Wouldn’t it be cool to know that people on your email subscriber list actually look forward to and want to read your emails? It’s definitely possible. Writing eye-catching email subject lines that make people actually WANT to open your email is not only doable, it’s pretty simple if you stick to these six key tips.
The whole point of the email subject line is to get people to just open the email.
My background is in magazine editorial, and just like the blurbs on the cover of a magazine, their whole point is to get people to just pick up the magazine. If they open the email, you’ve won. What happens from that point is a different subject.
So, here are six of my best tips for writing eye-catching email subject lines.
Make Your Email Subject Line Irresistible
Yeah, that’s a lot easier said than done. Wouldn’t it be great if all your email subject lines were irresistible? Here’s the point: make it harder for the person to NOT open the email than to open the email. Create a fear of loss.
This goes deeper than just writing an email subject line “This Week’s Newsletter” or “News Updates and Latest Posts.” Instead, get specific. What is the reader going to get out of the email? What specific problem are you solving or specific question are you answering? Focus on that, and let them know what value they will get from the email. Examples:
How to Defeat Late-Night Sugar Cravings
6 Free & Fast Low-Carb Recipes Inside
Keep Your Subject Lines Short
There are more distractions today than ever, so people don’t have time to sift through a bunch of long emails. Plus, people read their email subject lines from all different devices, allowing for a different amount of space.
Since you don’t know what device people will be using to read your email, keep the subject line short and sweet. Don’t put key words at the very end, because they might get cut off in the email preview.
Get to the point up front.
Use the Recipient’s First Name
If you’re using fields in your email marketing, you probably at least have a field for subscribers’ first name. Adding their first name in the email subject line is a lot more personable, and a HubSpot report titled “Science of Email 2014” found that emails with the name in the subject line have a higher open rate.
The cool thing is that it doesn’t really change what you want to say. Here are a few examples:
David, here’s your free weight loss guide.
Jill, missing this ONE thing cost me $10,000!
Frank, these are my best blog secrets.
Hey, Susan, still coming to the training?
You get the idea. Don’t overdo this, but test it out a few times to see what results you get
Don’t Spoil the Movie
If you saw an awesome movie with a terrific ending (maybe a cool, unexpected twist), you’d probably tell your friends and family about how great the movie is. But of course you wouldn’t spoil the awesome ending for them.
If you did that, you’d be a jerk. And you’re not a jerk!
Email subject lines are similar. Use the subject line to “advertise” and tease. It’s a hint of what’s inside. Create intrigue and curiosity. Don’t always tell them all the details.
The details are inside the email. To get those, they have to open it and read it. Remember, that’s the whole point of the email subject line—to get them to open the email.
Use Emoji in Your Email Subject Lines
Huh!? Emoji?
Yes, emoji. Most email marketing services incorporate them, including MailerLite.
According to a study by Experian, 56 percent of brands using an emoji in their email subject lines had a higher unique open rate.
Sure, they can get annoying, but if used the right way, they can make your email subject lines. Today, we go through and delete emails (most of which are already filtered) at lightning speed. Making yours stand out is key.
About half of all people check their emails on their phone, which is perfect for emojis. Some of popular emoji to try are the lightning bolt (flash sale), fire (hot, new), heart (connection, caring), sun (new, summer), and of course several face emotions.
WARNING: Some email services might show some emoji differently.
Create Scarcity and Urgency (NOW)!
One great way to get people wanting to open your email is to create a sense of urgency or scarcity.
FLASH SALE! 50% off ends tonight…
I mean it this time!
Just 12 Hours Left…
Sarah, last chance to enroll in the boot camp!
Jason, training starts in 3 hours. You coming?
Those are just a few examples that let people know they are about to miss something. Something is happening soon, and they need to take action.
A good way to do this is to create a deadline or tell them what they need to do. Use an action verb. “Open this for your 25% off coupon.”
David Lee
Call Me: 469.207.1595
Email Me: DreamAgain@verizon.net
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