deally, your email marketing subscribers will visit your website, purchase your products, and share your content with their friends. But before any of that can happen, there’s a critical threshold you need to acknowledge: the open. If your subscribers never open your email, they won’t be able to take any action on it—rendering the email functionally useless.
In other words, your first and highest priority in email marketing is securing a higher open rate. With the latest email marketing trends emphasizing the importance of personalization, segmentation, and engaging subject lines, it’s crucial to stay ahead. Crafting better subject lines that align with these trends can make a significant difference—but what are the best subject lines for generating more email opens?
Why Are Email Subject Lines So Important?
For starters, an email subject line is the first thing your subscribers will see when reviewing your email. Before they read your message and even before they open it, the subject line will form their first impression. More than half of people will quickly delete most of the emails that hit their inbox simply because the subject line wasn't attractive enough.
It's also important to recognize that the body content of your email won't matter at all if subscribers never open your message. In other words, no matter how good your email is, the subject line is still the gateway that prevents people from viewing that excellent content.
To achieve higher open rates, it’s crucial to implement email marketing best practices when crafting your subject lines. An excellent subject line can yield good results even if your internal body copy is weak. Conversely, if your internal body copy is strong but your subject line is weak, it’s impossible to achieve adequate results.
The Qualities of Excellent Subject Lines
So what is it that makes a subject line effective? How can we tweak our subject lines to see better open rates across the board?
1. Conciseness
Whether you’re sending out welcome emails or a regular newsletter, it's important to keep subject lines concise. Email platforms limit the number of characters they display, and users often only glance at them. A strong, concise first impression with as few words as possible is crucial.-
- Welcome! Your Exclusive Offer Inside
- Limited Time: 50% Off Just for You
- Ready to Save? Click Now!
- New Arrivals You Can’t Miss
- Act Fast! Deals End Today
2. Uniqueness
Most people receive hundreds of emails daily, forcing them to delete most without a second thought. To stand out, your subject line needs to be unique and not a carbon copy of every other marketing email in their inbox. Thinking outside the box will help your email avoid the trash.-
- You Won’t Believe What We Have for You 🎁
- This Isn't Your Average Sale!
- Our Secret Deal Is Finally Here 🤫
- What’s Behind This Email? Only One Way to Find Out
- Your Inbox Has Never Seen This Before
3. Urgency
Subject lines implying urgency, scarcity, or time-sensitive offers can drive better engagement. Subscribers are less likely to ignore or delete your email if they feel they need to act quickly.
- Hurry! Only 24 Hours Left to Save
- Final Call! Your Offer Expires Tonight
- Going, Going... Almost Gone! 😱
- Limited Stock: Shop Before It’s Too Late
- Last Chance! Unlock Your Deal Now
4. Curiosity
Sparking curiosity encourages subscribers to open your email. Don’t reveal everything upfront—tease something intriguing and make them want to learn more.
- Guess What We Have for You...
- The Deal You’ve Been Waiting For Is Here
- This Secret Will Change Everything...
- Surprise Inside! Click to Unveil
- What’s Next? Find Out Now
5. Clear Value
Your subscribers should immediately understand the benefit of opening your email. Make it clear how they’ll gain—whether through savings, time, or knowledge.
- Save 20% on Your Next Order Today!
- Exclusive Offer: Save Time and Money with Us
- Unlock Your FREE Guide to Better Marketing
- Upgrade Your Skills with Our Free Webinar
- Get More Done with Our Top Productivity Tips
6. Personalization
Personalized subject lines, tailored with the recipient’s name, location, or preferences, tend to perform better. Personalized touches can grab attention more effectively than generic messaging.
- John, This Deal Is Just for You!
- A Special Offer for Our NYC Customers 🌆
- Emily, Don’t Miss Your 15% Discount
- Your Custom Plan Awaits, Sarah
- Jason, Get Ready to Enjoy Exclusive Savings!
7. Video
Mentioning video content in your subject line can increase your open rate by up to 19%. Video is engaging and appealing to most audiences, making it a great tool to include.
- Watch This for an Exclusive Sneak Peek 🎥
- Our Latest Product Demo – Just for You
- See How It Works: Watch Our New Video
- Video Inside: Unbox Your New Favourite Gadget
- Watch This: How We Can Help You Succeed
8. Specific Relevance
Tailor your subject lines to your specific audience. Segment your subscriber list to target different demographics, ensuring your message is relevant and speaks directly to their needs.
- Attention Designers: New Tools for Your Projects
- Fitness Enthusiasts, This Deal Is for You 💪
- Calling All Students: Get 30% Off Your Essentials
- Home Cooks, Meet Your New Favourite Kitchen Tool 🍳
- Small Business Owners, Save Big on Marketing Solutions
9. Humor
A lighthearted approach with puns or jokes in your subject line can make your email more engaging and enjoyable, leading to higher open rates.
- Don’t Let This Deal Slip Through Your Fingers... 🖐️
- We’re Not Kidding – This Is Huge!
- Feast Your Eyes on These Deals (Pun Intended) 😋
- Your Inbox Just Got a Whole Lot Funnier 😂
- Our Deals Are Bananas! 🍌
10. Professionalism
Avoid gimmicks like excessive punctuation, all caps, or sloppy typos. A polished, professional tone is key to establishing credibility and encouraging opens.
- Your Monthly Marketing Report Is Reads
- A Quick Update on Your Account
- Important Changes to Your Membership
- Upgrade Your Account for Better Service
- Your Exclusive Webinar Invitation Awaits
11. Emojis
Though less formal, using emojis in your subject lines can help express emotion and add a visual element to stand out in cluttered inboxes. Just use them sparingly and thoughtfully.
- Your Dream Vacation Is Calling 🌴✈️
- Ready for Your Next Adventure? 🌍
- Big Savings, Big Smiles 😁
- New Arrivals Are Here! 👗👜
- 🚨 Last Chance to Save 30%!
It's also important to recognize that different industries and different contexts require slightly different approaches to subject line optimization. The subject line that works well for an industrial manufacturer looks different than a subject line that works for a new college student.
Beyond the Open
Hopefully, this guide has shed light on how to generate better subject lines and, in turn, achieve higher open rates. But if you want your email marketing strategy to truly succeed, you need to think beyond the open; securing a higher open rate is just the first part of the equation.
To enhance the effectiveness of your email marketing strategies, consider embedding automatically playing videos into your emails. Video content is highly engaging and flexible, making it easy to connect with practically any audience. Thanks to tools like Viewed, it’s easier than ever to upload and embed videos directly into your emails.
If you’re looking for tools to enhance your email marketing strategies, Viewed offers exactly what you need. Sign up for a free!
