7 Tips for Writing Compelling Email Subject Lines
A well-crafted subject line can make all the difference in whether or not your email gets noticed in a crowded inbox. In this post, we'll share six tips for writing compelling email subject lines that will help you get the most out of your email marketing efforts.
Tips for writing compelling email subject lines
Keep it short and sweet: Aim for subject lines that are 50 characters or fewer. Long subject lines are more likely to get cut off, especially on mobile devices, so it's important to keep your subject lines concise and to the point.
Be specific and clear: Let your readers know what they can expect from your email. Vague or mysterious subject lines might grab attention, but they won't give readers a clear idea of what they'll find in your email.
Use actionable language: Encourage readers to take action by using words like "discover," "learn," or "get." Actionable language helps to make your subject line more engaging and can help increase your open rates.
Use numbers: Numbers can help make your subject line stand out and give readers a sense of what they can expect from your email. For example, "10 tips for increasing productivity" or "5 ways to improve your email open rates" can be more compelling than a subject line without numbers.
Personalize your subject lines: Use the recipient's name or other personal details to make your subject line more relevant. Personalization can help increase the chances that your email will be opened and read.
Test different subject lines: Use A/B testing to see which subject lines perform the best. This can help you optimize your subject lines for maximum effectiveness.
Examples of effective email subject lines
Want to use FOMO?
The fear of missing out is one psychological principle that's hard to resist. Add an element of scarcity (limited availability) or urgency (limited time) to your subject lines to play on this fear.
It's been proven that subject lines with words like "urgent", "breaking", "important" or "alert" increase open rates.
Warby Parker: “Uh-oh, your prescription is expiring”
Guess: “Tonight only: A denim lover’s dream”
Digital Marketer: “Your 7-figure plan goes bye-bye at midnight…”
Want to invoke curiosity?
Closure is a natural human desire - we don't like gaps in our knowledge. Make subscribers curious by leaving your subject line open-ended, like a cliffhanger that can't be solved until they open the email.
If you ask a question, promise something cool, or just say something weird, you'll make subscribers curious.
Refinery29: “10 bizarre money habits making Millennials richer”
Thrillist: “What They Eat In Prison”
Eat This Not That: “9 Disgusting Facts about Thanksgiving”
Looking for something funny?
Make your subscribers laugh, and they'll open it. Have you ever ignored a subject line that tickled your funny bone? It takes a bit of creativity and thought to be humorous, but it pays off.
Eater Boston: “Where to Drink Beer Right Now” (Sent at 6:45am on a Wednesday.)
Baby Bump: “Yes, I’m Pregnant. You Can Stop Staring At My Belly Now.”
Groupon: “Deals That Make Us Proud (Unlike Our Nephew, Steve)”
Appeal to one’s vanity
We all have a little vanity. Everyone wants to be liked, accepted, and revered. It's human nature.
That's why some clever subject lines use vanity to grab your attention. You can either promise something that makes the subscriber look better to their peers, or invoke shame.
Guess: “Don’t wear last year’s styles.”
La Mer: “Age-defying beauty tricks”
Fabletics: “Your Butt Will Look Great in These Workout Pants”
Bring out their inner greed
Although you might not think of yourself as greedy, you can't pass up a great deal... even if you don't need it now. This is why sales, discounts, and special offers are so effective.
Topshop: “Meet your new jeans”
La Mer: “A little luxury at a great price”
Guess: “25% off your favorites”
Want to get more personal?
Subject lines with names boost open rates by 10-14% across industries.
Guess: “Mary, check out these hand-picked looks”
Harry’s: “Two razors for your friends (on us)”
Kimra Luna: “I didn’t see your name in the comments!?”
Bonus tips: Follow email subject line best practices
Avoid spam words and all caps: Using spam words or writing your subject line in all caps can trigger spam filters and make it less likely that your email will be delivered to your readers' inboxes.
Don't use misleading or deceptive subject lines: Subject lines that are misleading or deceptive can harm your reputation and make it less likely that your emails will be opened in the future.
Test your subject lines to ensure they look good on all devices and email clients: Make sure your subject lines look good on all devices and email clients by testing them before sending your emails. This can help ensure that your subject lines are visible and effective across different platforms.
Parting words
In conclusion, crafting compelling email subject lines is essential for getting your emails opened and read. By following these tips and testing different subject lines, you can improve the effectiveness of your email marketing efforts and get the most out of your emails.
