Crack the Email Open Rate Code

Tips to Create Compelling Email Subject Lines to Increase Your Open Rates + Examples!
Rebecca DeYarman
Email Marketing
January 2023

As emails flood our inboxes every day, the art of writing an effective email subject line plays a critical role in your open rate. With just a few simple words, you must capture the attention of your recipients and entice them to open your email.
 

A well-crafted subject line can significantly impact the success of your email marketing campaign. With statistics showing that nearly half of recipients choose to open or delete an email based on the subject line alone, writing powerful email subject lines can boost your open rates and increase the success of your email marketing campaigns.

 

07 Tips for Creating Exceptional Email Subject Lines


01. Keep it Short + Sweet

With the majority of emails being read on mobile devices, brevity is crucial. Imagine that you are quickly scrolling on your mobile device and see that a new email has arrived. If you are on-the-go, busy, or otherwise occupied it is incredibly easy to simply swipe delete on a new message that does not catch your eye. 

Aim for subject lines that are concise and impactful, typically between 40 to 60 characters. Short subject lines are more likely to be fully displayed on mobile screens, increasing the chances of catching your recipient's eye. Use action-oriented words or intriguing questions to generate curiosity and prompt engagement.

Example: Don't miss out! Limited-time offer inside.

02. Personalization + Segmentation

Addressing your subscribers by their name in the subject line creates a sense of familiarity and personal connection. Email marketing platforms allow you to include dynamic tags that automatically insert the recipient's name. However, it is critical that your email list is properly managed and that this tag is set up correctly! Nothing spurs a quick delete faster than a subject line reading “Hey [NAME].” 

Additionally, segmenting your email list based on demographics, interests, or past purchases enables you to tailor subject lines to specific groups, increasing relevance and engagement. This means that your audience can receive customized emails based on the product or service that they are most likely to be interested in.

Example: John, our gift to you: 20% off your favorite products.

03. Create a Sense of Urgency

People tend to respond more readily when they feel a sense of urgency or exclusivity. Incorporate time-limited offers, limited stock availability, or upcoming deadlines in your subject lines.

By emphasizing scarcity, you create a fear of missing out (FOMO) that compels recipients to open your email promptly.

Example: Don't delay: 24 hours left for summer savings!

04. Use Intriguing Questions

Posing a thought-provoking question in your subject line engages readers and stimulates their curiosity. Questions evoke a natural response, making recipients more inclined to open the email to find the answer.

Curiosity is a powerful force! Your question should be relevant to your content and can highlight a pain point that impacts your audience. 

Example: Are you making these common SEO mistakes?

05. Highlight Benefits + Solutions

Communicate the value your email provides by highlighting the benefits or solutions it offers. Clearly state what recipients will gain by opening the email. Vague or ambiguous subject lines may confuse recipients or give the impression that the email is irrelevant. Focus on addressing pain points, offering solutions, or sharing valuable insights to grab attention and demonstrate the relevance of your content.

Example: 5 Ways to Increase YourWebsite Traffic

06. A/B Testing

Performing A/B tests on different subject lines is a crucial step in optimizing your email marketing campaigns. Split your email list into segments and test different subject lines to identify which ones generate higher open rates. Make data-driven adjustments in the future by analyzing the results, then use what you’ve learned to refine your subject line strategy for future campaigns.

Example:
Segment A - Exclusive Sneak Peek: Unveiling Our New Collection
Segment B - Are you Ready for the Biggest Fashion Reveal of the Season?!

07. Avoid Spam Triggers

To ensure your emails reach recipients' inboxes, steer clear of common spam triggers. Words like "free," "urgent," or excessive use of emojis and exclamation marks may flag your email as spam. Avoid misleading subject lines that promise more than your email delivers, as this can damage your credibility and lead to reduced open rates.

Example: Act now!! Amazing opportunity to make $$$ fast!!!

Give it a Try + Watch Your Open Rate Grow!

Crafting effective email subject lines is crucial for achieving higher open rates and ultimately driving the success of your email marketing campaigns. By following these tips and utilizing the provided examples as inspiration, you can create subject lines that capture attention, spark curiosity, and entice recipients to open your emails.

Remember to keep them short, personalized, urgent, and focused on delivering value to your audience. With practice and data-driven optimization, you can master the art of email subject lines and achieve better engagement and results from your email marketing efforts.

Implementing a successful email marketing strategy can be challenging. Our team of experts at MatchPoint Partners can help you reach your ideal audience with professional, effective content for your niche. Don’t let your emails disappear into the dreaded spam folder, let’s partner together and win your email marketing game!

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