The Art of Writing Email Subject Lines

Author: John Murphy

As the internet continues to dominate our daily lives, email remains one of the most effective communication channels for businesses. However, with the average person receiving over 120 emails per day, it's essential to have a strategy for crafting compelling email subject lines that stand out in the inbox. In this article, we'll share some tips for writing subject lines that capture your reader's attention and improve your email open rates.

1. Keep It Short and Sweet

One of the most critical aspects of a successful email subject line is brevity. According to a study by Retention Science, subject lines with fewer than ten characters had an open rate of 58%. That's an astonishingly high rate when you consider that the average open rate for emails across all industries is only 21.33%. However, it's important to note that short subject lines can be challenging to craft, so don't sacrifice clarity for brevity.

2. Personalize It

Personalization is the key to unlocking higher open rates in email marketing. By addressing your recipient by name or using a personalized message, you can create a connection with them and make them feel valued. According to a study by Experian, personalized subject lines had a 29% higher open rate than those that weren't personalized.

3. Use Action-Oriented Language

Another effective strategy for writing email subject lines is to use action-oriented language. By using verbs and strong action words, you can create a sense of urgency and encourage your reader to take action. For example, instead of using a passive subject line like "New Product Announcement," try something like "Don't Miss Out on Our Exciting New Product Release!"

4. Be Descriptive

While brevity is crucial, it's equally important to be descriptive in your subject lines. By providing a clear description of what's inside the email, you can set expectations for the reader and increase the chances of them opening it. For example, instead of using a vague subject line like "Weekly Newsletter," try something like "Your Weekly Roundup of Industry News and Insights."

5. Create a Sense of Urgency

Creating a sense of urgency is another effective way to get your email opened. By using phrases like "Limited Time Offer" or "Last Chance," you can create a sense of urgency and encourage your reader to act quickly. However, it's important to be genuine and not use false scarcity tactics, as this can damage your brand's reputation.

6. Test, Test, Test

Finally, it's essential to test your email subject lines to see what works best for your audience. By experimenting with different strategies and analyzing the results, you can refine your approach and improve your open rates over time. Some email marketing platforms, such as Mailchimp and Constant Contact, offer A/B testing tools that allow you to test different subject lines with a subset of your audience.

In conclusion, writing effective email subject lines is essential for improving your email open rates and maximizing the impact of your email marketing campaigns. By keeping your subject lines short and sweet, personalizing them, using action-oriented language, being descriptive, creating a sense of urgency, and testing your approach, you can craft subject lines that stand out in the inbox and get your emails opened.