17 Subject Line Formulas According to recent studies, 47% of consumers make their decision about whether or not to open emails from business or nonprofits based on the content of the subject line. Source: EmailStatsCenter.com Here are Seventeen Tested Email Subject Lines That Get Opened And Read! 1. Pattern Interrupt Our brains are wired to discard the familiar. It's the unexpected that gets our attention and snaps us out of our routine behavior. Admitting flaws isn't something we see companies (or people) do everyday, right? Email Subject Line: I screwed up (and how you can benefit) 2. Lists of Three People love lists. This method is especially successful when the third item is overly specific or doesn't fit. One of your follow-up content emails could cover 3 points or 3 topics. Email Subject Line: Jesus, Moses and the Burglar
3. Shock and Awe Sometimes it makes sense to hit readers over the head with something that is just plain SHOCKING. Be careful not to mislead people, but you could write a ridiculous subject line to get people to open your email... (as long as you explain "Why" within the first sentence in the body of the email.) Email Subject Line: Pilot Takes Incredible Selfie While Firing A Missile 4. Rhymes Rhymes can become embedded in our minds like a jingle from a TV commercial. You're a Social Media Marketing Agency who works exclusively with musicians. Email Subject Line: Brands, Bands and Fans 5. Us vs. Them You may be able to bond with your subscribers by identifying a common enemy. Let's say you sell a digital course that teaches young kids how to play guitar like a rockstar. Email Subject Line: What Your Local Guitar Teacher Doesn't Want You To Know
6. Insult Someone When all else fails tell 'em what you really think. Your product is a 6 part DVD set that shows golfers (i.e. weekend hackers) how to improve their game. Email Subject Line: Your Golf Instructor is a Hack! 7. Lead With a Number When you offer your reader a specific number of things, they know they're getting an easily digestible set of tips or tricks that's easy to scan and consume. Your product is a downloadable "Responsibility Chart" that helps parents reward kids for doing chores. Email Subject Line: 3 Ways to Get Your Kids Excited About Chores 8. Play On Words Sometimes coming up with a good pun for your brand can help in your email marketing. Carl came up with a very creative name for his glass company; "Carl's Pane In The Glass" Email Subject Line: Pane In Your Glass (Special Offer)
9. Pop Culture References If you know your audience well, you might be able to slip in a quick pop culture reference. Let's say you're in the business of selling digital blueprints on how to build a back yard tree house... Email Subject Line: "Miley Proof" Tree House Plans 10. Metaphors and Similes Simile is defined as a phrase that uses the words like or as to describe something by comparing it with something else that is similar. "I'm happier than a tornado in a trailer park!" - Mater, Cars Email Subject Line: Why I'm happier than a tornado in a trailer park! 11. Target an Audience If your message is geared toward a segment of your list, then go ahead and call them out directly. Email Subject Line: For Women's Eyes Only
12. Sex Sells You should be careful using sexual references, but if your audience can handle it, go for it. Email Subject Line: Sex, Lies and Cookies: Web Privacy EXPOSED! 13. Make a Big Promise If you can back up a big promise, then by all means go for it! Email Subject Line: Cure Cancer With This Common Household Item 14. Get Personal The sweetest sound in the human language is one's own name. Email Subject Line: {firstname}!
15. Use Curiosity When used correctly, curiosity catches the attention of your reader and forces them to open your emails. You're a Marriage Counselor who publishes a weekly newsletter. Email Subject Line: 3 Guaranteed Ways To Save Your Marriage 16. Ask a Question Questions are great because people are hard-wired to solve the problem or dig deeper to find the answer. You are in the Health Insurance Industry. Email Subject Line: Confused About Obamacare? 17. Social Proof The principle of social proof states that people follow the lead of others and look to those around them for cues on how to behave; with friends giving the most powerful cues. Email Subject Line: Here's what Sally thinks of us