The thing about an email subject line, is well, you absolutely have to get it right! The email subject line is your introduction, and you’ve got but a few seconds or you’ll be deleted.

In those briefest of moments, you need to be able to convey enough intrigue and interest for them to open the email, which is the sole purpose of your email subject line. Nothing else matters if they don’t open the email.

So let’s take a look at 7 ways that, taken together, will help you write a great email subject line and bring you a far better open rate than you currently enjoy, guaranteed!

 #1: Be provocative

Using controversy or a shocking email subject line is a surefire way to grab attention and more opens. Just be sure to cleverly work in the subject into the body of the email, lest people feel cheated and deceived. Keep it light, don’t be rude or use strong language and you shouldn’t have any problems with this.

#2: Use current events or news

One of the more powerful strategies you can use, is to employ current events or celebrities in the news to pique the curiosity factor. Be careful however, not to tread on tragedy. If you attempt to make light or are in any way sensed to be profiteering on the misfortunes of others, you may as well find a new profession.

#3: Tempt them with an offer or bonus

Everyone loves a deal or a gift. You might want to place this information near the start of the email subject line, such as “Free Access to my new product today only!” Make them very specific, make it simple and don’t create any unnecessary hoops they need to jump through.

#4: Questions that just beg to be answered

Questions always necessitate an answer. People often feel compelled to open the email merely to see that answer to the provocative question that was posed in the email subject line. Ideally, this question will answer the question that may have been brewing in their mind about whether or not they really need a product or service like yours. “Have you gotten that content written? See how I did it…”  Also, combining questions with news or current events is a very power one-two punch!

#5: Stress benefits and high value

Everyone always needs to know what’s in it for them. By conveying attractive benefits in your email subject line, you will catch anyone remotely interested in them. Moreover, we are all very busy, and you need for them to understand that they NEED to open this email. They will be missing out if they do not!

#6: Watch the words you use and where you place them!

Make sure you place the words that are most important as near to the beginning of the email subject line as possible. You’ve got around 50 characters before you lose the rest of the subject line in the inbox, so use this wisely. You want to impart your most important points as early as you can, as these are the words that will catch their interest.

 #7: Stay very specific

The more specific you stay with your email subject line, the more likely you’ll get exactly what you wanted to say across, which should result in more openers. A generic email subject line that hints at what you want to tell them won’t get it done; you need to name specific, exact words that paint a very vivid word picture of what you’re talking about!

Email Subject Line Take Away..

Crafting an email subject line that get those legendary 55-70% open rates takes a bit more than merely slapping it up there. Think about what you’re trying to do, and take the time to use these techniques to help you get there. Chances are you’ll be very glad you did!

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Please get in touch or leave a comment below if you have any questions on how to craft a great email subject line.