Content
- What is a subject line
- Why the subject line is important
- Tips for writing a subject line
- Examples of effective subject lines
What is a subject line
The subject line is the title of an email message that users see in their inbox immediately after the sender's name. It creates the first impression, announces the content, and motivates action. The subject line plays a key role in whether the recipient will open your message or send it to the trash. The main task of the subject line is to grab the reader's attention and encourage them to open the email immediately. To achieve this, companies use various formats: rhetorical questions, funny phrases, promotions and discounts announcements, as well as emojis.
Why the subject line is important
Including a subject line in an email newsletter helps achieve higher results:
- Increased open rates: The subject line affects the open rate, and according to studies, 35% of recipients make their decision to open an email based solely on the subject line.
- Improved deliverability: Spam filters check the subject line. If the title does not match the content or is overloaded with graphic elements, the message may end up in the spam folder.
- Increased effectiveness of email campaigns: The subject line is the tip of the "sales funnel," which helps sell the text of the newsletter and motivates users to take further actions.
Moreover, an informative subject line shows that the sender cares about their subscribers and helps them quickly find the messages they need among a multitude of other emails. A well-thought-out title helps recipients decide how important and urgent it is to open the email.
Tips for writing a subject line
To create an effective subject line, it is important to consider how readers perceive titles. Typically, they read the title out of the context of the entire email. Here are some recommendations:
- Personalize the title: Use the recipient's name or other personal data to show that the email is addressed specifically to them.
- Create a sense of urgency: Use scarcity factors to motivate the reader to open the email immediately.
- Ask questions: Engage the audience by asking questions that interest the subscribers.
- Ensure relevance: Make sure the title matches the content of the email to avoid misunderstandings.
- Use emojis: They can grab attention, but do not overload the title with smileys.
- Avoid stop words: Some words can negatively impact perception and delivery of the email.
- Do not make the subject too long: The optimal length for a title is up to 60 characters for desktops and up to 30-40 for mobile devices.
- Supplement the subject with a preheader: Use a preheader to clarify the content of the email and attract attention.
Examples of effective subject lines
Creating a good subject line may take time, but there are proven formulas that can help. Here are some examples:
- Fear of missing out: "Last chance: a lot of candies with a 15% discount!"
- Humor: "He who is quick gets the discount!"
- Benefit for the customer: "Learn a language in just 5 minutes a day!"
- Curiosity: "What 1320 therapists hear from patients?"
The subject line is an important element of an email newsletter that determines whether your message will be opened. Use the examples and recommendations as inspiration, but remember that real effectiveness can only be tested through A/B testing.