You’re sitting in front of your computer screen with the email draft open.
You’re looking at the very top of the email, where the email subject line goes.
But you’re stuck…
Email subject lines are like the cover of a book – it’s the first thing people see, and it determines whether they will open your email or not.
Open rates, click-through rates, and overall engagement rates all depend on this one line.
So, how do you write an email subject line that will entice your audience to open, read, and engage with your email?
We’ll teach you in this guide, so close your email draft for a second and start reading!
What Is An Email Subject Line?
For those of you who are new to email marketing or just need a refresher, an email subject line is a brief description that appears in the recipient’s inbox.
It gives them a preview of what your email is about and entices them to open it.
Think of it as the headline of your email – it needs to grab attention and make people want to read more.
Why Are Email Subject Lines Important?
As mentioned before, email subject lines are crucial for determining whether or not someone will open your email.
But they also have other important functions:
- Sets expectations: The subject line tells recipients what they can expect from your email. Is it a promotional offer, newsletter, or an update on their account?
- Filters spam: Email providers use subject lines as a way to filter out spam emails. If your subject line seems spammy, it’s more likely to end up in the junk folder than the inbox.
- Reflects brand image: The tone, language, and content of your subject line can give recipients an idea of what your brand is about. It’s important to make sure it aligns with your brand image and values.
Tips For Writing The Best Email Subject Lines
To get all those rates up, here are some tips to help you write the best email subject lines:
1. Keep It Personal
Your subject line must speak to the individual directly. There are two important rules to this:
- If you can, personalise your subject line to address the contact by name.
- Never use a noreply@company.com type email in your from line. Most people already know that the email is a promotional one sent in bulk—there is no need to emphasise that they cannot reply.
2. Reveal What Your Email Is About
Your subject line is not intended to create suspense or curiosity, like a movie trailer. It should clearly explain what your email is about.
For instance, if your business promotes a new service through email newsletters, your subject line should explain exactly that. Here are some examples:
- “Introducing our new service – Newsletter inside!”
- “New service now available for our subscribers.”
- “Get first access to our latest service.”
3. Keep It Short And Sweet
In a world where attention spans are short, and people are constantly bombarded with information, brevity is key.
Keep your email subject lines short and to the point.
Email providers often cut off subject lines after a certain number of characters, so it’s important to make sure the most important information is at the beginning.
Recommended length: 6-10 words or 40-50 characters.
And just a heads-up, most individuals check their emails on their mobile phones! According to The Tech Report, 1.7 billion people access email using mobile devices.
4. Double Check Spelling & Punctuation
This tip goes without saying. A subject line with spelling mistakes or missing punctuation can make your email seem unprofessional and careless.
Before sending out any emails, double check your subject lines for any errors. You can also use online tools like Grammarly to help catch any mistakes.
5. Use Emojis & Symbols (But Don’t Overdo It)
Emojis and symbols are a great way to add some visual interest.
A nice smiley or animal emoji can make your email stand out in a cluttered inbox.
However, it’s important not to overuse them as it can be seen as unprofessional or spammy.
Also, make sure the emoji corresponds with the text. Don’t use a “plant” emoji when your text is about a “dog” – it can be confusing.
6. Write Preview Text Too
The preview text is the snippet of text that appears below or beside the subject line of an email.
This is often overlooked, but it’s another opportunity to grab your reader’s attention.
Don’t repeat the gist of your subject line here, as it is a waste of space. Make your preview text as conversational as possible so that your readers get an idea of what your email is about.
7. AVOID USING ALL CAPS or Excessive Punctuation!!!!!!!!!!
See what we did there?
The caps and excessive punctuation just scream – “unprofessional”.
You do not want to scream at your readers or look like a child testing out a keyboard for the first time.
Start a sentence with a capital letter and end it with a period.
Use exclamation marks sparingly, if at all.
8. Ask a Question or Use FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
People do not want to miss out on a good deal of important information.
Use this to your advantage and add a question or FOMO element in your email.
For example, “Do you want to save 20% on your next purchase?” or “Last chance to register for our webinar!”
This creates a sense of urgency and encourages readers to take action. However, make sure the question is relevant and not just a clickbait tactic.
9. A/B Split Test
A/B split testing is a tactic used by many email marketers. If you want to see which subject line is more effective, send out two variations of your email with different subject lines to a small group of subscribers.
Track the open rates and use the winning subject line for the rest of your email list.
This can help improve your overall email marketing strategy and increase engagement from your subscribers.
10. Track & Monitor
Open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates are all important metrics to track and monitor for your email campaigns.
Track and monitor your email newsletters with an email service provider like Everlytic.
Use a CRM and Lead management system like Leadtrekker to track the leads coming from your email.
Leadtrekker is a South African CRM software and lead management system that can be integrated into your website. When the newsletter takes the reader to your dedicated landing page, you can track and monitor the lead by adding Leadtrekker’s tracking code to your page.
Email Subject Line Examples
Professional email subject line examples:
- “Your exclusive invitation to our networking event”
- “Increase your productivity by 30% with these tips”
- “Don’t miss out on our limited-time offer!”
- “Join us for a free webinar on social media marketing.”
- “Important updates regarding your account”
Casual email subject line examples:
- “Let’s grab lunch next week!”
- “Can I get your opinion on something?”
- “Funny cat video inside…just kidding (or am I?)”
- “Exciting news you don’t want to miss!”
- “Quick question about the project”
If you’re struggling with writing subject lines, consider hiring an email marketing agency to do this for you.
They have dedicated copywriters who specialise in crafting effective subject lines to increase open rates and engagement.
Open Your Draft & Write The Best Subject Line!
Now that you have a few tips for writing email subject lines open your draft and start brainstorming some ideas.
Remember to keep it short, simple, and relevant to the content of your email.
Good luck!