8 Subject Lines that get your emails opened!
Do you struggle to create a subject line for your email campaigns?
You have to engage the reader before they even see the body of your email with a GREAT subject line, so we've found 8 ideas for you to use when creating you next campaign.
1. The question subject line
Even if you don't realise it, when you're asked a question, you automatically start to create a response based on your own experiences. This creates an instinctual curiosity and therefore makes the reader want to know more, see the examples below.
Do you check your emails when you first wake up in the morning?
Are you a zombie without your morning coffee as well?
2. The 'How to' subject line
If the content is relevant, a 'How to' subject line will engage the reader to find out more. Take these 3 subject lines for example:
How to get better marketing results through beautiful design
How to get 1,000 new email subscribers in 1 day
The reader will know exactly what they're getting, this is where your targeting is crucial to ensure the recipient is getting content to based on their interests. Focus on the benefits, because everyone is always thinking WIIFM, Whats In It For Me?
If we can help you with your subject lines, your content or your whole digital campaign marketing efforts. Don't hesitate to contact us for any help!
3. The scarcity subject line
Playing on the fear of missing out, this is great for a well engaged database, wether its a property land release, tickets to a degustation dinner or a special sale, limited availability or time frames makes people act! Keep in mind it has to be relevant to your readers, you will lose those who don't need your product or service instantly, although those that do, you will have a good chance of converting.
Only 2 days left to get 50% off shoes
Hurry! Only 3 consultation spots left.
4. The announcement subject line
The reason that most people are on your database is because they want the latest information. By using words like “Introducing” and “New” in your subject line gives the reader a feeling that your email contains new, breaking information they haven't heard yet.
In a recent Campaign Monitor study on power words in subject lines, they found including words like 'Introducing' and 'New' increased the chance of the email being opened by 9.45% and 3.26% respectively.
Examples of this formula in action include:
Introducing a better way to send emails
Update to our iPhone App
See our new design gallery
5. The number subject line
This is probably one of my favourites at the moment, it gives a specific number of things that the reader can expect. This takes away any uncertainty of what they are opening.
A recent subject line with a number in front got a 57% increase in opens to that of one without
The key to success with this formula is carefully choosing the number you use. For easy / simple things, use lower numbers, For things that provide value such as whitepapers and resources, larger numbers work.
30 ways to build your email list
3 steps to sending beautiful email campaigns with Campaign Monitor
10 product announcement emails reviewed for conversion
6. The curiosity gap subject line
This is the gap between what we know and what we want to know, when we don't know something that we think we should, then this makes us feel discomfort and want to know more. Viral content sites like Buzzfeed have used this to great effect with all their headlines.
Give a little information though leave it open ended to peak your readers curiosity. Try a small curiosity gap in your next subject line such as:
Dave Richardson asks the most basic question ever, and stumps our smartest politicians
This little-known copywriting trick will increase your email click-through rate
9 out of 10 Australians are completely wrong about this simple fact
Can we can help you with your subject lines, your content or your whole digital campaign marketing efforts? Don't hesitate to contact us for any help!
7. The surprise subject line
Make it a little weird (if your database can take a joke). Surprise them with a little left of field humour to bring them out of their day to day routine. Whether its a twist on what they think they're reading or a sneaky pun, a positive response from your reader will increase the open rate.
Some examples include:
Warning: Unattended items in your shopping cart may be eaten by gnomes
What Elvis Presley can teach you about email marketing
8. The personalized subject line
By far one of the most simple, just by working your subscriber’s name into the subject line of your email adds a personal touch that is likely to catch your reader’s eye. Be sincere with these and visualise your recipient when you create your subject line, even though most people know that its a bulk email campaign, they subconsciously like it.
Just by using the recipient’s first name in the subject line you can increase the chance of the email being opened by 14.68%.
This can be combined with some of the other formulas for maximum impact. For example:
John, are you a zombie without your morning coffee as well?
Amy, 9 out of 10 Americans are completely wrong about this fact.
Paul, there's only 2 days left to get 50% off boots.
In Conclusion
This is one of the most important parts of you email, your subject line should reflect what's in the email, appeal to the individual via the content and create certainty or curiosity to engage with them further.
As always, we can help you with your subject lines, your content or your whole digital campaign marketing efforts. Don't hesitate to contact us for any help!
Original article by Campaign Monitor