If you want to improve your open rates, these fun email subject line hacks will help you get it done. Some of these tips you already know, some need to be used with caution, and others should almost always be included if you really want to improve your open rates.
1. Ask a Question
When you start a subject line with a question, it’s a simple way to get your audience’s attention that almost always works. Make sure the question has something to do with them and the message inside.
2. Add Emojis
You can put emojis and symbols like ellipses in your subject lines as well to draw attention to it more. It’s important that the words make sense and that it’s not all symbols. Keep the emoji or symbol relevant to the content. Use them to emphasize an idea or convey emotion.
3. Add Numbers
When you can quantify what’s inside in some way, that is going to get attention. People like reading lists and reading stats even if they say otherwise. Stats prove it. Use numbers and information in your subject lines to get more opens.
4. Use Capitals Properly
Title case doesn’t work for email messages because it looks so strange. If you use capitalization as you do in standard sentences that works best for email subject lines. Then if you choose to use caps to bring notice to a word, use it wisely.
In my inbox today, you can see all of the above in use. What stands out to you?
5. Keep it Short
Statistics show that using less than 50 characters and between six and ten words in each subject line is best in terms of opens. This helps you avoid awkward cutoffs that will stop your audience from clicking through.
6. Personalize the Subject Line
Think outside the box with personalization. Yes, you can use their name in the email subject line, such as, “Congratulations, Kara, you’re invited but act fast!” You can use your name too if it’s known to them. For example, “Kathy is going live right now, don’t miss it!”.
7. Show Urgency
You can also elicit the feeling of urgency in your email subject lines by using dates, stating you don’t want them to miss out, or other words that trigger the idea that they need to open and respond and act right now.
8. Include Them![email subject line include]()
When you include them in your inner circle by inviting them, thanking them, and including them, they’ll feel like a VIP and be more likely to respond to your emails and open them right away.
9. Use the Right “from” Name
If your name is well known, or anyone who works in your company is known to others, using their own name in the subject line along with branding @yourbusiness name is really better than a no-reply or generic-looking email such as info using yourname@yourbusiness will always be friendly and get opened more.
10. Align Your Subject Line with Your Copy
Don’t trick your readers by making your subject line incongruent with what’s inside. The gist of the message should exist within the subject line so that it makes sense once they open it.
That way, you train your audience to trust you by delivering on your promises of relevant messages and actions that serve them and their needs.
As always, test and track to see what works best with your audience and your niche.
If you need some email subject line ideas you can use and change to fit your niche, you can pick up our free report “101 Email Subject Lines“. It contains fill in the blank subject line ideas that you can use in any niche.
