The average computer user receives an average of 88 email messages each day. Most people just scan the list, deleting all messages that don’t pique their interest.
According to Hubspot, one-third of all email recipients decide whether to open an email message based solely on the subject line.
That means that if your email subject line isn’t capturing your recipient’s interest, they may never read all of the great prose that’s loaded in the body of your email marketing message.
That’s why learning to write sensational email subject lines is essential to an effective email marketing campaign. Here are five tips to get recipients to open, click, and read more.
1. Be Concise
Since your readers are scanning a list, you don’t want to make your subject line too long. Anything longer than 50 characters won’t show up on the email list.
Instead of including everything you want to say in the subject line, write a short, teaser line that recipients will be able to read in its entirety on their list of emails.
2. Make It Urgent
Giving your readers a reason to open your email message can help it be opened sooner, rather than languishing in the list for days or months. Subject lines with phrases like “today only” and “three-day offer” encourage recipients to open your message quickly.
3. Personalize It
Personalization has been shown to increase email open rates. Plus, adding the person’s name to your subject line helps differentiate it from the sea of other emails vying for your potential customer’s attention.
Most email marketing platforms offer a function where you can insert a name in the subject line without having to type the subject line manually.
4. Keep Your Audience (And Goal) In Mind
Are you aiming your email campaign at a young audience or an older crowd? The same words won’t necessarily grab the attention of both groups. Make sure to use phrases that fit with your target audience.
Equally, you want to write your subject line about your intended response. Do you want to sell something, have your reader sign up for a newsletter, or entice them to visit your event? Make sure you include this in your subject line.
5. Don’t Be Too Clever
A witty subject line may be fun, but it can leave your recipient wondering what your email is really about. For better open rates, always opt for clear over clever.
Takeaways
Mastering the art of writing effective email subject lines takes a little time and practice.
However, by keeping your message concise and clear, personalizing your message, and keeping your audience in mind while you write, you can help your email marketing message reach more potential customers/readers with the same amount of effort.
Sandy M has been a full-time freelance writer since 2005. Her work has appeared in dozens of print and Web publications, including About.com, Mahogany Magazine, Huffington Post, and USAToday.com. She is also the author of two books about Cleveland history and is researching a third book.
