In the busy world of email marketing, one thing’s for sure – a catchy subject line can make all the difference. After all, it’s the first thing people see in their inbox.
We all get tons of emails every day, so how do you make your email stand out? How can you spark curiosity or create a sense of urgency with just a few words?
In the blog post below, we’ll break down and analyze some subject lines that always get clicks, and give you tips on how to create your own catchy subject lines to boost your email open rates.
Email Subject Lines & Open Rates
Email subject lines are the first thing that recipients see when they receive an email. They are like the cover of a book or the headline of a news article.
If the subject line is not compelling, recipients are less likely to open the email. In fact, according to a study by Convince & Convert, 35% of email recipients open an email based on the subject line alone (source).
Email Subject Line Examples
FOMO Email Subject Lines
- “Don’t Miss Out on ___ – Catch It Before It’s Gone!”
- “Act Fast: This Disappears at Midnight!”
- “Grab This NOW – Tonight Only, Before It Vanishes!”
- “Limited Time: Secure this Deal for the Weekend!”
- “Final Call: Last Day to Snag ___!”
- “Hurry! Your Cart’s Timer is Ticking Away!”
- “Should You Stay? The Clock’s Ticking!”
- “Will You Come? Exclusive Offer Inside!”
- “Say Goodbye at Midnight: Your ___ Plan”
- “[WEEKEND ONLY] Snatch This Before It Vanishes!”
- “{insert name}, Double ___ Earnings – Today Only!”
- “One Night Only: A ___ Lover’s Dream Awaits!”
- “Discover the Mystery Tonight – Last Day!”
- “?? Time’s Running Out: Private Invitation Expires Tomorrow!”
- “[WEEKEND ONLY] Act Now Before It’s Gone!”
- “[URGENT] Only ONE DAY Left to Watch This!”
- “Stay Ahead: Master the # Most Effective ___ Tactics”
- “Last Chance: ___ Closes Tonight – No Exceptions!”
- “Exclusive for Email Subscribers: {insert product name} Sale Is On!”
- “My Fav Amazon Prime Day Deals!”
Curiosity Email Subject Lines
These subject lines aim to pique curiosity and encourage recipients to open the email to satisfy their curiosity. Feel free to adapt them to suit the specific content or message you want to convey in your emails.
- “Wait Until You See What I Created With This”
- “Repurpose Your Blog Content on Autopilot (Secrets Inside)”
- “15 years of money lessons in 5 minutes”
- “First Name, your FREE ticket’s inside”
- “Guess What We Discovered About…”
- “Unlocking the Secret to…”
- “Something Big is Happening Behind the Scenes”
- “You Won’t Believe What’s Inside…”
- “Mystery Solved: The Truth About…”
- “Shh… Can You Keep a Secret?”
- “The Surprising Truth Behind…”
- “Discover the Untold Story of…”
- “What’s Hiding in Your Inbox?”
- “The Hidden Gem of…”
- “The One Thing You Never Knew About…”
- “Curious Minds Wanted: Dive into…”
- “Peek Inside for a Surprise Revelation!”
- “Ever Wondered Why…? Uncover the Answer!”
- “Unveiling the Mysterious World of…”
- “Ready for a Jaw-Dropping Revelation?”
- “This Will Change the Way You Think About…”
- “Secrets Revealed: Inside Look at…”
- “Can You Solve the Riddle of…”
- “The Enigma of ___: What We Found Will Amaze You!”
Listicle Email Subject Lines
Feel free to customize these subject lines based on the specific content of your listicle. Whether you’re providing tips, hacks, or insights, these subject lines can set the expectation of a structured, easy-to-read list in your email content.
- “5 Ways to Boost Your Productivity Today”
- “Discover the Top 5 Secrets to…”
- “10 Must-Have Products for…”
- “The 7 Habits of Highly Successful…”
- “Unlock the Power of These 3 Strategies for…”
- “Our Top Picks for Your Best ___ Ever!”
- “5 Proven Steps to Achieve Your…”
- “The Ultimate Guide: 8 Ways to…”
- “Transform Your Routine with These 6…”
- “Don’t Miss Out: 12 Essential Tips for…”
- “The 3 Key Elements of a Successful…”
- “Get Started Today: A Checklist for…”
- “7 Insider Hacks Every ___ Should Know”
- “Your Guide to Mastering ___ in 10 Easy Steps”
- “The Top 5 Trends in ___ Right Now”
- “10 Quick and Easy Ways to Boost Your…”
- “Upgrade Your ___ Game: 6 Expert Tips”
- “The ABCs of ___: A Comprehensive Guide”
- “7 Life-Changing Benefits of…”
- “Unveiling the Top 3 Secrets Behind…”
- “Your Essential Checklist for Mastering ___”
Feel free to customize these subject lines based on the specific content of your listicle. Whether you’re providing tips, hacks, or insights, these subject lines can set the expectation of a structured, easy-to-read list in your email content.
Being Personable Email Subject Lines
Creating personable email subject lines is a great way to connect with your audience on a more human level. Here are some examples:
- “Sharing a Slightly Embarrassing Moment…”
- “Can You Help Me Understand THIS?”
- “A Recent Hospital Visit…”
- “You Might Think I’m Crazy…”
- “Why I (kinda) Dislike ___…”
How to Create Engaging Subject Lines
The first step in creating a good subject line is to understand what makes a subject line effective. A good subject line is one that is interesting, relevant, and personalized.
It should also create a sense of urgency, promise a benefit, or solve a problem.
Personalization is key to creating a good subject line. Using the recipient’s name or referencing something they are interested in can increase the open rate of your email.
Additionally, using numbers and punctuation can make your subject line stand out in a crowded inbox.
Using numbers and punctuation in your subject line can increase the open rate of your email. Numbers can be used to create a sense of urgency or to promise a benefit. Punctuation can be used to create intrigue or to emphasize a point.
For example, “5 Tips for Better Sleep” is more likely to get opened than “Tips for Better Sleep.” Similarly, “Don’t Miss Out on Our Limited Time Offer!” is more likely to get opened than “Limited Time Offer.”
One of the most effective ways to increase email open rates is by using the power of FOMO (fear of missing out) and discounts. By creating a sense of urgency and exclusivity, you can motivate your subscribers to open your emails and take action.
One way to leverage FOMO is by offering limited-time rewards or exclusive deals. This could be a discount on a product or service, free shipping, or a bonus gift with purchase.
By highlighting the limited time frame, you create a sense of urgency that encourages your subscribers to take action before the offer expires.
Avoid Spam Triggers
It is important to avoid using words or phrases that can trigger spam filters or cause your email to be sent to the spam folder. Words like “free,” “guaranteed,” and “act now” are commonly used in spam emails and should be avoided.
Additionally, using all caps or clickbait phrases can also trigger spam filters. Instead, focus on creating subject lines that are interesting and provide value to the reader.
Personalizing Your Email Subject Lines
Personalization is a powerful tool in email marketing, and it can make a big difference in whether or not your emails get opened. By personalizing your subject lines, you can make your emails feel more relevant and engaging to your recipients.
One way to personalize your subject lines is to use the recipient’s name. This can be as simple as adding their first name to the subject line.
Best Practices for Email Subject Line Length
When it comes to email subject lines, the length can make or break your open rates. So, what is the ideal length for an email subject line?
According to research, subject lines with 41 to 70 characters tend to have the highest open rates. This is because most people view emails on their mobile devices, and subject lines that are too long can get cut off or appear cluttered.
Improving Open Rates and Click Rates
To improve open rates and click rates, it is essential to craft effective email subject lines. Here are some tips to help improve these metrics:
- Keep the subject line short and sweet: Shorter subject lines tend to perform better than longer ones. Aim for 50 characters or less to ensure that the entire subject line is visible on mobile devices.
- Use personalization: Personalizing the subject line with the recipient’s name or other relevant information can help increase open rates. However, be careful not to overdo it, as too much personalization can come across as creepy.
- Create a sense of urgency: Including phrases like “limited time offer” or “act now” can create a sense of urgency that encourages recipients to open the email.
- Use numbers and statistics: Including numbers and statistics in the subject line can help grab the recipient’s attention and make the email seem more valuable.
- Test and analyze: Testing different subject lines and analyzing the results can help you determine which types of subject lines perform best with your audience.