14 Tips To Write Creative Email Subject Lines To Boost Open Rate

As a content marketer, you have to be a pro at communicating with your potential customers through email. The channel can give you a handsome $36 for every $1 spent. 

However, no matter how good you are at crafting the body of the email, it is the email subject line that matters the most. A sloppy subject line can ruin the show, as the recipient won’t open the email. A low open rate can severely impact your campaign, which is the last thing you want. 

But all is not lost yet; we have curated a list of tips on writing creative email subject lines that boost email open rates and make your campaign successful. 

Why Is The Subject Line Of An Email So Important?

The subject line is more valuable than you think. That is because the subject line is the first thing recipients see. They look at the subject line before taking any further action. Therefore, it is your chance to grab their attention. It’s your chance to make an excellent first impression and convince the recipient to open your email. The idea is to be smart with your subject line, which is why it is an integral part of cold email copywriting. 

Tips To Write Effective Email Subject Lines

Here are a few carefully-picked tips from experts on how to write creative email subject lines. Take a look at each of them and start implementing them. 

1. Keep the length of your email subject lines right

Email subject lines are important because they are often the only thing a busy recipient will read before deciding whether or not to open an email. That means you must ensure your subject lines are clear, concise, and to the point. But how long should a subject line be?

The answer is – it depends. You generally should keep your subject lines under 60 characters, but this is not a hard and fast rule. Sometimes, you may need more than 60 characters to communicate your point. However, it is essential to remember that most people will read your subject line on a small screen, such as a smartphone. So a longer subject line will get cut off. Therefore, you must try sticking to the character count. 

2. Use personalization

By using personalization in your subject lines, you can stand out in the inbox and increase your open rates. Here are a few tips for using personalization to write creative email subject lines:

– Use the recipient’s first name: “Hey [First Name], thanks for being a loyal customer!”

– Use the recipient’s location: “Introducing our new [City] store!”

– Use the recipient’s interests: “Hey [First Name], we’ve got new arrivals that you’re going to love!”

Personalizing your email subject lines shows your recipients that you understand their needs and are catering to them exclusively. This can go a long way in building a relationship with your customers and keeping them loyal to your brand. That’s how to write a marketing email effectively.

3. Remove words that trigger spam filters

When it comes to email subject lines, there are a few words that are more likely to trigger spam filters than others. If you’re trying to prevent your email from getting marked as spam, it’s best to avoid words like “free,” “win,” “sale,” and “money.” Other words to avoid include “guarantee,” “promise,” and “trial.” If you use any of these words in your subject line, there’s a good chance your email will end up in the recipient’s spam folder. So what should you use instead? 

Try to focus on words relevant to the email’s content that will appeal to the recipient. For example, if you’re sending an email about a sale, you could use the word “discount” in the subject line. Or, if you’re sending an email about a new product, you could use the word “launch.” Just make sure to avoid any words that might trigger a spam filter.

Find more copywriting examples.

4. Don’t make false promises

A catchy email subject line is essential for getting people to open your email. But what’s even more critical is ensuring that your email’s content lives up to the promise of the subject line. If your subject line promises something that the email doesn’t deliver, you will have a disappointed reader on your hands. 

So, ensure that your subject lines are accurate and honest and reflect the content of your email. That way, you can be sure that people will always be happy to see your name in their inbox. You see, honesty always wins! 

5. Ask open-ended questions

Asking questions in your email subject line is a great copywriting tip to engage your readers and get them to open your email. 

However, there are a few things you need to keep in mind if you want to make the most of this technique. 

First, it’s essential to make sure that your questions are open-ended. This means that you can’t answer them with a simple yes or no. 

Second, your questions should be relevant to your reader and to the content of your email. 

Finally, keeping your questions short and to the point is a good idea. If you can do all that, you’re sure to see an increase in the number of people who open and read your emails.

6. Include a deadline

If you want your email to be read and acted upon quickly, include a deadline in the subject line. This will let the recipient know they must respond by a specific date and time. 

For example, if you’re sending an email about a project due in two weeks, you could include the subject line “Project deadline: two weeks from today.” This will help the recipient prioritize their response. 

This tactic works well for sales email subject lines where you can mention a time-limited deal to get the recipient to take quick action. So, get ready for crafting creative subject lines for sales emails.

7. Share something valuable

Make sure that your subject line mentions that there’s something valuable inside. Doing so will make recipients want to open the email. 

For example, you could include a discount code, a free shipping offer, or a special sale. You could also include something personal, like a message from the CEO, or something newsworthy, like an announcement about a new product. 

Whatever you choose, make sure it’s something your recipients will find valuable and worth opening. 

8. Include action-oriented words

One simple way to make your email subject lines more effective is to include action-oriented words. Action-oriented words can also help to create a sense of urgency, encouraging the recipient to open and read the email sooner. Using words like “buy,” “download,” “sign up,” etc. in your subject line can help to increase the open rate and click-through rate of your emails, as they make it clear what the reader needs to do. Of course, you should only use action-oriented words if they are relevant to the content of your email. Otherwise, you risk coming across as spammy. So, use action-oriented words with caution. 

9. Create a sense of urgency

No matter what type of copywriting you’re into, adding a deadline to the subject is helpful. Similarly, creating a sense of urgency will work in your favor and help you come up with the most creative email subject lines. Here’s what you can do:

• Use strong verbs that create a sense of urgency, such as “act now,” “limited time only,” or “while supplies last.”

• Make what’s in it clear for the reader, such as “save 50% off your next purchase.”

• Something like “only 3 spots left!” will also work.

10. Use numbers

It’s no secret that numbers can be persuasive in copywriting. It’s no secret that numbers can be persuasive. Just think about the times you’ve been intrigued by a headline that included a number (e.g., “5 Tips for a Successful Job Interview”). Numbers can also be effective in email subject lines, as they can help to convey the value of your message and encourage recipients to open your email. Of course, there’s a fine line between using numbers effectively and coming across as spammy, so it’s essential to use them sparingly and only when they make sense. 

11. Use emojis

Emojis are a great way to add personality to your email subject lines. They can help you stand out in a crowded inbox and make your message more memorable. 

But before you start using emojis in your subject lines, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. 

First, not all emojis are appropriate for all audiences. Make sure you know your audience and use emojis that resonate with them.

Second, don’t go overboard with the emojis. A few well-placed emojis can be effective, but too many can be annoying. 

Finally, test your subject lines with emojis to ensure they display correctly across all email platforms. With these tips in mind, you can start using emojis in your subject lines and see how they impact your open rates.

12. Add Humor

Adding humor to your email subject line can be a great way to stand out in a crowded inbox. But you have to ensure that your humor is appropriate for your audience and brand. If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few ideas for email subject lines that work,

– Use puns: Puns are a great way to add a bit of humor to your subject line without being too over-the-top. Just make sure that your puns are actually punny!

– Be topical: If there’s a holiday or current event you can make humorous, go for it! Just make sure that your joke is not offensive.

– Keep it short: A short, snappy subject line is more likely to make people laugh than a long, drawn-out one.

When adding humor to your subject line, it’s essential to use your judgment. When in doubt, avoid cracking the joke. 

13. Don’t overuse punctuation

When it comes to creative email subject lines, less is often more. That means you should avoid overusing punctuation, as it can make your subject line seem cluttered and difficult to read. Stick to one or two simple punctuation marks, and use them sparingly. 

For example, you might use an exclamation point to emphasize something of value or a question mark to indicate that you need a response. But using multiple exclamation points or question marks is generally unnecessary and can put your reader off. So, when it comes to punctuating your subject lines, less is definitely more.

Take note of these copywriting secrets.

14. A/B test your subject lines

If you’re looking to improve your email open rates, one of the best things you can do is A/B test your subject lines. This involves sending out two different versions of an email with slightly different subject lines, and then measuring which one performs better.

To do this, you’ll need to track your open rates and click-through rates for each email. You can also use tools like Google Analytics to see how long people are on your website after clicking through from your email. Once you have your data, it’s time to analyze it and see which subject line performed better. From there, you can start using that subject line for all of your future emails. A/B testing is a simple but effective way to optimize your email marketing, so make sure you try it.

Check out this post to improve your copywriting skills.

Start Crafting Creative Email Subject Lines!

It’s time to wrap up this post on creative subject lines for emails, but not without a quick recap! We saw how we could improve the results of an email campaign by being extra careful with the subject line. We have seen everything from ensuring the right length, being honest about what’s inside, using action-oriented words to using numbers, emojis, and humor. They may look insignificant when you see them individually, but when together, these tips can get you results you can’t imagine.

We hope you got a clear idea of using copywriting in email subject lines. 

You can thank us when you see your future email campaigns succeed due to good email subject lines!

Before you leave check out this copywriting guide.

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