There are many ways of writing email marketing subject lines. You obviously can’t apply all of them in a single subject. You will need to try and test a few for every product or service. Lets take a look at the many ways to get you email open.
What works for another business may not work for you. Regardless of what people say, it’s proven that people will judge an email based on its subject line.
47% of online marketers use various email subject lines to enhance the performance of their emails. It is vital to use a subject line that will compel your targeted audience to open your emails. The most efffective ways are keeping it short, using numbers, showing urgency, humor, personalization, asking a question, being unique, no spam, using a teaser, timing, action verbs and testing.
When writing your email, you may overlook the title. But this’s where the first impression lies and your ticket to stand out among others in your recipient’s crowded inbox. Read on to know top email subject lines tips.
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Make it short and to the point.
The shorter your subject line, the better. It can fit in a mobile phone easily, and people can quickly read. You should not use more than nine words.
As someone is swiping through emails, a short subject line is easy to read without paying too much attention. But if the words stir curiosity, someone is likely to open the email. It is funny how a subject line with two words can stand out than a longer one.
You would think more information on the subject line would attract readers. But no, they want it shorter. For example, you can use TGIF as your subject line; it is catchy and humorous.
Use Numbers
There are different ways to include a number in your email subject headline. A number attracts attention as numbers naturally attract the human brain.
This is the reason you find lists with a number quite successful. Apply the same trick applied by bloggers to stir interest and keep the email recipient engaged.
For example, you can use the following subject lines for emails:
- 5 extremely annoying moments
- 10 shocking drift videos to watch on YouTube
- 6 ways to make your pins better
Numbers in an email subject line are memorable, and just like a single word subject line, they are visually attractive.
According to The New Yorker, when someone is scanning around without looking for anything for a particular, they are likely to be arrested by a feature that stands out on a page. Basically, numbers in an email subject will draw attention as the brain quickly gets attracted to digits.
Show Urgency
Show urgency by including a deadline in your email subject line. This eliminates distraction and makes your targeted readers prioritize your message.
This type of email is suitable when you have an upcoming event. And you should send them in series. The first email should let your readers know the date of your upcoming event and as it approaches, use words such as “Last Chance” in the follow-up emails.
Even in the last 24 hours, you can have a subject line like “Now or never.” They are likely to be successful.
Use Humor
Humor sticks out and brings a smile to the readers. An email with a humorous subject line is likely to appeal to the masses, which means most recipients will open it.
But you must know what your audience is like and do not pretend to know them. A badly placed joke can be disastrous. The right joke will excite your readers, and they are likely to open the email and end up buy from you.
Examples of humorous subject lines for emails include:
- Please Touch Me! The best Multitouch
- Lean Startup: Baby Got it- Learn from Experts
- Gamers Hunt HTML5 Sheep
However, most of these humorous lines are only understandable to people who can relate to them. The touch me phrase may be understood by most people but means more to those who have attended Hogwarts or have taken the Voight-Kampff empathy test.
Also, if you can recite the Sir Mix a Lot’s Baby Got Back, you will find the Lean Startup email subject line.
Personalize
Using personalization techniques in your email subject line increases open rates. However, it doesn’t mean using your real name in the subject line.
You can use a specific language or locations that suit your targeted area. People like emails that address their problems and are likely to open the email if it’s personalized and they can relate to it.
Ask a question
A question mark makes your email subject line look unique. Other punctuation marks such as an exclamation mark and punctuation marks can also be powerful.
But exclamation marks have overused the years and may therefore not be strong when used alone. Try some other fun symbols and loud punctuations, and you will attract attention.
The easiest way to introduce punctuation marks is to start with a question. This engages the reader as soon as they see it and forces the user to get into a dialogue immediately. The question should be short and precise. It is one of the effortless ways to make people open your emails.
Be Unique
To come up with a unique subject line, you must understand the following:
- Who is your targeted audience?
- What is the unique thing that only your business can offer them?
Your business must have something it’s known for. Make sure you highlight its strengths. In such an email, put the name of your business in the email subject line, especially if it’s a well-known company.
People will rush to open the email because they want to know what this famous company wants to tell them.
No Spam Words
Nothing makes you miss an opportunity to reach out to potential customers like spam words in a subject line. Things such as caps and exclamation are quickly identified as spam.
Also, sales language such as get free or buy now will send your marketing email straight to your targeted audience spam folder. Choose words that promote your products while showcasing your expertise, and your audience will find the information valuable.
Use A Teaser
A teaser subject line can make people open an email. They do that because they want to know more. This is why people will always rush to watch a movie trailer but skip commercials.
This is like a preview that gives your audience what to expect from you. Think of something that will hook your readers. For example, a company offering traveling services can have an email with a subject line: “Destination Weddings…We Are Giving You a Rock Star Experience.”
Send at the right time.
Timing is everything, and if you get it right, your emails are likely to be read. When you combine the right time and right subject, your click-through rate will increase.
A good example is a food publication that sends an email around 6.45 on a Friday with a subject line: Longing For beer- It the happy hour right nowhere. This is the time when most people want to go out and relax while enjoying a drink.
Action Verb
An email subject line is similar to a call-to-action. Starting with an action verb to make it more enticing and makes your email more clickable. They inspire people to click on emails as they instill excitement and urgency.
For example, if you receive an email inviting you to golf legend dinner with a subject line: Dine with Golf Legends, you will likely attend the event. The verb dines, you imagine sitting with other golf lovers.
A/B Test
All tips on how to write the best email marketing lines are great. But not all tips will work for you because every targeted audience is different. This is why you use A/B testing to know what will work for you.
Even though you may be tempted to use your intuition to choose the subject line to use, the A/B test will help you figure out tips that will work for your audience. Also, remember to tweak your wording in a way that matches the results you get from the test. The test gives you answers to the following questions:
- What suits your readers, short or long subject lines?
- To include numbers or not?
- Use statements or questions?
Give a command
Some people are likely to respond to commands. If your email subject is a call-to-action, it will encourage people to buy from you. Let your audience know exactly what you want them to know.
For example, “Join us for the MLH Scholars Celebration.”
Conclusion
An email subject line can determine how many people read your emails. Get top tips to write a subject line that will pay attention to your emails.
On average, a person will get more than ten promotional emails. So, unless yours stands out, the recipient will not open it. Learn how to pique audience interest, but getting deeper more than just relying on the advice you find from other people.
Try some of the tips and drop those that do not bring results. Also, check in your inbox and see which subject lines convince you to read emails.