How To Craft A Fantastic Email Subject Line
If you’re a digital marketing professional you probably write hundreds of emails. But how much thought do you put into the subject line?
An email subject line is like the cover of a book. It’s the first thing people see when they receive an email. This simple line of text is your chance to make a good first impression. How well you do it will
Whether people feel compelled to take immediate action, send your email to an archive or immediately trash it (gasp!) depends on what kind of impression you create.
Creating The Perfect Email Subject Line
In spite of all the cool new methods of marketing and communication available, email marketing is still pretty effective. That’s why it’s important to craft a subject line that’s worthy of your email marketing strategy.
One of the best ways to master this skill is by taking a digital marketing course on the topic. But for now, here are few helpful tips to keep in mind when crafting email subject lines.
- Keep It Short
When people open their email they usually skim the subject lines of unopened messages before they act on them. For a subject line to grab someone’s attention it needs to be short and to the point. Edit our any filler words and try to state your case in about six to eight words. That may seem a bit small but keep in mind that the average inbox displays about 60 characters of an email’s subject line, with mobile phones displaying a mere 25 to 30 characters.
- Pique Their Interest
Most people’s inboxes are filled with messages. So although they subscribe to your mailing list you still need to stand out from the crowd. This is because people aren’t always scouring their inboxes for your emails. Craft an eye catching subject line that makes people pause, and open your message.
- Avoid Getting Flagged As Spam
If a subject line sounds like a sales pitch it runs the risk of getting flagged as of getting filtered as spam. To ensure your emails don’t end up in the dreaded junk folder steer clear of promotional phrases. It’s also a good idea never to use all caps. And avoid the excessive use of exclamation points. These are silly mistakes that will definitely send your emails straight to spam.
- Add Some Urgency
When people save an email for later it usually never gets read. With that in mind, try to add a little urgency when writing a subject line. If a reader feels like there’s a good reason to open the mail now, they won’t save it for later. But make sure the subject line fits in with the contents of the email. You don’t want seem like click-bait. And you certainly don’t want to be dishonest just to get your email opened.
- Be Unique
A great subject line is only as good as the reaction it gets from your intended audience. With that in mind, create a subject line that is relevant to your digital audience. Tell the reader about what your brand has to offer in the most unique and engaging way possible. Think about what makes your brand special and mention that in the subject line.
- Use A Full Sentence
As a general rule you should never an incomplete sentence in the subject line. Sentences that only finish in the body of the email can cause the recipient to delete the message immediately. Always use a complete sentence in your subject line. It’s more professional and respectful of the recipient. Questionable methods of forcing people to open emails should be avoided.
- Use A Hook
It’s ok to be a little adventurous when crafting your subject line. Use a phrase that will hook your reader and leave them wanting more. Much like a movie trailer, a good subject line with a good premise can intrigue the reader to action and open your email on the spot.
