The Power of Email Subject Lines: How to Make Your Emails Stand Out
I have a confession to make: I judge every email solely based on its subject line. Yes, you heard that right. The subject line is the make-or-break factor that determines whether I click to open and read an email or just simply hit delete.
As a marketing writer, I have a keen eye for catchy subject lines that pique my interest. According to our 2024 State of Marketing Report, it’s no surprise that 62% of email marketing teams spend at least two weeks crafting the perfect email. With over 347 billion emails sent daily worldwide, the subject line is your one shot to shine in a crowded inbox.
What Makes a Good Email Subject Line?
Your email subject line serves as the gateway to your content, enticing subscribers to open and engage with your emails. Here are some essential elements of a good subject line:
1. Urgency
Creating a sense of urgency compels people to take action. Words like “urgent” or “breaking” in your subject line communicate a time-sensitive offer or event, driving recipients to open your email.
2. Curiosity
Piquing curiosity with enigmatic subject lines can increase open rates. Make sure the subject line aligns with your brand and sparks interest to entice recipients to learn more by opening the email.
3. Offers
Everyone loves a good deal. Mentioning offers or discounts in your subject line can attract attention and drive engagement by promising value to your subscribers.
Email Subject Line Best Practices
Now that we’ve covered what makes a good subject line, let’s dive into some best practices to help you craft compelling email subject lines:
- Learn from successful examples
- Get to the point
- Use a familiar sender name
- Avoid the ‘no-reply’ sender name
- Use personalization tokens
- Segment your lists
- Use AI to get personal
- Avoid false promises