How to Write Email Subject Lines That Get Opened

Knowing how to write effective subject lines for emails is a key skill for any digital marketer. An eye-catching subject line not only helps readers identify whether they should open an email message or not, but also impacts whether it gets moved to Spam or even becomes popular enough to go viral. Writing effective emails can be a challenge because readers often skim fast — or even delete — without reading. Writing the best email subject lines for maximum opens and click-throughs, however, is easy if you follow some key steps and know a few more tips and tricks.

Create a Sense of Urgency

Creating a sense of urgency is an important part of marketing and sales strategy. It involves giving potential customers a limited time to act on an offer, typically by explaining that the offer is only available for a short period of time or that quantities are limited. When done effectively, it can help to reduce shopping cart abandonment, improve conversions and make sure customers don't delay their purchase. Creating a sense of urgency doesn't have to be tricky. Consider these simple tips for generating urgency: 1. Utilize Countdown Timers: Create a sense of urgency and motivate customers to buy by including a countdown timer on the checkout page. This helps let shoppers know that their window for taking advantage of the offer is closing soon. 2. Highlight Limited Quantities: Letting customers know that the product they’re interested in is limited in quantity will make them more likely to purchase it faster rather than lose out. 3. Offer Limited Time Deals: By regularly providing special offers or discounts with a limited time frame, you can encourage customers to take advantage of the deals before they expire. 4. Show Social Proof: By showcasing how many people have bought or engaged with the offer, customers will feel confident and be spurred to act. 5. Share FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) Message: FOMO messages are a great way to cultivate a sense of urgency and get customers to move quickly. These tips can be used in a variety of ways in your marketing strategy, from email to social media to product pages. No matter how you use them, if done right, you should be able to create a sense of urgency among your customers and potential customers.

Stay Within the Character Length Limit

When it comes to writing a post, tweet, email, or even text message, it is essential to stay within the character length limit. Character limits are important because they prevent us from writing messages that are too long and getting our point across effectively. Staying within the character limit helps keep our messages focused, allowing readers to quickly understand our main points. The most important character limit to stay within is when dealing with social media. When you are only given 140-280 characters (depending on the platform) to express yourself, every word counts. Make sure to use your allotted characters wisely and ensure that your message is clear and concise. Avoiding filler words or phrases, staying on topic, and communicating one central message are key to staying within the character limit. When dealing with emails, it’s best to keep your messages friendly and straightforward. When writing emails, avoid making lengthy, drawn-out stories that stray from the point. Aim to stick within two to four short paragraphs when composing longer emails. Text messages are a brief form of communication, so be sure to keep them short, sweet, and simple. Be conscious of how you word your response; read your message multiple times to ensure that the reader properly understands what you are trying to say. When writing a blog post, be sure to check your word count and make sure it is within the designated range. Breaking up your posts into short sections with headings is a great way to stay on topic and within the character limit. Staying within the character limit helps communicate our points effectively by avoiding any unnecessary content that may be distracting. It is also essential to abide by the character limit in order to respect the time of our readers. Following these character limit guidelines can help make sure that our messages are well communicated and understood.

Be Relevant and Interesting

It’s important to remain relevant and interesting in today’s competitive market. Staying up-to-date and keeping a conversation going with your customers is key to setting yourself apart from the competition. The best way to stay relevant and interesting is by developing an engaging strategy that works for your brand. First, you want to make sure you’re always keeping an eye on the latest trends in your industry. Monitor the latest news, products, and technologies, and identify meaningful opportunities to use them in your marketing campaigns. This helps ensure that you’re staying ahead of the competition and staying relevant in the conversation. Second, you want to focus on content marketing. Content is king and investing in quality content can help you maintain an engaged audience over time. From industry reports and articles to multimedia content, there are a variety of content types you can use to keep your audience’s attention. Third, it’s important to interact with your audience. Make sure you’re listening to their feedback, responding to their inquiries, and providing helpful and comprehensive information to keep them engaged. Finally, personalize your strategy and customize it to meet your audience’s needs. Identify your target audience and tailor your messaging to meet their interests. Pay attention to the types of content they are engaging with and the platforms they are using. By taking the time to stay relevant and interesting, you can not only differentiate yourself from the competition but increase trust and loyalty from your customers in the process. It’s all about understanding your audience’s wants and needs and developing a personalized strategy for engaging with them.

Personalize Emails for Targeted Results

Email marketing is one of the most effective and powerful tools for connecting with customers and driving sales. Personalizing emails to a specific target audience can drastically improve your results. It doesn’t stop with just the recipient’s name and a witty subject line; today’s email marketing landscape encourages marketers to craft custom emails that speak to the needs of a specific customer. Personalized emails are becoming more advanced and allow marketers to build an emotional connection with their target audience and encourage new sales. When crafted properly, personalized emails can be excellent lead generators that result in more successful conversions. To create personalised emails that drive results, marketers need to first segment their email lists based on customer data such as age, location, and purchase history. This allows them to create tailored emails that are relevant to specific audience segments. From there, marketers can tailor the content to each individual customer. Other tips for personalizing emails to drive results include including product or purchase suggestions, providing customer reviews, and sharing industry news or related stories. Incorporating engaging visuals can also help keep subscribers interested in the emails. Finally, personalizing emails to their target audience means crafting an email subject line that immediately grabs their attention and can result in higher open rates. Crafting a subject line that is brief, creative and tailored to the individual customer can be key for dramatically improved email campaigns. Personalizing emails for each target audience not only increases customer engagement but can eventually lead to improved conversions, higher open rates, and better ROI for marketers. As businesses continue to rely more heavily on email marketing in the digital age, it is important for marketers to stay up-to-date with today’s marketing best practices for personalizing their emails to drive the best results.

Email personalization is a great way to impact your target audience and deliver tailored messages that will capture their attention and interest. Below are 5 elements that are essential to customizing emails for targeted results:

• Collect relevant customer data
• Utilize segmentation
• Apply dynamic content
• Test subject lines
• Include calls to action

Include Actionable Verbs

Developing Effective Time Management Skills The key to becoming and staying productive is to develop and consistently practice effective time management skills. Knowing how to prioritize tasks and knowing when and how to effectively manage your resources are essential for success in both personal and professional life. To ensure that you stay on track, here are some tips for effective time management: Plan Ahead: Proper planning is essential to managing your time and achieving desired outcomes. Schedule tasks ahead of time so that there is no last-minute rush to get things done. Analyze your responsibilities for the day and set realistic deadlines that you can stick to. Prioritize: Take a look at your tasks and prioritize them according to their importance. This will help you understand the tasks that need to be finished first, and the ones that can wait until later. Make sure you address urgent tasks first and break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable portions. Focus: The most important part of time management is maintaining focus when completing tasks. Distractions can often pull away any progress you may have made, so setting blocks of focused time throughout the day can be extremely beneficial. Eliminate Unnecessary Tasks: Evaluate any tasks that take up a lot of your time that can be eliminated. Not only can cutting down on these tasks save you time, but they can also stay away any extra stress. Set Goals: Each day, set goals that you want to accomplish. Not all goals need to be big, but taking the time to set measurable goals can offer direction and motivate you to stay on track. Include Breaks: Working through tasks for long periods of time can also be just as damaging as not working at all. Make sure you include breaks as part of your day to reset and renew, allowing you to stay productive and energized. Developing effective time management skills is key to success, no matter the task that you are faced with. With practice and consistency, you will be able to create a workflow that works for you and your lifestyle.

Make Sure the Subject Line Matches Your Email Content

A well-crafted subject line is quite essential when it comes to crafting an effective email. Aside from enticingly informing the recipient what the email is about, it also serves as a preview of the content that follows. Unfortunately, far too many emails often feature a subject line that simply does not match the body of the email. Having an ineffective subject line can not only be disingenuous to the recipient but it also compromises the effectiveness of the email, as the reader may not realize what the email is about or does not perceive it as valuable enough to even bother reading. For example, an email with a seemingly interesting subject line "Get Ready For Exciting Sales!" that does not direct to any important information about sales may fail to entice the reader into actually reading it as opposed to someone who sends an email with a subject line "20% Off On Select Items" which clearly lets the reader know what the email is clearly about. Furthermore, emails that contain subject lines that are either too short or too long tend to perform worse. Subject lines that are too long are commonly overlooked in busy inboxes, and ones that are too short can fail to capture the recipient’s interest. Short subject lines should provide high-level info about the purpose of the email while long subject lines can provide more specific details. Another aspect to consider is being careful not to sound too promotional. Clichés or phrases such as “promo code inside” or “only today” can often ring an alarm to the reader that this email may be promotional in nature. Instead, opt for something more direct and intriguing that reflects the goal of the email. In conclusion, making sure the subject line wisely aligns with the email content is essential in terms of having the content be read and understood by the reader. A carefully crafted subject line offers insight into the purpose of the email and can entice the recipient into reading the email content and responding. When considering the needs of the reader, it is important to make sure the subject line conveys the same message as the body of the email and is not too promotional or too long or short.

Use Numbers and List Formats

Using numbers and list formats are effective writing tools that can help you to organize your thoughts when you communicate with others. Whether you’re writing a blog post or a business proposal, ultimately, your objective is to communicate information as clearly and succinctly as possible. Here are five ways to use numbers and list formats to get your message across. 1. Use a numbered list to illustrate how to complete a task. If you are trying to explain to a user how to perform a specific task, it is best to break down the steps into a numbered list. This helps the user visualize the individual steps, and keeps them on track as they complete the instructions. 2. Use bullet points to emphasize key points. After you have finished an introduction or a main body of text, you can use bullet points to focus on the main points you’ve just made. This helps to highlight essential information that you want your readers to take away and remember. 3. Introduce ideas with an enumerated list. Using a numbered list right away let’s the reader know what to expect from the rest of your article. It’s a great way to set the tone for the content and it will help the reader easily track the topics as they progress through your piece. 4. Use numbered headings and sub-headings to organize content. Numbered headings and sub-headings make it easy to tell what sections are related to each other. You can also use this to your advantage to organize topics in numerical order. 5. Provide example cases. Providing examples of real-life cases, and then breaking them down into numbered explanations is a great way to show the reader how to easily apply the concepts you’re teaching them. These are just five ways to use numbers and list formats in your writing. Keep your writing easy to read and organized by using these techniques strategically and you’ll be sure to keep your readers interested in what you have to say.

Sometimes, it can be useful to present information using numbers and list formats. Lists help to clearly present a set of data, while the use of numbers helps to provide clarity and relevance to the information. Below are five of the most popular formats for using numbers and lists:

1. Bulleted Lists
2. Numbered Lists
3. Hierarchical Lists
4. Mixed-level Lists
5. Definition Lists

Let Your Email Recipients Know What to Expect

When sending business emails, it is essential to be clear so that your message is understood by the recipient. This means letting the recipient know exactly what the email is about and setting the right expectations. Begin your emails with a clear statement of the subject. A vague, lackluster subject line will likely get overlooked or buried among other emails. Try to be specific and to the point. If you’re sending information regarding an upcoming meeting, say ‘Meeting Invitation: XYZ Company’. If you’re dealing with a problem, be specific about what it is. For the body of the email, give a short summary of the content. This is often found at the beginning of the message, before the main text. In a few sentences, let the recipient know what the email is going to talk about. It should be concise and clear, so that the recipient knows how to organize and prioritize the email when reviewing it. The next step is to provide the details. This is where you will discuss all of the relevant information regarding the topic. Be clear and organized in how you present the information. If there are discussions that need to happen, or tasks that need to be done, specify who is doing what and when. If you expect feedback from the recipient, explain the timeline they need to follow. Finally, make sure to include a conclusion or call to action. Thank the recipient and clearly explain what you’d like them to do. You can also include an appropriate follow-up contact information, like a phone number or additional email address. By letting your recipients understand what to expect from your email, you ensure that they are not overwhelmed when reading it. This maximizes the recipient’s understanding of the message, and enables them to respond appropriately.

Invoke Mystery and Curiosity

Have you ever been curious about something or wanted to uncover a secret? Everyone experiences mystery and curiosity to some degree - it's part of what makes us human. Explore the power of mystery and curiosity in your life to delve into unique experiences and uncover the unknown. One way to do this is by connecting with like-minded people. Reach out to experts, authors, and others who can spark your curiosity and stimulate your mind. Find ways to get involved in your local or online community. Form a study group, attend seminars and workshops, or take a class that throws you out of your comfort zone. It can also be beneficial to nurture your desire for exploration through activities like traveling and exploring unfamiliar places. Even if it's just a weekend road trip, try to see something you haven't seen before and immerse yourself in a culture different from your own. It could provide a new perspective and deepen your awareness of the world. Traditionally, engaging our curiosity involved figuring out puzzles, riddles, or other mental challenges. From Rubik's cubes to complex mathematical algorithms, there are many opportunities to stimulate your critical thinking skills while enjoying the thrill of the unknown. Reflecting on personal experiences, events, and social issues can also invoke curiosity and wonder. Learning more about the past, questioning existing norms, and understanding social dynamics are great ways to feed your interest and creativity. Mystery and curiosity is at the root of our dynamic and multifaceted lives. Open yourself to new ideas and never stop questioning the boundaries of reality. Explore new avenues instead of stagnating in a single routine. Feed your curiosity with knowledge and experience, and you will find yourself in awe of the vast potential that lies within us.

Tailor Your Email Subject to Different Devices

Tailoring your email subject to different devices can be a powerful tool in your email marketing arsenal. When done properly, it increases the chances of your recipients actually opening and reading your emails. Today’s consumers use a variety of devices to check their email, and each device varies in the character and size limitations of the subject field. When crafting your subject, aim for a short and sweet copy that encourages the user to open it, while taking into account the character limits of the most popular email clients. For example, when creating an email for desktop devices like Gmail, your subject should be under 70 characters. To capture the attention of mobile device users like iPhone users, your subject should be around 35 characters. Instead of just writing one subject for all devices, customize it for different situations. For example, you can create something special for people who have recently made a purchase or subscribed to your newsletter. A good idea is to include the recipient's name and make them feel special by personalizing the email. On the other hand, if you're targeting people who haven't interacted with your brand in a while, you should be more creative with your subject since your main goal is to re-engage them. For instance, you could let them know that a certain promotion has been extended or make them curious with a relevant question. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you don't make the subject too long for the user to see. Overall, tailoring your email subject to different devices helps you to reach all of the members of your target audience successfully. You can increase the open rate of your emails by crafting engaging subjects that are optimized for the devices that your potential customers are using. Additionally, you should be creative and use personalization techniques to make your emails stand out and keep getting clicked on by your recipients.

Allude to Future Emails

As you continue to grow your business, you’ll continue to find yourself in situations where email communication will be your best tool. In order to get the most out of your emails, it’s important to begin creating a plan of action beforehand. The best way to get ahead of this and make sure that your emails are successful is to start alluding to future emails. When alluding to future emails, it’s important to remain clear and concise in what you’re saying. Speak in the present tense but only when you’re referring to emails that you plan to send out in the future. While it’s not necessary to provide all the details for the email you’re alluding to, it’s important to give the reader an idea of the topic you’ll be discussing in the near future. Doing this will allow your readers to become familiar with the environment and the topic of discussion without feeling overwhelmed. For example, if you want to speak to someone about setting up a meeting, you could allude to it in the current email by saying something like, “In our next email, we’ll be talking more in detail about setting up a meeting among us.” This type of forward thinking creates anticipation in the readers and shows that you’re prepared and well-organized. Alluding to future emails is also great for creating follow-up emails that can be used to remind readers of what you discussed in the original email. This allows you to stay on top of responding to emails in a timely manner and ensures that everyone is kept in the know. Alluding to future emails is a great way to make sure that you stay ahead of your email correspondence. It allows you to remain organized and keep everyone in the loop, which, in the end, will help ensure the success of your emails.

An effective way to promote your business and engage with leads is to use future emails to keep customers aware of your current offers. This form of marketing can provide potential customers with important information or remind them of the products and services available to them and ultimately drive sales. Below, is a table comparing the the advantages and disadvantages of developing a future email campaign to market to leads.

Don’t Be Too Pushy with Your Subject Lines

It's important to realize that the body of an email is only the beginning. Your subject line is the main element that will make sure your emails gets opened each and every time. But that doesn’t mean you should be too pushy when it comes to the way you write your emails’ subject lines. Too often, people use subject lines that are confusing, vague, misleading, or repetitive. This results in the email being marked as spam or just gets thrown into the trash folder. Instead, craft subject lines that will make your reader eager to open your email and keep reading. Think of it this way — your subject line is the promise you make to your readers. You want to excite them and give them an idea of what to expect. Try to avoid using words like “urgent”, “important”, “read now”, and other similar words that could lead to email fatigue. You should pay attention to the length of your subject line as well. Too long of a subject line won’t fit in the mobile phone and might just get truncated. Keep it under 50 characters or preferably around 30 for best results. Finally, consider personalising your subject line. This will help differentiate your emails from everyone else’s. Instead of just having a generic subject line, try adding the name of the recipient or a brief but personalised message. As long as your subject line isn’t misleading and shows the reader what to expect, personalisation is a great way to boost open rates. When it comes to crafting perfect subject lines, don’t be too pushy. Be creative and keep the reader in mind. Keep it concise, personalised, and to the point. This way, readers won’t feel like they’re being bombarded with irritating emails and will be more likely to stay engaged with your emails.