Best email subject lines for increased open rates

Remember when you were a kid and your best friend from school would write ‘You’ve Got Mail!’ on the outside of your locker? Well, if emails had lockers, best email subject lines would be the key to opening them. And if you want people to take action with your business, you’ve got to first get them to open that email.

Why are subject lines important?

Subject lines are an important part of any email because they are often the first thing people see before deciding to open an email. A good subject line will draw readers in and make them want to click, while a bad one will make them ignore it or delete it altogether. Writing great subject lines is a skill that can help increase your open rates dramatically!

Think of best email subject lines as the perfect elevator pitch – you only have a few seconds to grab someone’s attention and make them want to click. You can use keywords, numbers, puns or questions to create an eye-catching line that will get recipients interested in your message.

How to craft the perfect subject line

Okay, okay, we’ve talked enough about why you need those stellar subject lines – now let’s get to the good stuff. Here are some quick tips to make the best email subject lines:

Keep it short

The best email subject lines should be kept relatively short. Longer subject lines are likely to get cut off on mobile devices and not give readers the full context of what the email is about. If you have something exciting to share with your subscribers, make sure to use keywords that will grab their attention and make them interested enough to open your email. Try using action verbs such as “discover” or “explore” paired with an enticing offer or product name.

Use numbers to draw them in

Numbers can be highly effective in catching people’s eyes. Whether it’s 7 Secrets to Double Your Sales or 20 Tips For Achieving Personal Success, numbers can give readers a sense of how much valuable content you have to offer. Plus, who doesn’t like the promise of learning something new in just 7 simple steps?

Numbers also make it easier for readers to scan through their emails quickly. No one has time for long titles or complex language – but with numbers you can give people an idea of what your email is about without them having to spend too much time trying to figure it out.

Create FOMO

To get people actually opening up and reading your emails, you have to make them feel like they don’t want to miss out on something important. Using language like “last chance” or “limited time offer” creates a sense of urgency which encourages people to act quickly. Adding a deadline to an email also increases the chances that it gets opened because there is a specific time limit associated with it. Similarly, fear of missing out (FOMO) is a great way to prompt people to take action. By creating a sense of a limited offer, your emails will get opened faster, leaving people wondering what they could be missing out on.

Make it personal

Personalization is key when it comes to writing great email subject lines. Not only will your emails stand out in the crowded inbox, but you’ll also be making sure that each recipient is getting a message tailored to their interests and needs. Showing your subscribers that you know who they are and what they care about makes them feel special and important. You could try adding their first name, or the city that they live in, to make the email stand out from others.

Don’t use all caps

If you’re looking to stand out in someone’s inbox, shouting in all caps is not the way to go. Sure, it may seem like a great idea at first, but it’s actually a surefire way to get your message ignored. Why? Your recipients are likely flooded with emails every day, and everyone knows that a message written in all caps is just one big wall of text. It’s overwhelming to read, not to mention distracting – and you don’t want your email to be the one that gets closed without being opened!

Try A/B testing

A/B testing is a great way to find out which email subject lines are the most effective. By comparing two different versions of your subject line, you can figure out which one gets more opens, clicks and conversions. It’s like a game – you try something new, measure the results and then make adjustments accordingly. With A/B testing, you’ll be able to refine your email subject lines so that they are more powerful and reach the right audience.

Add a dash of personality

When it comes to best email subject lines, creativity is key. Sure, being straightforward and to the point can be effective, but adding a bit of personality or quirkiness goes a long way in getting subscribers engaged.  Making a funny pun or adding an unexpected twist can be a great way to gain attention and get subscribers excited about what you have to offer.

Now that you’re all ready to get those emails opened – what will you put in them?!

Looking for ideas? Schedule a free copy consult to audit your current copy today.