspect of testing and optimizing your subject lines is analyzing your email data over time. By tracking your open rates and other engagement metrics, you can identify trends and patterns in what's working and what's not. You can use this data to refine your subject line strategy and make informed decisions about how to improve your future campaigns.

Some additional best practices for testing and optimizing your subject lines over time include:

  • Keep track of your results and compare them to industry benchmarks

  • Don't be afraid to try new things and experiment with different approaches

  • Use data to inform your decisions and make changes based on what's working

  • Continually test and refine your subject lines to improve your overall email performance

By testing and optimizing your subject lines over time, you can improve your email open rates and engagement with your audience, ultimately leading to more successful email campaigns.

Consider the preheader text: How to make the most of the space below your subject line

When sending an email, the subject line is often the first thing that your audience sees. However, many email clients also display a short preview of the email's content below the subject line. This is called the preheader text, and it's an often-overlooked opportunity to provide additional context and entice your audience to open your email.

To make the most of your preheader text, it's important to keep a few best practices in mind. First, make sure your preheader text complements your subject line and provides additional context or information about what the recipient can expect to find in the email. This can help to pique their interest and encourage them to open the email.

It's also important to keep your preheader text concise and to the point. Most email clients display only a few lines of preview text, so you want to make sure that you're making the most of this limited space. Consider using actionable language or highlighting the main benefit or call to action of your email.

In addition to using your preheader text to provide context and entice your audience, you can also use it to create a sense of urgency or scarcity. For example, you could include a limited-time offer or use language that emphasizes the importance of acting quickly.

By taking the time to craft an effective preheader text, you can improve the overall performance of your email campaigns and increase the likelihood that your audience will open and engage with your emails. So the next time you're sending an email, be sure to consider the preheader text as an important element of your overall email strategy.

Highlight the value: Strategies for communicating the value of your email in the subject line

When it comes to writing effective email subject lines, it's important to remember that your audience is constantly bombarded with emails vying for their attention. To stand out in a crowded inbox, you need to effectively communicate the value of your email and why it's worth their time to open and engage with it.

One effective strategy for highlighting the value of your email in the subject line is to focus on the main benefit or value proposition of your email. This could be a discount or promotion, exclusive content, or a valuable resource that your audience can only access by opening the email. By emphasizing the main benefit or value of your email in the subject line, you can pique your audience's interest and encourage them to open your email.

Another effective strategy is to use language that emphasizes the importance or relevance of your email. For example, you could use language that implies urgency or scarcity, such as "Limited time offer" or "Don't miss out!" This can create a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out) and encourage your audience to open the email right away.

In addition to highlighting the value of your email in the subject line, it's also important to be specific and clear about what your email contains. Avoid vague or ambiguous language, and instead focus on providing a clear and concise preview of what your audience can expect to find in the email.

By highlighting the value of your email in the subject line, you can increase the likelihood that your audience will open and engage with your emails, ultimately leading to more successful email campaigns. So the next time you're writing an email subject line, remember to focus on the main benefit or value proposition of your email and use language that emphasizes the importance and relevance of your message.

Experiment with humor and creativity: How to use humor and creative language to make your subject lines stand out

When it comes to writing effective email subject lines, sometimes the best way to stand out from the crowd is to use humor or creative language. By injecting some personality and originality into your subject lines, you can grab your audience's attention and make them more likely to open and engage with your emails.

One effective way to use humor in your subject lines is to make a clever pun or play on words. This can be a great way to show off your brand's personality and sense of humor while still providing value and relevance to your audience. Another strategy is to use humor to create a sense of relatability or empathy, such as using a humorous anecdote or poking fun at a common frustration or pain point that your audience may share.

Creative language can also be a powerful way to make your subject lines stand out. This could include using bold, attention-grabbing words or phrases, such as "Unleash the Power of...", "The Ultimate Guide to...", or "Revolutionize Your...". By using bold and creative language, you can capture your audience's attention and make them more likely to open your email.

Of course, it's important to keep in mind that humor and creativity won't be appropriate or effective for every brand or audience. It's important to know your audience and brand voice, and to avoid going too far or being offensive. However, when done well, using humor and creativity can be a powerful way to make your emails stand out and engage your audience in a more memorable way.

So the next time you're writing an email subject line, consider experimenting with humor or creative language to make your message stand out. With a little bit of creativity and a strong understanding of your audience, you can create subject lines that capture attention and drive engagement.

Over to you

In today's world of overflowing inboxes, writing effective email subject lines is more important than ever. To help your emails stand out and get opened, there are several key strategies you can use. First, it's important to keep your subject lines short and sweet, so they're easy to read and understand at a glance. Next, personalization is key: by tailoring your subject lines to your audience and making them feel more relevant and personal, you can increase the likelihood that your emails will be opened and engaged with.

Other effective strategies for writing email subject lines include using visual elements like numbers and emojis, creating a sense of urgency or scarcity, and highlighting the value of your email. It's also important to avoid spammy language, be specific and clear about what your email contains, and test and optimize your subject lines over time.

Finally, it's worth considering the preheader text and experimenting with humor and creativity to make your subject lines stand out. By using a combination of these strategies, you can create email subject lines that capture attention, engage your audience, and drive successful email campaigns.

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