Email marketing is a powerful tool for connecting with customers and building relationships. But before even one of your emails reaches someone’s inbox, it has to pass the test of the subject line. As important as content, visuals and design are for creating engaging email campaigns, it all starts with an effective subject line that stands out among other messages in an inbox – something that captures attention and inspires readers to open and read on. In this blog post, we'll explore why crafting the perfect email subject line is so important, share key tips on how you can create captivating titles quickly and easily, plus provide ideas on what types of words work best!
Email subject lines are important because they help recipients decide whether to open an email or not. A clear and concise subject line that accurately reflects the content of the email can increase the likelihood that the email will be opened and read. Additionally, an effective subject line can also help the email stand out in a crowded inbox and make it easier for the recipient to find and reference the email later. However, subject lines that are vague or misleading can have the opposite effect and decrease the chances that the email will be opened.
A clear and concise subject line that accurately reflects the content of the email can increase the likelihood that the email will be opened and read. Additionally, an effective subject line can also help the email stand out in a crowded inbox and make it easier for the recipient to find and reference the email later. However, subject lines that are vague or misleading can have the opposite effect and decrease the chances that the email will be opened.
Keep it short and sweet
Shorter subject lines are more effective, One of the most important things to keep in mind when crafting the perfect email subject line is to keep it short and sweet, it is more likely to grab the reader's attention and increase the chances of the email being opened. Studies have shown that subject lines with fewer than 50 characters have the highest open rates. This is because most people are using their mobile devices to check their email, and shorter subject lines are more likely to be fully visible on a small screen.
So, how do you keep your subject line short and sweet? One tip is to focus on the main message or call to action of your email. Instead of trying to cram in a lot of information, think about what is most important for the reader to know and focus on that. For example, instead of writing "Meeting agenda for the team's weekly update on Friday", you could write "Team meeting agenda for Friday"
Another tip is to use active and precise verbs that convey the main action or purpose of the email, for example: "Reminder for tomorrow's sale" instead of "Sale reminder". This can help to make the subject line more engaging and encourage the reader to open the email.
When crafting an email subject, it's also important to avoid using filler words or phrases that don't add value to the subject line. This can be tempting when trying to make the subject line longer, but it's best to stick to the essentials.
Keeping the subject line short and sweet is essential for increasing the chances of the email being opened. By focusing on the main message, using active and precise verbs, avoiding filler words, and using friendly language, you can craft a subject line that will grab the reader's attention and encourage them to open the email.
Here are some best practices for keeping subject lines under 50 characters:
Be concise: Use the most important words that convey the main message of the email. Avoid using extra words or phrases that don't add value.
Use abbreviations: When necessary, use abbreviations or acronyms to shorten the subject line. However, make sure that the abbreviations are widely understood.
Avoid using long words: Try to use shorter words or phrases that convey the same message. For example, "Due to" can be shortened to "Due".
Use symbols and emojis: Symbols and emojis can take up less space than words and can add visual interest to the subject line.
Test different subject lines: Use A/B testing to see which subject lines are most effective. This will help you to identify which words or phrases are taking up too much space and need to be shortened.
Be creative: Use a catchy phrase, a question, or a play on words that can be short and attractive.
Don't sacrifice clarity for brevity: While it's important to keep the subject line short, it's also important to make sure that the subject line is clear and easy to understand.
Keep it mobile-friendly: Keep in mind that most people are checking their email on mobile devices, so it's important to make sure the subject line is fully visible on a small screen.
Be specific
Specific subject lines have a higher chance of increasing open rates because they provide the reader with a clear idea of what the email is about. When a subject line is specific, the reader knows exactly what to expect when they open the email, and this can create a sense of urgency or importance.
For example, a subject line such as "Important Update on the Project deadline" is more specific than "Update on the project" which is more general. The first one gives the reader an idea of the content of the email and what they should expect, while the second one doesn't. A reader is more likely to open an email with a specific subject line because they know it is relevant to them.
When you are specific in the subject line, it also helps to avoid the email being marked as spam or deleted. If the subject line is too generic, it may be mistaken for spam or not relevant to the recipient, and it is less likely to be opened.
In addition, specific subject lines also make it easier for the reader to search for the email later if they need to refer back to it. When the subject line is specific, the reader will be able to find the email more easily in their inbox.
Here are some tips for including specific details in the subject line:
Use the recipient's name: Personalizing the subject line by including the recipient's name can make the email feel more personal and increase the chances of it being opened.
Mention the date and time: If the email is related to a specific event or meeting, including the date and time in the subject line. This will make it clear to the reader when the event is taking place and make it more likely that they will open the email.
Use numbers: Including numbers in the subject line can make it more attention-grabbing. For example, "10 Tips for Crafting the Perfect Email Subject Line"
Use action words: Action words such as "Reminder", "Invitation", "Urgent", etc., can make the subject line more compelling and increase the chances of the email being opened.
Be specific about the topic: If the email is related to a specific topic, include that topic in the subject line. For example, "Meeting agenda for the team's weekly update on Friday"
Use Location: If the email is related to a specific location, include that location in the subject line. For example, "Reminder: Sales Meeting in New York City on Monday"
Use a sense of mystery: Use a subject line that makes the reader curious and wants to open the email to find out more.
Use a sense of urgency: If the email is time-sensitive or requires immediate action, use a subject line that conveys a sense of urgency.
By following these tips, you'll be able to include specific details in the subject line that will increase the chances of the email being opened. It will help the recipient to understand the content of the email and the importance of opening it.
Use action words
Action words can make a subject line more compelling by creating a sense of urgency or importance. These words are typically verbs that describe the main action or purpose of the email. They can be used to encourage the reader to take action or to make the subject line more engaging.
For example, using words such as "Reminder", "Invitation", "Urgent", "Action Required", "New", "Update", "Deadline Approaching", etc. make the subject line more compelling and increases the chances of the email being opened. These words create a sense of urgency and make the reader feel like they need to open the email in order to take care of something important.
Additionally, action words can also make the subject line more specific, which as we previously discussed, can increase open rates. Instead of using a more general subject line, action words can make the subject line more specific and make it clear what the email is about.
Examples of action words that can be used in subject lines
Here are some examples of action words that can be used in subject lines:
Reminder - for events, meetings, or deadlines
Invitation - for events or special offers
Urgent - for time-sensitive or important information
Action Required - for emails that require the recipient to take action
New - for new products, updates, or information
Update - for changes or new information related to a specific topic
Deadline Approaching - for upcoming deadlines
Register - for event registration or sign-up
Confirm - for confirming appointments or reservations
Reply - for emails that require a response
Download - for emails with attachments or links to download
Apply - for job applications or scholarship opportunities
Submit - for assignments or project submissions
Claim - for special offers or discounts
Enjoy - for emails with special offers or discounts
Keep in mind that these are examples, you should always tailor your subject line to match the content and context of your email. By using action words in your subject lines, you can make them more compelling, increase open rates, and encourage the reader to take action.
Personalize the subject line
Personalizing your emails makes them feel more relevant and important to the recipient. When an email is personalized, it's more likely to be opened because the recipient feels like the email is meant for them specifically.
One way to personalize the subject line is by using the recipient's name which creates a sense of familiarity and makes the email feel more personal, for example, "John, don't miss our upcoming sale" is more personal than "Upcoming sale"
Another way to personalize the subject line is by using the recipient's location or interest. For example, "New York City residents: Exclusive discounts available now" is more personalized than "Exclusive discounts available now"
Personalization can also be used to create a sense of urgency, such as "Exclusive offer for [Recipient's name], expires in 24 hours" is more personalized and creates a sense of urgency than "Exclusive offer expires in 24 hours".
Use numbers
Numbers in a subject line make it more attention-grabbing, they can be used in a variety of ways in subject lines to grab the reader's attention.
One way to use numbers in subject lines is by listing the number of items or points that will be covered in the email, for example, "10 Tips for Crafting the Perfect Email Subject Line" or "5 Ways to Boost Your Email Open Rates"
Here are some examples of ways to use numbers in subject lines:
- Listing the number of items or points that will be covered in the email: "10 Tips for Crafting the Perfect Email Subject Line" or "5 Ways to Boost Your Email Open Rates"
- Mentioning a specific date or time: "Meeting agenda for Friday at 2 PM" or "Deadline Approaching: Submit your report by January 15th"
- Creating a sense of urgency: "Exclusive offer for [Recipient's name], expires in 24 hours" or "Limited time offer: 50% off all products"
- Creating a sense of scarcity: "Last chance to get your tickets" or "Only 10 spots left"
- Including the percentage of discount: "20% off all products" or "New Year Sale: 50% off"
- Indicating the number of recipients: "You are one of the first 100 recipients"
- Indicating the number of items left: "Only 5 items left" or "Hurry up, limited stock left"
- Including the number of days left: "Last chance to register, only 2 days left"
- Indicating the number of steps: "3 easy steps to improve your email open rates"
Avoid spam trigger words
Certain words can trigger spam filters because they are often used in spam emails and are associated with unwanted or unsolicited messages. Spam filters use complex algorithms to identify and flag emails that seem suspicious or irrelevant. These algorithms take into account various factors such as the subject line, the sender's address, the email's content, and the recipient's interactions with previous emails.
Some spam-triggering words to avoid using in your email subject line is Here is a list of common spam trigger words to avoid: free, money, stock, winner, urgent…etc
Test different subject lines
Testing subject lines is important because it can help determine which subject lines are most effective at getting recipients to open and read an email. By testing different subject lines with a small segment of a mailing list, marketers can identify which subject lines perform best and then use that information to optimize the subject lines for the larger mailing list. This can help improve email open rates and ultimately lead to better engagement and conversion rates.
Additionally, testing subject lines can also help identify words or phrases that may trigger spam filters, so that marketers can avoid using them in the future. It also helps in A/B testing, which is a common practice to test different variations of the subject lines.
In short, testing subject lines can help marketers improve their email marketing efforts by identifying which subject lines are most effective and avoiding those that aren't.
A/B testing is an ongoing process, keep experimenting with different subject lines, and keep track of the results to improve your email marketing campaigns.
- Test the use of symbols, emojis, and numbers: Try using symbols, emojis, or numbers in the subject lines, as they can help the email stand out in a crowded inbox.
- Test different styles: Test the use of different writing styles such as a question, statement, or exclamation marks in the subject lines.
- Test different timing: Test sending the email at different times of the day or days of the week to see if that affects open rates.
- Test on a small segment: Start by testing on a small segment of your mailing list before rolling out the changes to the entire list.
- Analyze the results: Keep track of the open rates, clicks, and conversions generated by each subject line and analyze the results. Use the data to make informed decisions about which subject lines to use in the future.
Be consistent
Consistency in subject lines helps in establishing trust and familiarity with the recipients, if recipients consistently receive emails with subject lines that accurately reflect the content of the email and are relevant to their interests, they are more likely to open those emails.
Additionally, a consistent subject line style can help the emails stand out in the inbox and make them easier to recognize and prioritize. For example, if a company always includes the word "Update" in the subject line of its monthly newsletter, recipients will come to recognize that as the newsletter and be more likely to open it.
Moreover, Consistency also helps in building a brand and a relationship with the subscribers, in the sense that they will recognize the sender and the subject lines and be more likely to open the emails. They will also be more likely to look forward to your emails, increasing the open rates.
So there you have it! A few tips to help you write better email subject lines that will improve your open rate, give some of these a try and see how they work for you. And if you need help with your email marketing, we can help ensure the deliverability of your emails to your intended recipients, Just reach out and let us know.