6 Email Subject Line Ideas That Grab Attention

You have approximately one second before your email receipt decides to delete you forever or mark you as junk.

Your goal with your subject line is to have your reader open the email. You want to make sure that your subject line is a big enough attention grabber, informative all while being short and to the point.

Here are 6 subject lines to consider before you send your next marketing email:

    1. Make them relate: Create a subject line that is relatable to what is going on right now. Keep in mind of the seasons, holidays and other big events. “Ready for Summer Vacation?” or “Spend that Tax Refund”.

    2. Urgency: No one likes to be rushed and when someone tells you, you better hurry, you instinctively want to hurry. Give your readers a sense of urgency by creating a subject line like this “Only 24 hours!” or “Last chance to see it”

    3. What’s in it for them: First thing we as humans want to know before we purchase something is, how it will benefit for me. So depending on the product or business create a subject line that tells your reader how it can help them, “Clear skin is near” or “You have money saving options”.

    4. Shorter the better: Make it short and sweet. These work more than you realize. Readers are enticed by the lack of information that they want more. Try “Read me” Or “Discounted Prices.”

    5. Must Have It: We want what we can’t have. State that they must have something or else. “This season’s must have handbag” or “Don’t be the last to find out”.

    6. Laughable: Who doesn’t love a good pun? Take a look at your business and product and think of a fun way to play with the words. If you have a pet grooming business, “Prefect Prices” or a plumbing business, “Seal your crack”.

Whatever you do and whatever path you choose in your subject line reaction, make it unforgettable and enjoyable. Keep it short and informative and you are sure to stay out of the trash bin. Now hit send and watch your responses.

Image Credit: Alshepmcr

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11 comments

Alfie April 18, 2012 - 9:51 pm
I simply put as subject my name in the email =) that way the mail gets as much or as little attention as Im myself worth =) to each theri own though
Kraman @ EtchADeal April 18, 2012 - 10:49 pm
Hmm, I'm not sure I agree with your suggestions for email headlines. All of the examples you present seem like "spam" messages that give the idea that the email is going to make a sales pitch. Instead, I would suggest that you make the subject sound personal. This is much easier to say than to do, but making it sound as if the email came from a friend or colleague will give you a much higher probability of being opened . Just my 2 cents :)
Nanvy @ CRM Software Solutions April 19, 2012 - 5:24 am
It will be much beneficial if these ideas are put in action in order to grab attention in Email Marketing.
Jasmine April 19, 2012 - 5:29 am
For sure, these are great tips for my next email subject lines! Sledge hammer, eh?!
Becca April 19, 2012 - 7:24 pm
Thanks for the good tips provided here! I agree that we have to have an action plan in place before making the offer and we should be sure about it…
Aasma April 20, 2012 - 2:45 am
All are essential points, but I feel 3rd point is most important.... as to tell your subscribers what they're going to receive certainly increase the percentage of opening the email.
Business Insurance Las Vegas April 20, 2012 - 11:37 am
"Shorter the better" true but not good when it is too short with one or two words. For example, the email will go to spam straight if the subject is "Open it"... And yes, subject line must include the information about the incentive one can get after opening the mail. Thanks for sharing these helpful tips!!
executives gifts April 21, 2012 - 4:50 am
Email subject lines have one main job—to get your email opened. You have two seconds to grab your reader’s attention. That’s a lot of pressure. So avoid these avoidable mistakes. Writing subject lines is mostly art, but there’s some science to it as well. If you steer clear of these subject line sins, there’s a world of opportunity available to you.
executives gifts April 21, 2012 - 4:58 am
At 50 characters, most email programs cut off the subject line preview in the inbox. Subject line real estate is extremely valuable, so go shorter when possible. Your readers will thank you, especially mobile readers. You are absolved of this sin if…you have a highly targeted audience. MailChimp analyzed millions of headlines and found that these audiences appreciate the extra detail you can put in a longer subject line.
Peter April 26, 2012 - 10:56 am
Oh how I hate email marketing! I have noted down your suggestions and will try and incorporate them into my next email... one day I will look back at this moment and be all like THANKS A MILLION :)
Nick Stamoulis April 30, 2012 - 9:23 am
It's important to craft a great subject line if you want the email to be opened. The most important thing is that the subject line is an accurate representation of what's in the email. If a recipient feels like they were tricked into opening the email they will be angry.
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