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17 Tips For Email Subject Lines That Grab Attention

Written by: Karen Scharf

Article Overview: Just like a headline for an advertisement, your subject line's only job is to get the email message opened. But how can you possibly stand out from the crowd in that jam-packed inbox?

17 Tips For Email Subject Lines That Grab Attention

When your reader opens his email inbox, the first thing he'll notice is long list of subject lines. Just like a headline for an advertisement, your subject line's only job is to get the email message opened. But how can you possibly stand out from the crowd in that jam-packed inbox? Try a few of these tips:

1. If you wouldn't pay attention to it, why expect anyone else to?

2. Stay away from "cliche" subject lines that result in a big yawn.

3. Find the "beating heart" of your subject and use it to create an effective subject line.

4. Avoid "shock value" subject lines. What may shock one person may be humorous to another or offensive to yet another.

5. Remind yourself that any effective subject line must first be unique.

6. Effective subject lines are like a tantalizing appetizer at an upscale restaurant - you can't wait for the main course.

7. Use the most powerful words without exaggeration.

8. Effective subject lines work best when they have clear, concise meaning.

9. Effective subject lines include pertinent lead-in information.

10. Effective subject lines create an impression of what the rest of the email content will be.

11. Effective subject lines make a statement of personal intent, style and introduction.

12. Write effective subject lines with positive potential.

13. Don't "play bait and switch" in subject lines--readers are intelligent enough to see through this ploy.

14. Read the subject line as if you received it. Is it grammatically correct? Is it interesting?

15. Send yourself or a friend an email with the same effective subject line. Constructive criticism is always a writer's best friend.

16. Mention the most important benefit the reader will get if he opens your email message.

17. Incorporate current events or fresh news whenever possible so the reader is convinced he must open it now.

In typical cases, the most effective subject lines are those which offer the reader a unique selling proposal. Be specific as possible, don't let the reader even guess that he might be wasting his time by opening your message.

The most important question to ask yourself before you hit the send button is, "Will this subject line compel my readers to open this message?" Obviously, the better you know your readers, the easier it will be to answer that question. But, since email can often be an impersonal form of marketing, using the above criteria is the next best thing.

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Article Tags: business marketing, email campaign, email marketing



Related Forum Posts
Business Tips - How about: Tips for managers to handle employees more effectively? Tips on how to deal with difficult customers? Tips on how to deal more effectively with suppliers? The only three I have in mind right now, but will try to come up with something else. Chris
Creating unique forum post titles - Hi Evan, As one of the people who spends the most time in these forums, I don't really think it's a sustainable idea to ask users to create unique "Subject Titles" for every post. Even forum loyalists (including myself) are bound to forget on occasion, while the average user won't even care. Instead, would there be a way to leave the "Subject Titles" blank and only allow posts with manually created titles to be submitted? Most people would be too lazy to copy the original title and would therefore be forced to think of a new one (which would likely be unique).
Subject line Etiquette - Another email rant: Is there some place on the internet that outlines proper "Subject line" headings? There mus be a system out there that people use to be more efficient email senders. Not everything that comes into my mail box requires my immediate attention. I would love to educate myself and the people who send me emails on proper subject lines. Maybe something like: "Urgent Review: <<Title of document>>" "Decision Required: "<<Subject matter>>" just something for me to quickly scan the subject lines and decide which ones need my immediate attention. Anyone know of such email standards that exist out there?
Web magazine publisher - My duties 1) Research the articles that goes into each of my webzines - science fiction in all media, various sports (Yay, Lady Vols, 8th championship in 2008, by the way!) 2) Write the articles 3) Format and upload them to the web 4) Email and network various contacts to get out the word that new articles are available. 5) Email authors, actors, etc. etc. to see if they want to do interviews. 6) Advertise for more contributors - and then edit and upload their material!
Re: Attention Age Doctrine - Hi Andy, So how did you find of "The Attention Age Doctrine" Part 1? And has following its guidelines yielded any positive results yet?


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