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Your email subject line is the first impression your audience gets. If it doesn’t grab their attention, your email won’t get opened no matter how great your content is.
With inboxes overflowing with promotional emails, standing out is crucial. The right subject line can dramatically increase your open rates, boost engagement, and improve conversions.
But how do you craft subject lines that make people want to click?
In this guide, we’ll explore the psychology behind effective subject lines and provide actionable tips to help you create subject lines that get opened.
Why Are Subject Lines So Important?
A great subject line can:
- Increase email open rates more people read your message.
- Improve deliverability — fewer emails marked as spam.
- Boost conversions — higher chances of sales, signups, or responses.
A weak or boring subject line, however, means your email gets ignored, deleted, or worse,marked as spam.
10 Proven Strategies to Write Click Worthy Subject Lines
1. Keep It Short and Clear
Most people check emails on mobile devices, where longer subject lines get cut off. Aim for 6-10 words or 40-50 characters to ensure it’s readable.
Examples:
- “Exclusive Deal: 50% Off Today Only”
- “Your Free Guide Is Waiting”
- “Big News! You’ll Love This Update.”
Pro Tip: Test different lengths to see what works best for your audience.
2. Use Personalization
People are more likely to open emails that feel personal. Use their first name or reference past behavior.
Examples:
- “John, Your Special Offer Awaits”
- “You Forgot Something in Your Cart, Sarah”
- “Lisa, We Picked This Just for You”
Pro Tip: If you don’t have a name, personalize based on interests or past purchases.
3. Create Urgency and Scarcity
Adding time sensitive language encourages people to act fast instead of ignoring the email.
Examples:
- “Hurry! Sale Ends Tonight!”
- “Only 3 Spots Left – Reserve Yours Now!”
- “Last Chance! Your Discount Expires Soon.”
Pro Tip: Avoid spammy words like “FREE” or excessive exclamation marks, which can send your email to the spam folder.
4. Spark Curiosity
Make the reader wonder what’s inside without giving away too much. This makes them want to open the email to find out.
Examples:
- “You Won’t Believe This Secret Tip…”
- “What We Found Might Surprise You!”
- “Here’s a Trick Most People Don’t Know.”
Pro Tip:
Don’t mislead your audience. If your email doesn’t deliver on the subject line’s promise, they won’t trust you next time.
5. Ask a Question
Questions make readers pause and think—making them more likely to open your email.
Examples:
- “Struggling to Grow Your Business?”
- “Want to Save 20% on Your Next Purchase?”
- “Are You Making These SEO Mistakes?”
Pro Tip:
Ask questions that align with their pain points or desires.
6. Add Numbers or Lists
Numbers stand out in crowded inboxes and make the email feel more structured and easy to digest.
Examples:
- “5 Quick Hacks to Improve Your Marketing”
- “7 Ways to Boost Your Instagram Engagement”
- “3 Simple Steps to Save Money Today”
Pro Tip:
Odd numbers tend to get higher engagement than even numbers.
7. Use Power Words That Evoke Emotion
Certain words trigger emotional responses, making people curious, excited, or even a little anxious.
Examples:
- “Mind Blowing Marketing Tricks You Need to Try”
- “Don’t Miss Out on This Exclusive Deal”
- “This Simple Tip Will Change Your Life”
Pro Tip:
Use power words sparingly so they don’t lose their impact.
8. A/B Test Different Subject Lines
Don’t guess test, Send two versions of an email with different subject lines to see which one gets the highest open rate.
What to Test:
- Length (short vs. long)
- Tone (friendly vs. formal)
- Personalization (name vs. no name)
- Urgency (“Last Chance” vs. “Limited Time Offer”)
Pro Tip:
Most email platforms like Mailchimp, Klaviyo, and ConvertKit offer built in A/B testing tools.
9. Use Emojis (But Not Too Many)
Emojis make emails visually stand out, but overusing them can look unprofessional.
Examples:
- “🚀 Your Exclusive Offer Inside”
- “🌟 50% Off – Today Only!”
- “💡 Want More Traffic? Try This.”
Pro Tip:
Use one or two emojis max—too many can feel spammy.
10. Align Subject Line with Email Content
Clickbait subject lines might boost open rates, but if the email doesn’t deliver, subscribers will lose trust and stop opening future emails.
Example of What NOT to Do:
❌ “You Won a Free Gift” (but inside, they just get a discount code)
Pro Tip:
Keep your subject lines honest and relevant to your content.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
🚫 Too Many Capital Letters: Looks like spam. (e.g., “🔥HURRY! ONLY 1 DAY LEFT🔥”)
🚫 Clickbait Without Substance: Promising one thing but delivering another.
🚫 Vague Subject Lines: Too generic (e.g, “Check This Out” or “You’ll Like This”)
🚫 Using Spam Words: Avoid words like “Free,” “Win,” “Guarantee,” “Urgent” too often.
