The Ultimate Guide to Subject Lines Because Your Email Open Rates Depend on It Or Do They

Keep it Short and Sweet (But Not Too Sweet)

Because who doesn’t love a good brevity lesson? Keep your subject line concise, folks! Aim for that sweet spot between too short and too long. Not too short, or it’ll be like trying to convey a novel in a tweet. Not too long, or it’ll be like reading a novel just to figure out what the email is about.
Just… just right. You know, like Goldilocks.

Some “experts” say under . Others claim up to 70 is fine. Who to believe?
The answer, much like the perfect subject line length, remains a mystery.

Just pick a number, any number!

Make it Personal (But Not Creepy)

Ah, the delicate art of being personal without being too personal. You want to address the recipient by name, but not like you’re stalking them. “Hey, John, I know it’s been 5 years since you last logged in, but I still remember your favorite color“? No, no, no. That’s just not okay.

Use their name, but don’t overdo it. A simple “Hi, [Name]” will do. Unless you’re a marketing wizard, in which case, go ahead and get creative… but not too creative. You don’t want to end up on the “report as spam” list.

Just the right amount of personal touch can make your email feel like a warm hug or a restraining order. So, tread carefully!

Use Humor (But Not Sarcasm)

Humor is a great way to get people to open your email… unless they’re having a bad day. Then, your witty remark will just come across as insensitive. But hey, if you’re lucky, they’ll laugh and open your email.

To avoid being that guy, keep your humor light and inoffensive. Think cutesy cat pictures or dad jokes. Avoid sarcasm like the plague, unless you’re sure your recipient has a great sense of humor. And by great, we mean they won’t report you as spam.

When in doubt, test your humor on a small group first. If they laugh, you’re golden! If they confused, well… you might need to rethink your strategy.

The Don’ts: Subject Line Mistakes to Avoid (Or Not)

So, you’ve decided to craft the perfect subject line. Congratulations! You’re about to make some rookie mistakes that will inevitably get you into trouble. Or not. Who knows? The world of email marketing is full of mysteries.

Here, we’ll explore the cardinal sins of subject line writing, because you want to avoid being that spammer. Not that it matters, really. Your email will probably still get lost in the void of cyberspace.

• Maybe you’ll trigger the spam filter. Who cares, right?
• Perhaps you’ll be too vague. Oh well, it’s not like anyone reads emails anyway.
• Or, you might just use a boring subject line. Yawn.

But hey, what’s the worst that could happen? Your email open rates might plummet. Or they might not. It’s a crappy shoot, really.

Avoid Spam Triggers (But It’s Not Like It Matters)

Oh, the thrill of trying to avoid those pesky spam triggers! It’s like playing a game of email roulette. You never know when your carefully crafted subject line will get flagged as junk.

Some say it’s all about avoiding trigger words like “Free” or “Win”. Others claim it’s about not being too sales-y. But let’s be real, it’s all just a guessing game.

• Don’t use all caps. That’s just shouting.
• Avoid excessive punctuation!!! It’s just too much.
• Steer clear of suspicious links. Or not. Who knows?

But hey, even if you follow all the rules, your email might still end up in the spam folder. So, what’s the point, really?

Just kidding, it’s still worth a try, right?

Don’t Be Vague (But Being Vague Can Be Effective)

The great vagueness paradox! On one hand, being too vague can make your subject line a total snooze-fest. On the other hand, a well-crafted vague subject line can be intriguing and make people curious.

So, should you be specific or cryptic? The answer is… who knows?

Examples of vague subject lines that might just work:

• “You won’t believe what happened…”
• “The answer is inside…”
• “Something you need to see…”

Or, you know, you could just be clear and direct. Your call. The mystery is yours to solve.

But hey, being vague can be fun!

Steer Clear of Overused Phrases (But They’re So Tempting)

Oh, the clichés we love to hate! Phrases like “Limited Time Offer” or “Exclusive Deal” are so overused, they’re practically obsolete.

Yet, they’re still tempting to use, aren’t they? After all, who doesn’t love a good sales pitch?

Examples of overused phrases to avoid (or not):

• “Don’t miss out!”
• “Hurry, sale ends soon!”
• “Your exclusive offer is here!”

Try to be original, or at least, pretend to be. Your subscribers will appreciate the effort (or not).

Resist the temptation, or give in – we won’t judge.

Subject Line Examples: Because You Need Inspiration (Or Not)

Ah, the eternal quest for inspiration! You’re stuck, and your subject lines are as dull as a butter knife. Fear not, dear writer, for we’ve got some examples to steal borrow from.

Here are a few examples to get you started:

• “The mystery sale is on”
• “Your personalized offer is inside”
• “The truth about our product”

Feel free to copy, paste, and modify to your heart’s content. Or, you know, just use them as is – we won’t tell. Your subscribers might just appreciate the creativity (or not).

Now, go forth and craft those subject lines like a pro (or not).

The elusive dream of optimal subject lines! You’re convinced that with the right tweaks, you’ll be guaranteed success. Spoiler alert: it’s not that simple.

Some claim that A/B testing is the key, while others swear by personalization or segmentation. But let’s be real, it’s all just a crappy shot in the dark.

Still, if you insist on trying, consider tweaking your subject lines with:

• Dynamic content
• Timing adjustments
• Mystery and intrigue

May the odds be ever in your favor. Or not. We’ll just be over here, wistfully gazing at our email open rates.