Best email subject lines that work
Creating an impactful email subject line is crucial for the success of your email marketing campaign. It’s the first element your subscribers encounter, and it often determines whether your email will be opened or overlooked. Without an engaging subject line, your email could easily get lost in a crowded inbox. But don’t worry—you’re in the right place to learn how to craft subject lines that capture attention and motivate your audience to open your emails.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through what an email subject line is and why it’s so important. Then, we’ll dive into practical tips and strategies to help you create effective subject lines that not only entice recipients to open your emails but also increase engagement with your content. By the end of this guide, you’ll also get to see examples of some of the best email subject lines across different categories, giving you the tools to start improving your own email marketing results.
What is an email subject line, and why does it matter?
An email subject line is the short text that appears in the recipient's inbox, summarizing the purpose of your message. It’s essentially the headline of your email, and often, it’s the deciding factor between your email being opened or ignored. This small but powerful line has the job of convincing the reader that your email contains something valuable for them.
The subject line acts as a preview of what’s inside your email, supporting the main message and goal of your content. Whether you’re promoting a product, sharing a newsletter, or providing important updates, the subject line needs to be optimized for your specific audience. When done correctly, a well-crafted subject line can grab attention, spark curiosity, and prompt recipients to click on your email rather than letting it slip into the trash or, worse, the spam folder.
Investing extra time into perfecting your subject lines can significantly improve your email open rates. This effort helps ensure your message reaches the right people, builds trust with your audience, and avoids common pitfalls like spam triggers. Plus, strong subject lines lead to higher engagement, prompting subscribers to take actions that drive value for your business—whether that’s clicking through to a blog post, signing up for an event, or making a purchase.
What makes a subject line stand out?
Creating a subject line that resonates with your audience involves more than just throwing in a catchy phrase. Several key factors contribute to an email subject line that stands out in a crowded inbox and entices recipients to open your message. Below are some important considerations when crafting your next subject line:
1. Content:
Given the limited space available in an inbox, your subject line needs to be concise yet informative. It should provide a hint of what’s inside the email without giving away everything. The key is to strike a balance between being informative and piquing the reader's curiosity. Sometimes, teasing the email’s content can be more effective than stating it outright. For example, if you’re promoting a sale or product launch, alluding to the benefits the recipient will gain from reading further can work wonders. Let your subscribers know there’s value in opening the email, whether it’s a new product update, a special offer, or helpful tips related to your industry.
2. Tone:
Tone plays an important role in influencing how your subject line is perceived. The right tone can evoke the emotions necessary to prompt action. For instance, if you’re running a time-sensitive promotion, an urgent tone can push people to act quickly (“Only 24 hours left to grab 50% off!”). On the other hand, if your email is about an exciting new product launch, your tone may be more informative yet still playful enough to create curiosity. The tone should always align with your brand’s overall voice and appeal to the emotions of your target audience.
3. Style:
Like tone, the styling of your subject line affects how your message will be received. The style should reflect your brand identity and be appropriate for your audience. For example, if you have a youthful, energetic brand, you might include emojis in your subject line to add a fun, visual element. Meanwhile, a brand that targets professionals might prefer a more formal style with clear, concise wording. Avoid using excessive punctuation or all-caps, as this can make your email look spammy and trigger filters that push your email to the spam folder. It’s all about finding the right balance between standing out and maintaining credibility.
Examples of effective email subject lines
To help you see these principles in action, here are a few examples of high-performing email subject lines across different categories:
Professional subject lines:
“SEO Best Practices 2024: Download the Guide”
“DC Networking Round-Up: March Update”
“Hints & Tips for a Better Resume”
“Learn: A New Playlist Went Live for ‘Design’”
“Check Out These Expert Tips to Build Better Emails”
These subject lines are clear and professional, giving readers a strong indication of the valuable information they can expect to find in the email. They speak directly to the audience's career goals or professional interests, which is key to driving engagement.
Funny subject lines:
“Your Fridge Says You’re Not Being Creative Enough”
“There’s Not Enough Sticky Notes on Your Desk”
“The Earth’s 70% Water, and You’re Parched”
“Sisterhood: We’re Double-Cuffing Now [Jeans Emoji]”
Humor can be an excellent way to catch someone’s attention and bring some personality into your subject lines. These examples use witty, playful phrasing to pique curiosity and encourage recipients to open the email for a smile or laugh.
Cold email subject lines:
“Discover the Secret to [Desired Outcome]”
“Boost Your [Goal] with [Offered Solution]”
“Your [Product/Service] Success Starts Here”
“New Insights on [Relevant Topic] Inside”
When reaching out to cold leads, it’s important to keep your subject line straightforward and direct. These examples are clear, value-focused, and designed to tell the recipient exactly what they stand to gain by opening the email.
Final Thoughts: How to Write Catchy Subject Lines That Get Noticed
Crafting email subject lines that get noticed requires creativity, strategy, and an understanding of your audience. By focusing on content, tone, and style, you can develop subject lines that capture attention and encourage recipients to engage with your emails.
Remember to take the time to test different approaches—what works for one campaign might not work for another. A/B testing can help you see which subject lines generate the highest open rates and click-through rates, allowing you to continuously improve your email marketing strategy. Don’t forget to check your own inbox for inspiration; see which subject lines grabbed your attention and think about why they were effective.
With these tips and examples, you’re ready to write email subject lines that not only boost open rates but also strengthen your overall email marketing performance, driving more traffic, leads, and conversions for your business.
