Four Proven Subject Lines By Mike Alvero | Posted March 17th, 2008
There’s no email marketing if nobody opens your mail! Try these four proven subject line angles.
Subject lines can make or break your email marketing strategy.
They’re the most important of any email marketing campaign because if you don’t convince the reader to immediately open and read your message, it’ll likely end up in the trash!
When you’re thinking up subject lines, picture your reader in front of their computer faced with a bulging inbox.
As they glance over your subject line, what’s going to make them open it first?For starters, nothing is more effective than using the reader’s name in the subject line to catch their attention. (You can easily set up this tried and tested technique with an email service provider like iContact.)
But your subject line must also answer the first questions on your reader’s mind:
- "So what?"
- "What’s in it for me?"
- "Why should I open your message (out of the dozens waiting for me)?"
Only a few subject lines angles actually answer these questions. We’ve tested thousands – and these four approaches have been consistent winners…
Angle #1: Make an announcement or share news
People want to be the first to find out new things – especially if your site covers a specific industry.
The news could be about your site (e.g., "Lana, we’d like your feedback") or about the topic of interest (e.g., "Michael, here’s a new back exercise").
Angle #2: Make the reader curious
You can do this by suggesting the reader is missing out on an important offer or piece of information (e.g., "Chris, are you making this common mistake?").
It’s important to leave something to the imagination when using this technique, usually by posing a question the reader can’t ignore.
Angle #3: Create a sense of urgency
You do this by either limiting time (e.g., "Mary, just three days left") or quantity (e.g., "David, last 50 copies available now").
This approach works especially well when you’re creating a follow-up mailing – and it’s a great way to motivate people to take action now! But don’t overdo it… creating a sense of urgency too often can be a bit like crying wolf, so use it carefully and sparingly.
Angle #4: Emphasize how the reader will benefit from reading your email
Out of these four angles, you’ll always be most successful if your subject lines state a clear benefit and tell the reader exactly how they’re going to save money, save time, or make their life easier by reading your email (e.g., "Christina, save $25.00 or more every time you fly").
If you can state a benefit AND create curiosity, so much the better! The key to writing benefit-laden subject lines is to consider your product or service from your customers’ point of view.
Write subject lines using these angles – particularly ones that emphasize benefits – and we guarantee you’ll dramatically increase the number of people who open and read your emails…
… Making your email marketing strategies priceless!
—————————
Photo by Mzelle Biscotte (http://www.flickr.com/photos/biscotte/60963915/) on Flickr. Some rights reserved (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/)
Comments (428 Comment)
Search InternetMarketing.com
Categories
- Affiliate Marketing
- Blog
- Blogging
- Copywriting
- Email Marketing
- Feature
- Featured
- Glossary
- Information Publishing
- Internet Marketing Strategy
- Internet Marketing Tools
- Keyword Research
- Niche Marketing
- PPC Advertising
- Promote Your Offline Business
- Selling On eBay
- SEO Tips
- Social Network Marketing
- Starting an Online Business
- STTS Feature
- Testimonials
- Uncategorized
- Website Development
I found your blog web site on google and examine a number of of your early posts. Continue to keep up the superb operate. I simply extra up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. In search of forward to reading more from you in a while!…
Hiya! I randomly stumbled upon your blog from Google. Your writing is filled with interesting information, and I will probably use it at some point in my career. Keep up the awesome work!
Would you style fb backgrounds by any possibility? Or perhaps a person of one’s visitors?
I’m usually to running a blog and i actually appreciate your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your site and keep checking for new information.
Hi, i think that i noticed you visited my website thus i got here to “return the favor”.I’m trying to in finding things to enhance my web site!I guess its ok to make use of some of your ideas!!
You have brought up a very wonderful details , regards for the post. “Beginnings are apt to be shadowy and so it is the beginnings of the great mother life, the sea.” by Rachel Carson.
Really nice design and great subject matter, practically nothing else we want : D.
Do you know where I can get discount supplements ? I am not positive about most of these corporations I see. Any suggestions?
I love your creating design, do keep on writing! I’ll be back again!
I conceive you have mentioned some very interesting points , appreciate it for the post.
I dugg some of you post as I cogitated they were very beneficial handy
Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed! Extremely helpful information particularly the final part
I care for such info much. I used to be seeking this particular information for a long time. Thanks and best of luck.
Aw, this was a really nice post. In idea I wish to put in writing like this additionally – taking time and precise effort to make a very good article… however what can I say… I procrastinate alot and in no way seem to get one thing done.
I literally THINK THIS comes with accounting ALL!! THE STUGGLE a HAVE AS A fashion advisor IS completing an infant TECHNOLOGICAL carry LIKE united states HAVE IN THIS CLASSROOM TODAY.
I dugg some of you post as I cogitated they were very beneficial handy
Merely a smiling visitant here to share the love (:, btw great design. “The price one pays for pursuing a profession, or calling, is an intimate knowledge of its ugly side.” by James Arthur Baldwin.
That is really interesting, You’re an excessively skilled blogger. I have joined your feed and sit up for seeking extra of your great post. Additionally, I have shared your web site in my social networks!
I certainly did not know that. Learnt one thing new nowadays! Thanks for that.
You should take part in a contest for among the finest blogs on the web. I will suggest this site!
Hello i am so delighted I discovered your webpage, I actually discovered you by error, while I was searching Yahoo for somewhat else, Anyways I am here now plus would simply comparable to say thanks for a immense web site posting plus a all round absorbing site (I in addition love the theme/model), I do not have time to study it all at the right now but I have bookmarked it in addition to in addition added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read further..
You need to participate in a contest for top-of-the-line blogs on the web. I will suggest this website!
Dead written content material, Really enjoyed looking at.
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article. I will make sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly comeback.
Enjoyed studying this, very good stuff, appreciate it. “Shared joys make a friend, not shared sufferings.” by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche.
you are in point of fact a excellent webmaster. The site loading velocity is incredible. It seems that you’re doing any unique trick. Furthermore, The contents are masterpiece. you’ve performed a excellent process in this matter!
certainly like your web site however you have to test the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling problems and I to find it very bothersome to tell the reality on the other hand I will certainly come again again.
I really enjoy looking at on this web site, it contains wonderful articles. “Never fight an inanimate object.” by P. J. O’Rourke.
The best article!