Check out our list of the top 130 best email subject lines, along with insights from our analysis, to see what makes them work. If you want subject lines that are engaging, personal, or stand out, you’ll find plenty of ideas here.
We’ll share tips to help you get more opens, avoid spam words, and follow best practices to improve your email marketing results.
Unlocking Better Email Opens: Best Subject Lines
In email marketing, grabbing your audience’s attention right away is crucial.
Your subject line is your first impression and often decides if your email gets opened or ignored.
Here are ten email subject lines that can spark curiosity and boost engagement:
“What we have for you will astound you.”
This subject line hints at a surprise and piques curiosity.
By suggesting something unexpected, you encourage readers to open your email and see what’s inside.
“Last chance: Tonight is the last day to take advantage of your special offer.”
This approach creates urgency and encourages people to act quickly.
A clear deadline motivates recipients to take action before they miss out.
“A small midweek surprise just for you.”
Personalizing your subject line makes the recipient feel appreciated.
It shows you’ve thought about their needs, which builds a stronger connection.
“Your present is ready.”
This line creates excitement and makes the reader eager to see what’s inside.
Calling it a “present” makes the email feel special and more likely to be opened.
“Are you open to temptation?”
This playful challenge encourages recipients to keep reading.
It hints that something fun is waiting, making people want to click and find out more.
“This weekend, three things you’ll love.”
Mentioning how many items are inside helps build interest.
This subject line promises content picked just for the reader, making it feel more relevant.
“Don’t pass this up.”
This direct call to action creates a sense of FOMO, or fear of missing out.
Encouraging recipients not to skip the email gives them a reason to act now.
“We listened to what you asked.”
Showing that you listen helps build a stronger connection with your audience.
This subject line shows you value their feedback, which can make people feel heard and boost loyalty.
“Too good to pass up.”
This subject line creates curiosity and urgency, hinting that the email has something special.
It makes the offer sound too good to ignore.
“Because you are worthy of something exceptional.”
By appealing to the reader’s self-worth, this subject line builds anticipation for a reward.
It plays on their desire for something exclusive, making them want to see what’s inside.
Expert Advice: Crafting Effective Subject Lines
To make your subject lines work better, could you try adding urgency or a personal touch?
When you tailor subject lines to your subscribers’ recent actions, they feel noticed and are more likely to engage.
The subject line is often the most important part of any email you send.
It acts as the gateway and decides if your email gets opened, ignored, or sent to spam.
Understanding the Importance of Email Subject Lines
This article discusses the importance of subject lines, outlines best practices, and highlights common pitfalls to avoid.
We also offer a big list of email subject line examples to help you get more opens.
We’ll also look at why these subject lines work so that you can use the same ideas in your own emails.
Subject Line Categories to Enhance Engagement
To help you get the best results, we’ve grouped our favorite subject lines into categories:
- Email Subject Lines for FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
- Curiosity-Inducing Email Subject Lines
- Humorous Email Subject Lines
- Vanity Appealing Email Subject Lines
- Greed-Driven Email Subject Lines
- Compelling Subject Lines for Emails
- Subject Lines Addressing Customer Pain Points
- Retargeting Email Subject Lines
- Customizable Subject Lines for Emails
- Straightforward Subject Lines for Emails
- Sales Email Subject Lines
- Newsletter Email Subject Lines
- Follow-Up Email Subject Lines
- Cold Email Subject Lines
Would you be ready to boost your email engagement? Let’s dive in!
The Battle of Subject Lines: More Than Half the Challenge
Even the best subject line won’t work if your email doesn’t reach the right people.
To get your emails opened, you can focus on building a high-quality subscriber list.
Using tools like OptinMonster can make this process much easier.
Features like popups, slide-ins, floating bars, and spin-to-win games help you attract subscribers who really care about your content.
Advanced targeting and segmentation tools make sure your messages reach people who actually want them.
What is an Email Subject Line?
Simply put, an email subject line is a short preview of what’s inside the email as seen in the inbox.
The best subject lines grab attention and clearly show the benefits, making people want to open the email.
For example, think about a real Gmail subject line that catches your eye and makes you want to read more.
Why Are Strong Email Subject Lines Important?
Zippia’s study indicates that 47% of individuals open an email only because of its subject line.
On the other hand, 69% mark emails as spam just because of the subject line.
Shows how important it is to write good subject lines if you want more opens and fewer spam complaints.
Your email marketing success depends a lot on your subject lines.
Strong, creative subject lines can boost open rates, which in turn improve your click-through and conversion rates.
Key Reasons Why Email Subject Lines Matter:
Attention-Grabbing: Subject lines are the first thing people see, so they’re key to getting interest and action.
Setting Expectations: A good subject line gives a clear idea of what’s inside, so readers know what to expect.
When you carefully write your subject lines, you help build an audience that’s excited to see what you offer.
Mastering Email Subject Lines: Your Guide to Better Communication
Best Email Subject Lines
Writing good email subject lines is more than just a creative task. It is a key part of successful communication, especially in marketing.
The subject line is the first thing a recipient sees, and it often decides whether your email gets opened or ignored.
Here are key reasons why subject lines matter in email communication, along with tips to make them more effective.
The Email Subject Lines Importance
Avoiding Spam Filters
Today, it’s important to make sure your emails reach the people you want to connect with.
Some words or phrases can accidentally trigger spam filters, which may send your email to the spam folder.
If this happens, your message might end up in the recipient’s spam folder or not get delivered at all.
To help your emails get delivered, avoid using common trigger words in your subject lines, like “free,” “guaranteed,” or “limited-time offer.”
Knowing what to avoid makes it much more likely your email will reach its destination.
Increasing Open Rates
A compelling, engaging subject line greatly increases the chances that someone will open your email.
It is especially important in email marketing, where open rates help you measure how well your campaign is working.
Good subject lines grab attention, pique curiosity, and encourage people to click.
Studies show that a good subject line can lead to much higher open rates compared to an average one.
Promoting Interaction
Subject lines don’t just start the conversation—they also help get people interested in your email content.
An interesting subject line can encourage readers to click links, read more, or even make a purchase or sign up.
Since the subject line creates the first impression, it’s important to make it strong and relevant.
Exploring Examples of Engaging Email Subject Lines
You can discover email subject lines that spark excitement and urgency, making your audience eager not to miss out on special offers or important updates.
FOMO, or the fear of missing out, is a powerful psychological trigger in marketing.
Adding urgency, like limited-time offers, or scarcity, such as limited availability, to your subject lines can make the most of this feeling.
Research shows that using time-sensitive words like “urgent,” “breaking,” “important,” or “alert” can greatly increase open rates.
Consider the following examples that effectively evoke FOMO:
- “Oh no, your prescription is about to expire!” – Warby Parker.
- “You’re missing out on points!” – JetBlue.
- “[URGENT] You have ONE DAY to watch this!” – Digital Marketer
- “Your seven-figure plan expires at midnight!” – Digital Marketer
- “[WEEKEND ONLY] Get this NOW before it’s gone!” – Digital Marketer
- “Earn double points only today, Mary.” – Jersey Mike’s Subs.
- “Tonight only: A denim lover’s dream.” – Unknown Message
Email Subject Lines That Arouse Curiosity
People naturally want answers and don’t like missing information.
Writing subject lines that tease or leave readers wanting more, like a cliffhanger in a story, can spark curiosity and get them to open your email.
You can ask a question, make an interesting promise, or share something unusual to catch people’s interest.
Here are some captivating examples:
- “Email should not be opened.” – Manicube.
- “Last Day To See What This Mysterious Email Is All About.” – GrubHub
- “10 Bizarre Money Habits That Make Millennials Richer.” – Refinery
- “Look at my new ‘man cave’ [PICS].” – Digital Marketer
- “Is this the most popular marketing job?” – Digital Marketer
- “What They Eat In Prison.” – Unknown
- “Disgusting Facts about Thanksgiving: Eat This, Not That.” – Unknown
- “Hologram Shorts?!” – Chubbies
- “A quicker donkey.” – The Hustle
- “A surprise present for you! {unwrap}” – Mary Fernandez
Funny Subject Lines for Emails:
Funny Email Subject Lines
Adding humor to your subject lines can make people more likely to engage.
If your subject line makes someone laugh or smile, they’re much more likely to open your email.
Coming up with a clever subject line takes creativity, but it can really pay off.
Below are some playful examples that demonstrate this approach:
- “Right NowWhere to Drink Beer” – Eater Boston
- “Licking your phone has never tasted so good.” – OpenTable.
- “Offers That Make Us Happy (Unlike Our Nephew, Steve)” – Groupon
- “We Enjoy Being Used.” – The Muse
- “Goes well with spreadsheets.” – Warby Parker.
- “Want to spend a day at the beach? To reach nirvana, only scratch and sniff.” – Travelocity
- “Shakalak, boom! Let’s begin.” – TicTail.
- “On New Year’s Eve, Try To Avoid These People.” – Unknown
- “I am indeed pregnant. You can now put an end to your gaze on my belly.” – Baby Bump.
- “Fresh! A trip to Mars.” – Gozengo
- “Look what you did, you little jerk…” – The Hustle (a playful nod to the film Home Alone)
Email Subject Lines That Are Vanity Appealing
Vanity-Appealing Email Subject Lines
Everyone likes to feel important, admired, and appreciated.
Knowing this helps you write subject lines that appeal to people’s vanity and make your emails more engaging.
Using personalization, exclusivity, and recognition in your subject lines can help them stand out and connect with readers.
Looking at real-life examples can help you come up with subject lines that are both effective and memorable.
By applying these strategies and examples, you can craft subject lines that engage your audience, motivate them to act, and make your emails more noticeable in a crowded inbox.
Vanity plays a key role in crafting email subject lines that grab attention and pique readers’ interest.
Marketers can use vanity to create a sense of urgency or offer promises that make subscribers feel more confident or socially valued.
This approach helps boost open rates and piques people’s curiosity about what’s inside the email.
Here are some smart examples of email subject lines that use vanity to catch people’s attention:
A fashion brand uses the line, “Don’t wear last year’s styles,” which hints at the social pressure to keep up with trends.
This approach encourages people to think about staying stylish and up to date.
Fabletics grabs attention with “These Workout Pants Will Look Great on Your Butt,” appealing to the wish to look good while working out.
Marketing expert Jeremy Gitomer uses, “Since the third grade, how have you advanced?” This question prompts readers to reflect on their own progress and motivates them to learn more.
Rapha uses “Inspiration for a gift for the discriminating cyclist,” appealing to people who want to be seen as thoughtful and selective gift-givers.
La Mer uses “Beauty tricks that defy age,” which speaks to the desire to look young and attract subscribers interested in keeping a fresh appearance.
Pop Physique uses a playful subject line: “Prepare yourself.
Return the Pie Off Your Thighs,” using humor to talk about fitness and body image in a way that feels relatable.
Rapha also uses “As worn in the World Tour,” suggesting that their products are high-quality and associated with top-level cycling.
Sephora’s “Products the celebrities are wearing” suggests that buying these items could help readers feel more like celebrities themselves.
Greedy Email Subject Lines
Greed can also help increase open rates, especially when emails include tempting offers.
Big discounts are a strong motivator, even for people who don’t usually think of themselves as greedy.
However, marketers should be careful. Extremely large discounts might make people doubt the offer’s authenticity, thereby lowering engagement.
Adding discounts to subject lines can spark curiosity and boost clicks. Here are some good examples that appeal to readers’ love of savings:
Topshop’s “Meet your new jeans” invites people to check out the latest styles and enjoy something new.
“Get a head start on summer” highlights seasonal deals and encourages people to act early.
HP’s “Flash. Sale. Be mindful.” quickly conveys a limited-time offer and grabs readers’ attention.
“New essentials for your workplace” focuses on productivity and appeals to professionals who want to improve their work-life balance.
Seafolly’s “A new product you won’t pass on” makes the product sound special and hard to resist.
Rip Curl uses “30% off your favorites” and “Two for two” to offer savings on popular items and encourage people to check them out.
La Mer’s “A little luxury at a great price” appeals to people who want a touch of luxury without spending too much.
Rapha’s “Gift wrapping with every purchase” adds extra value and makes the shopping experience feel more special.
The Black Tux’s “Get priority access” option offers exclusivity, making subscribers feel special and more likely to open the email.
Catchy Email Subject Lines
Strong email subject lines are important because they spark curiosity and encourage readers to open and read more.
You can use different styles to catch your audience’s attention, like bold language, confident wording, or a friendly, catchy tone.
Offering practical tools or shortcuts, like lead magnets, helps readers reach their goals faster and adds value to your emails.
Here are some great examples of email subject lines that grab attention and get readers interested:
OptinMonster shares “Checklist for Creating the Ultimate Optin Form,” a detailed resource for marketers who want to improve their email sign-up forms.
This checklist is both a practical guide and a demonstration of his expertise, offering readers tips they can use right away.
which effectively hints at remarkable results and resonates with readers excited to expand their audience.
The energetic tone suggests the content is useful and appeals to marketers seeking quick wins.
Ramit Sethi offers helpful advice in “How to email a busy person (including a word-for-word script),” tackling the common challenge of reaching busy people.
By including a script, Ramit makes it easier for readers to open the email and learn these tips.
A digital marketer uses the straightforward subject line “Steal these email templates.” Invites readers to grab useful resources they can use right away in their own campaigns.
Another marketer offers “A Native Ad in 60 Minutes or Less,” appealing to professionals seeking quick, efficient advertising solutions.
This subject line is aimed at marketers who are short on time but still want effective results.
Digital Marketer’s “ideas for blog posts” gives content creators lots of inspiration, especially if they’re stuck for ideas.
Customer Pain Points Email Subject Lines
With so many ideas, readers are likely to find something that fits their needs, making the email hard to ignore.
Knowing your customers’ main problems is key to successful email marketing.
When you spot and address their challenges, your subject lines will connect better with your audience.
Here are some good examples that focus on common customer problems and offer helpful solutions:
Pizza Hut’s subject line, “Feed your guests without breaking the bank,” speaks to hosts who want to treat their guests well without overspending.
This line reassures customers that they can get good value without giving up quality.
IKEA’s subject line, “What happens to all these toys?” speaks to parents dealing with clutter at home.
This subject line piques curiosity and prompts people to think about IKEA’s solutions.
Another IKEA subject line, “These simple fixes will give you more kitchen space,” appeals to anyone wanting to make the most of their kitchen with easy solutions.
HP’s subject line, “Stop wasting money on ink,” targets people who are tired of spending too much on ink.
By focusing on this common problem, HP shows it wants to help customers save money.
Sephora’s “Your beauty problems, resolved” positions the brand as a go-to for solving common beauty issues.
Uber’s line, “Since we can’t all win the lottery,” connects with people who know the importance of budgeting for rides.
The subject line, “How to Survive Your Next Overnight Flight,” grabs the attention of frequent travelers and promises helpful tips for a better trip.
“Wanted: Adorable and reasonably priced styles” speaks to fashion lovers who want to look good without spending a lot.
Evernote’s “Stop wasting time on mindless work” connects with people who want to be more productive every day.
This subject line promises tips to help readers save time.
Duolingo’s “Learn a language in just five minutes a day” makes language learning feel easy and doable.
Retargeting Email Subject Lines
Appeals to busy people who still want to learn something new.
Retargeting emails are important for reaching out to people who left items in their cart or didn’t finish a purchase after a free trial.
These emails gently remind subscribers, pique their interest again, and encourage them to return and complete their purchase.
By personalizing these messages and reminding people about what they liked, brands can boost sales and build loyalty.
Writing strong retargeting email subject lines helps you tackle your customers’ challenges, share special offers, or remind them what they might miss if they don’t act.
These subject lines are designed to grab attention and encourage engagement, which can lead to more conversions.
Here are some great examples from different brands that show how well these techniques work:
Nick Stephenson employs a powerful sense of urgency with the subject line: “How You Can Afford Your First 10,000 Readers (Closing Tonight).”
This subject line encourages quick action by leveraging the fear of missing out (FOMO).
Bonobos, known for their casual approach, sends a friendly reminder with the subject line: “Hey, did you forget something? Is 20% off.”
This approach feels personal and also gives people a reason to respond.
A compelling retargeting subject line might state: “The price dropped for something in your cart.”
Let’s let our customers know they can save money and remind them about something they liked before.
Envira generates urgency and concern with statements such as “Mary, your Envira account is on hold” and “I’m deleting your Envira account.”
These messages get people’s attention right away and push them to take action.
Ugmonk uses a personal touch with the subject line “Offering you my personal email,” making the message feel more friendly and direct.
Animoto sparks curiosity by asking, “Have you taken advantage of any of these new features?” Invites users to check out what’s new.
Pinterest motivates users with good news: “Good News: The price of your pin has decreased!” This positive message encourages people to come back and take another look.
Unroll. Me uses a clear subject line: “Unroll. Me is no longer operational.” Quickly lets users know about an important change.
Vivino reassures users with the subject line: “We won’t give up on you!” Reminds people they’re valued and encourages loyalty.
Personalized Email Subject Lines
Personalizing your email subject lines can greatly boost open rates, often by 10-14% across various industries.
Personalization isn’t just about using someone’s name. You can also share exclusive content, use a friendly tone, or write in a way that feels familiar.
Here are some strong examples of personalized email subject lines that work well:
Guess adds a personal touch with, “Look at these carefully chosen looks, Mary,” directly addressing the recipient and making them feel special.
Rent the Runway makes birthdays special with, “Happy Birthday, Mary! There’s a Surprise Inside!” Celebrates the occasion and piques people’s curiosity about the surprise.
Bonnie Fahy keeps it casual with, “Do you remember me, Mary?” This personal touch helps reconnect with the recipient.
Kimra Luna uses, “Your name was missing from the comments!?” to spark curiosity and encourage people to join in.
John Lee Dumas asks, “Will you be attending?” This simple question invites a response.
UrbanDaddy uses the subject line “You’ve Changed,” which prompts people to reflect on their preferences and choices.
Influitive sends a personal invite: “I’ll come get you at seven?” Keeps the tone friendly and informal.
James Malinchak grabs attention with “Crazy Invitation, I am Going to Buy You Lunch,” showcasing a fun, friendly style.
Brooklinen playfully asks, “Vanilla or Chocolate?” to prompt people to share their favorite.
Sam from The Hustle uses “I love you” as a subject line, creating a warm, lighthearted feeling that can boost engagement.
Ryan Levesque employs “Who Does This, Really?” to pique curiosity and motivate recipients to open the email.
Jon Morrow asks, “A little favor?” which adds a friendly touch and invites a response.
Mary Fernandez targets availability, stating, “This Thursday at 12 PM PST, are you free? [class on guest blogging].”
This personalized offer shows you respect the recipient’s time.
OptinMonster shows value with “300% increase in revenue with a single opt-in + a neat growth trick from my mastermind,” offering useful tips.
Revolution Tea says, “We appreciate your assistance,” to build a sense of community and thank their audience.
Harry’s offers “Two razors for your friends (on us),” encouraging people to share with friends.
Clear Email Subject Lines
Simple Subject Lines for Emails
If you’re not sure what to write, choosing a simple subject line is often a good idea.
Even plain subject lines can lead to great conversion rates, even if they seem boring at first.
The real secret is always to send valuable content in your emails.
If subscribers know your emails are always useful and interesting, they’ll open them no matter what the subject line says.
Here are some short email subject lines that have worked really well:
Al Franken states plainly: “Yes, this is a fundraising email,” directly informing recipients of the email’s purpose.
AYR captures attention with a bold statement: “The greatest coat ever,” intriguing recipients to learn more.
Barack Obama maintains a casual tone with a simple greeting: “Hi,” which is approachable and friendly.
These simple subject lines got impressive open rates, from 60% up to 87%, among many emails:
- “Sales & Marketing Newsletter [Company Name].”
- “Watch the [Company Name] Update.”
- “[Company Name] Employee Shirts & Images”
- “May 2005 News Bulletin [Company Name]!”
- “February 2006 [Company Name] Newsletter.”
- “You’re invited by [Company Name] and [Company Name]!”
- “From [Company Name], happy holidays.”
- “From [Company Name], an invitation.”
Subject Lines for Sales Emails
Sales Email Subject Lines
Sales email subject lines are key to promoting products and closing deals with potential customers.
They should be both appealing and confident, so people feel motivated to engage and think about buying.
Good sales subject lines often mention limited-time offers, special discounts, or strong calls to action to create urgency and interest.
When you focus on what your audience wants, your subject lines can boost conversions and help build lasting customer relationships.
Email subject lines are crucial for catching people’s attention.
They often use language that makes the offer feel exclusive or urgent, encouraging people to act quickly.
Good subject lines might include phrases like “limited time,” “exclusive offer,” or “sneak peek” to make the email more appealing.
These kinds of phrases encourage people to open the email and see what’s inside.
To increase engagement, these emails typically include a direct call to action, like “Shop now” or “Learn more,” encouraging quick responses.
Here are some examples of strong subject lines used in successful sales emails:
“Get 20% off your first purchase with this limited-time promotion!” This subject line offers a big discount and creates urgency.
“Don’t miss out on this year’s biggest bargain!” This one uses FOMO to encourage quick action.
“Sneak peek: Unveiling our newest product line.” This subject line sparks excitement and curiosity about what’s coming.
“Save 10% by upgrading your [product/service].” Appeals to people who want to save money and improve what they have.
“Special deal: Buy one, get one free!” This classic offer highlights value.
Newsletter Email Subject Lines
Newsletter subject lines are designed to inform and update subscribers about news and developments within a specific industry or company.
These newsletters usually go out weekly or monthly to keep readers engaged and up to date.
Here are some examples of engaging newsletter subject lines:
“Stay updated: Our monthly newsletter is now live!” Encourages readers to stay up to date with the latest content.
“This week’s must-read articles for you.” Personalizing the subject line makes it more appealing.
“Be the first to hear about new product launches.” Builds anticipation and excitement.
“Your weekly dose of motivation and inspiration awaits.” Shows the newsletter offers value and positivity.
Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content.
It is an excellent way to stay informed and gain special privileges. We are excited to welcome you on board.
Follow-up Email Subject Lines
I want to remind people or prompt them to continue the conversation after your first message.
These follow-ups are especially helpful in networking or sales, where a quick reply can make a big difference in closing a deal or building a connection.
Here are some good examples of follow-up email subject lines:
“A brief follow-up regarding our recent meeting.” Reminds the recipient about your last meeting in a polite way.
“I wanted to circle back on [topic].” Keeps the conversation going and shows you’re still interested.
“Checking in on your progress.” Shows you care and reminds the recipient about earlier commitments.
“A gentle reminder: [Action needed].” Clearly asks for action without sounding pushy.
“Last chance to take advantage of [offer]: Don’t let this opportunity pass!” Creates urgency and FOMO.
Cold Email Subject Lines
Cold email subject lines are designed to initiate conversations with new prospects or clients.
These subject lines should be unique, short, and interesting. They should clearly state the email’s purpose and stay polite.
Phrases such as “introducing,” “would you be interested,” or “let’s chat” help create a friendly tone.
A clear value proposition also shows how you can help with the recipient’s needs or challenges.
Here are some strong examples of cold email subject lines:
“Introducing [Product/Service]: Your solution for [specific issue].” This subject line clearly shows the benefit.
“Would [Value proposition] pique your interest?” Invites curiosity about how you can help.
“Can we assist you in achieving [Goal]?” Shows you want to help the recipient reach their goals.
“Let’s discuss [Topic] further.” Invites the recipient to continue the conversation.
Top Email Subject Line Keywords
“Reaching out to explore a potential collaboration.” Suggests working together and building trust.
Research also shows that using certain keywords can make email subject lines more effective.
Several studies, including one conducted by Alchemy Worx analyzing 45 billion emails, show that using particular keywords can increase open rates.
Some of the most effective keywords are:
- “Upgrade”
- “Just”
- “Content”
- “Go”
- “Wonderful”
- “Promotional”
- “Congratulations”
- “Revision”
- “Forecast”
- “Snapshot”
- “Token”
- “Voluntary”
- “Monthly”
- “Deduction”
Another study by Digital Marketer, which looked at 126 million emails, found that using these keywords can make subject lines even more effective and boost engagement.
By using these strategies, marketers can greatly improve their open rates and the overall success of their emails.
Engaging Email Subject Lines: Key Insights and Best Practices
Writing strong email subject lines is essential in email marketing because they can significantly affect how many people open and engage with your emails.
After analyzing billions of emails, experts have found that certain phrases and strategies work especially well.
Here are some useful findings and best practices to improve your email campaigns.
Phrases That Grab Attention
Some words and phrases are especially good at catching people’s interest in email subject lines.
Here are a few of the most effective ones:
“Free”: The concept of receiving something at no cost continues to be a powerful motivator for readers.
If used well, it can boost engagement and encourage people to take action.
“ICYMI” (In Case You Missed It): This popular abbreviation adds urgency and encourages readers to check out information they might have missed, which often leads to more clicks.
Pricing Strategies: Subject lines with phrases like “$ today, $$$ tomorrow” create urgency and highlight potential savings, prompting people to act quickly.
Numbers: Using numbers in subject lines, like “8-figure plan,” “ideas,” or “60 minutes or less,” promise clear, specific value.
Numbers make subject lines feel more specific, which many readers like.
Brackets for Highlighting Key Segments: Adding brackets to subject lines, like “[EMAIL MARKETERS] $99 today, $999 tomorrow” or “[NAME’s Last Reminder] Up to 89% off our best-selling products,” can spark curiosity and help you target different groups.
Research by Adestra, which looked at over 2.3 billion emails, found that these subject line keywords also got a lot of attention:
- “Free delivery.”
- “New”
- “Update”: People often look for these words because they signal new content or important changes.
Seasonal words like “Summer” and “Weekend” also attract readers who want content that fits the season.
Another study of over 126,000 email campaigns found these subject line keywords stood out:
“Thank you.”: Showing appreciation can help build better relationships with customers.
Using this creative format lets you display multiple headlines at once, which can pique readers’ curiosity.
“Monthly” and “bulletin”: These words work well for regular updates or newsletters.
“Breaking” and “Place your order now”: These phrases push readers to act right away and quickly grab their interest.
A Smart Insights study of 700 million emails also highlighted these keywords:
“Introducing” and “Get your”: These phrases are great for teasing new products and encouraging people to learn more.
Questions: Subject lines that ask questions, like “What?” or “Do…?”, can grab attention and make readers curious.
Promotional phrases: Words like “Off selected” or “Orders completed” speak directly to customer actions and encourage them to respond.
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Best Ways to Write Engaging Email Subject Lines: Best Practices
To make your email subject lines more appealing and effective, try these best practices:
Segment Your Audience: Remember, your audience has different interests and habits.
If you tailor subject lines to each group’s preferences, you can boost engagement.
Avoid Spam Trigger Words: Words like “cash,” “earn money,” and “act now” are often caught by spam filters.
Avoiding these words helps your emails land in inboxes instead of spam folders.
Clarity is Key: Your subject line should clearly show what the email is about.
If your subject line is vague or misleading, readers may get frustrated and engage less.
Action-Oriented Language: Use strong verbs that create urgency.
Phrases like “limited time offer” or “ending soon” can motivate people to act right away.
Incorporate Personalization: Adding the recipient’s name or details to the subject line makes the email feel more personal and can boost engagement.
A/B Testing: Test various subject lines to see which your audience prefers.
Changing up the length, tone, and style can give you helpful ideas for future emails.
Common Mistakes Avoid Email Subject Lines
To make sure your subject lines are impactful, steer clear of these typical errors:
Clickbait or Deceptive Language: Avoid exaggerating or making promises you can’t keep. These tactics can annoy readers and make them unsubscribe.
Excessive Punctuation or All Caps: Using too much punctuation or all capital letters can make your subject line look like spam and turn readers away.
False Promises: Ensure any claims in your subject line are true and reflected in the email. If not, readers may lose trust.
Vague or General Lines: Be clear so your subject line shows the value to the reader.
More Tips for Writing Great Email Subject Lines
Crafting Catchy Email Subject Lines
To make your subject lines even better and get more opens, keep these tips in mind as you come up with ideas:
Stay up to date with new trends in subject lines and email marketing.
Watch what your competitors are doing and look at successful subject lines in your industry for ideas.
Try adding emojis or symbols for a visual touch, but don’t overdo it.
By using these tips, you can make your email marketing more effective and get your subscribers more involved.
Understanding the Importance of Mobile-Friendly Email Marketing
Most People Open Emails on Mobile Devices
These days, most people check their emails on their phones.
Because of this, it’s important to write subject lines that look good on mobile, no matter what your email strategy is.
Even though mobile email use dropped a bit at the end of 2018, most people still check their email on their phones.
So, your subject line should be easy to read on small screens.
To see how your sender name, subject line, and preview text look on different phones, try free tools like EmailToolTester’s subject line checker.
With this tool, you can select a device to preview, then enter your email address, sender name, subject line, and preview text.
After you enter these details, you’ll see exactly how your email will show up in different mobile inboxes.
The Importance of Originality in Subject Lines
Being original is key to catching your audience’s attention. If your subject lines are unique and interesting, you’ll have more long-term success.
People can lose interest fast, and you don’t want new or inactive subscribers to see your subject line and think, “Oh, there’s that regular newsletter that I always ignore.”
Keep your subject lines fresh and interesting to make your emails stand out.
Writing creative subject lines is one of the easiest and best ways to do this.
Experimenting with Emojis for Better Engagement
You can also include emojis in your subject lines. According to Experian research, this can boost open rates by 45%.
At OptinMonster, our tests also show that subject lines with emojis usually do better than those with only plain text.
We’ve found the top 15 emojis that work well in email subject lines.
These might not be the best emojis for everyone, but they are popular and can help make your subject lines more effective.
Utilizing Our Cheat Sheet for Inspiring Subject Lines
To help with your email marketing, we’ve put together top subject lines to inspire your next campaign.
If you find this helpful, you can go ahead and download our cheat sheet to look up ideas whenever you need some inspiration.
The Critical Role of Subject Lines in eCommerce Marketing
In e-commerce, good subject lines are especially important because they can make or break your email campaigns.
A strong subject line can really boost your results, especially during big sales like Black Friday.
But even the best subject lines won’t help if your emails aren’t reaching people who care about what you offer.
How OptinMonster Can Transform Your Open Rates
It’s important to write great subject lines, but it’s just as important to send your emails to truly interested people.
No matter how good your subject line is, your open rates will drop if your emails go to people who aren’t interested.
That’s where OptinMonster can help.
OptinMonster offers tools such as pop-ups, slide-ins, floating bars, and spin-to-win games to help you attract and retain the right subscribers.
Building a quality email list increases your chances of reaching potential customers.
Our advanced targeting tools help identify leads that are truly interested in your products, services, or content.
You can tailor your offers based on user behavior, location, and time spent on your site to ensure the right people join your list.
OptinMonster’s exit-intent technology is also very useful. It detects when a visitor is about to leave your site and displays a special offer, which can convert them into loyal subscribers.
Why settle for low open rates when you can build a list of people who actually want to hear from you?
If you haven’t tried OptinMonster yet, now’s a great time. Start with a risk-free account today: Get OptinMonster Now!
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