Email has become the main mode of communication for personal and business use alike, but that doesn’t mean that everyone opens or reads all the emails they receive. After all, the total number of consumer and business emails sent and received per day in 2019 exceeded 293 billion. With this in mind, let’s take a look at 5 tips for writing subject lines that convert.
Research has shown that subject lines featuring the first name of the recipient have a 20% higher click-through rate than those that don’t. However, this is a common practice now, so try to use language or location-specific offers instead. You can even try targeting recipients based on their previous purchases or interests.
It is highly likely that your recipients are reading their emails on their smartphones, so they’ll only be able to see around 6-8 words of your subject line. As such, make sure you get straight to the point. Short, descriptive subject lines fare better than cheesy ones, so don’t waste valuable space with greetings – you can say hello in the email!
A funny subject line can really stand out, but humour isn’t always appreciated. Therefore, if you’re sending out an email to a large group of subscribers, it’s probably best to avoid using jokes or puns. However, if you know your audience well and your emails are targetted, a well-timed joke could improve your click-through rate.
Many of the features that make up a good blog post title also make a good subject line. Using numbers often attracts attention as our brains are naturally drawn to them. This is also why lists are successful – they are easier to scan, generate curiosity and promise a quick read.
One of the best ways to get your subject lines to convert is to create a sense of urgency. People like having access to discounts or being the first to learn about new things, so you need to make sure they know it’s time-sensitive to encourage conversions. The fear of missing out, or FOMO, is a real thing and can be very compelling when used correctly.
