By Mikel Otis
If you’re like most professionals, you probably send dozens of emails every day without giving the subject line a second thought. It’s a last-minute addition.
If that’s the case, you’re doing something wrong. The subject line may frequently decide whether or not it is opened and how the receiver reacts. Writing email subject lines that get opened is an essential yet hectic task.
The pursuit of the ideal email subject line is a shifting target. What was effective a few years ago is unlikely to be effective now. There are many different perspectives on what it takes to excel at email subject lines. Knowing and engaging your specific audience is an integral part of the equation—another factor in navigating the technical aspects of email subject lines for sales and marketing.
What makes people open email?
The most common deciding factor is to instill a sense of importance in your audience. While I wouldn’t recommend utilizing that same terminology in your content every time, I believe that expressing urgency and scarcity in an email subject line may assist readers in clicking (or acting), if handled creatively and effectively.
However, unless you want to be recognized as “the brand that cried wolf,” use urgent subject lines sparingly and only when the situation indeed requires quick action.
Make your audience feel important.
The psychology of exclusivity can be potent and can make people open your email. People gain a sense of belonging when they feel like they’re on the inside, which increases loyalty and encourages them to convert to your emails.
The appropriate wording may make your receivers feel unique, and the result can be rather powerful.
How to write a good email subject line
First and foremost, write the subject line. Forgetting to write a subject line is one of the most common email blunders. A message with a blank subject line is likely to be ignored or lost in a crowded inbox. Write the subject line before the email.
Some qualities of a good email subject line include:
Concise and short
How do you write a good email subject line?
The answer is: Make it short and crisp.
The subject line may be seen for roughly 60 characters in a regular inbox, but just 25 to 30 characters on a mobile phone. In less than six to eight words, get to the point.
Many people check their emails on their phones. So, you must focus on writing email subject lines that get opened on mobile devices. You should start with the most critical information so that people do not miss upon your information. Put the most important information above and then useless information in the details.
With so little room, don’t waste it with filler words like “hello,” “good to meet you,” and “thanks,” which may easily be added in the body of the email.
Be precise and straightforward about your email’s subject
Be clear and unambiguous. The receiver should know exactly what your email consists of.
Kipp Bodnar, a VP at marketing software platform HubSpot, advises that a marketing email should focus on one action, expressed in the subject line. Give one takeaway, explain how the reader can utilize it, and describe how you’ll deliver it.
Make no hollow claims
A good email subject line is a promise to your reader about what your message will include. One of the things to avoid in email subject lines is to make no hollow claims. Make sure you follow through on your offer and don’t try to trick them into opening your email by making false promises. This will irritate your readers, who will begin to distrust your subject lines, resulting in a lower open rate and a greater unsubscribe rate.
Make sure they know what’s inside
You can give your reader an insight into what your email consists of. A good email subject line gives an insight of your email.
Do not use the same subject line for an inquiry and an exclamation
Emails with both a question mark and an exclamation mark in the subject line are frequently flagged as spam by web servers.
Here’s an example of a subject line that will likely end up in a recipient’s spam folder: “Do you need a quick answer? Take action right now!”
Do’s & Don’ts
It is the email subject line that determines whether your message will be read or not. Thus, it’s always best to follow proven guidelines. Although we’ve already covered key factors, let’s uncover two more important factors that will help in more converting email content creation.
It’s essential to get the timing correct
Sending an email with the right subject line at the proper time may significantly improve open and click-through rates. Is there a good example? When Eater sent an email at 6:45 p.m. on a Wednesday with the subject line “Where to Drink Beer Right Now” — just in time for happy hour. It’s perfect.
Do not overuse exclusive positions Or all caps!!!
One of the things to avoid in email subject lines is to not overuse exclusive marks to grab attention. Your email will not be opened if the subject line reads, “OPEN NOW AND RECEIVE A FREE TRIAL” or “50% discount coupon today only!!!!!!!!.” The email will most likely be disregarded as a result of it.
Why? People dislike being screamed at, and using all capital letters and/or a lot of exclamation marks might irritate them.
These approaches are not only annoying, but they also appear to be spammy. Instead of utilizing disruptive strategies to stand out in people’s inboxes, personalize your emails, create relevancy, and use clever and appealing language.
Best attention-grabbing email subject lines
The correct wording may make your receivers feel unique, and it can have a magical effect. Here are some phrase suggestions
- “Only for our cherished clientele.”
- “A special deal for you”
- “This is my present to you.”
- “You are cordially invited!”
- “Invitation only”
Also Read: Resources for Writing, Editing, Marketing, & Publishing
Conclusion
A good email subject line is frequently the make-or-break text. It’s what makes your email stand out amid the hundreds of others that arrive in the typical mailbox each day. You can write a punchy email subject line for people to open your email on a priority basis.
Although there are no hard and fast rules that guarantee 100% engagement and conversions, following these best practices can help you develop high-performing subject lines that will pique your readers’ attention and engage them.
Mikel Otis is a blogger passionate about writing and sharing stuff related to online marketing. He is on a mission to help newbies in this field and thus putting efforts continuously through guides and blogs.
