Best Email Subject Lines to Boost the Open Rates

An email subject line is perhaps the most important line in any email you send. Why? Because if it’s not engaging enough, it will get tossed in the trash. 

Whether we like to admit it or not, people judge an email by the subject line. In fact, 47% of email recipients will decide if they’ll open an email based on the subject line alone. That’s why it’s so important to create email subject lines that make people want to open the message. 

Interested in better ways to get your emails opened and read? Here are seven subject line optimization tips to boost engagement. 

7 Tips for Writing Clickable Email Subject Lines

Say More with Less

Keep your email subject lines short and sweet so they don’t get cut off on mobile devices. Since 67% of emails are opened on a mobile device, stick to less than 50 characters to make sure people read the whole subject. Toss frivolous words and keep it simple. 

Use a Familiar Sender Name

If the sender name doesn’t sound familiar, people won’t read it no matter what the subject is. Thanks to the spam mail received these days, most people avoid opening emails from unfamiliar senders. Avoid using generic company emails and send email from a real person. 

Keep it Relevant

An email going to an entire list may be relevant to some but not for others. Segment your email lists based on information you’ve been able to collect from them such as industry, location, and personal preferences. Cater your email topics to those specific lists. 

Start with Action-oriented Verbs

Subject lines are like calls-to-action. You want the words to inspire people to click. Action verbs at the beginning of emails are often more enticing and clickable. As an email subject line tester, you might say, “Dine with soccer legend David Beckham,” rather than, “Soccer Sports Legend Meal.” The first example will definitely garner attention. 

Make the Reader Feel Special

When people feel like they belong, it builds loyalty and your emails convert better. Make recipients feel special. A few email subject line testers include:

• “Private invite”
• “You’re invited!”
• “An exclusive offer for you”

Create Urgency

Urgency or scarcity in an email subject line can compel readers to click or act when phrased creatively. Avoid using this tactic on all emails and limit them to when occasions really call for it to avoid sounding spammy. 

Ask a Compelling Question

A question in your subject line can draw readers in, especially if you’re asking a question they ask themselves. This is a creative way to pique curiosity. For example, a marketing company may send businesses an email titled, “Are you making these SEO mistakes?” or “Do you know what your website is doing wrong?”

DocuSign sent an email to their leads list with the subject, ‘What are your customers saying?” Inside, the email contained case studies designed to encourage the recipient to purchase their project. 

A great email subject line tester is to A/B test a couple subject line ideas and see which emails get opened. Then you’ll know what really resonates with your audience.

At Kahuna, Inc. we specialize in helping companies craft the perfect email subject lines to get the results you want and need. Contact us today to learn about our subject line optimization services.