subject: Email Marketing: Write Subject Lines that Grab the Attention of Your Recipients [print this page] Keep in mind that while you are conducting your own email marketing campaign, so do other people. There are tons of other email marketing messages out there that also compete for your recipients' attention. The best way to get around this is to write more compelling subject lines. Here's how
1. Provide Positive Reinforcement by Using Motivating Words
Subject lines limit you to writing a maximum of 50 characters. Therefore you must choose your words wisely. Make use of motivating verbs such as focus, discover, launch, improve and master that would help direct your recipients to do something or click your call-to-action button.
2. Provide a Benefit
When writing an email marketing ad, always put yourself in the shoes of your recipients. What would make you take the time to open your email? If you ask me, any email that provides answer to my struggle or problem is a sure winner. This is a very effective formula. Let them know what's in it for them if they open your email.
3. Add Variety
Variety grabs attention. If you're conducting an email marketing campaign, stay away from monotony. This is applicable especially if you're regularly sending newsletters or other series of related messages. Also, it would be appropriate to change each subject for each issue. This way, each subject is directly related to the content of your email.
4. Stay Away the Spam Triggers
Keep in mind that all ISP has built-in spam filters. It operates by catching unwanted messages before they can even reach your inbox. This is an extremely helpful tool because it saves us from dealing with every junk message that is thrown our way. If you're conducting an email marketing, better stay away from words that tend to get caught in several spam filters (i.e. free, sale, 50% Off, Call Now, Click Here, Subscribe, Opportunity, Guaranteed, Order Now, Act Now).
Also, in order for your email to bypass this trap, avoid writing your subjects in ALL CAPS. Excessive use of punctuations marks must also be avoided.
5. Test Your Subject Lines
The sad truth is there is no clear formula when it comes to writing an effective subject line. At the same time, not all formats will work all the time or with every recipient. The results may vary. What you can do is test your email marketing subjects by changing your subject format for every mailing. You may also split-test each mailing by dividing your list. Next, check your stats to know which and how each subject line performs. Lastly, tweak your subject format until you find a formula that works for your recipients.
6. Use Controversy
Controversy never fails to grab attention since time immemorial. Raise a controversial question or pique the reader's curiosity by using hot topics. Making a debatable statement can undoubtedly generate a certain amount of interest that eventually leads your recipients to open your email instead of deleting it. Just make sure that if you're going to use controversy in your subject line, be original.
7. Don't Personalize Your Subject Lines
Putting your recipient's name on the subject line is just like telling them that your email is a spam because this is the current trend nowadays. Place their name in the greetings inside the message, not the subject line. Never forget this when you're conducting your email marketing campaign.
Email Marketing: Write Subject Lines that Grab the Attention of Your Recipients
