Avoid these common email subject line mistakes
Subject lines may seem like a small part of your email message, but they are actually one of the most important. Most people receive more than 100 emails every single day. With so many demands for attention, you need to have powerful subject lines to make your emails stand out from the crowd. In fact, HubSpot reports that 47% of email recipients base their decision on whether to open an email on the subject line alone. A poorly crafted email subject line will get your email overlooked and at worst could cause people to unsubscribe from your list entirely.
Here are some tips to help you create effective email subject lines that will increase your opening rate:
1. Keep it short
The majority of emails are opened on mobile devices, so subject lines need to be short or they will be cut off. HubSpot recommends creating short email subject lines that are 50 characters or less, while MailChimp found that using 28 to 39 characters is ideal. Cut out non-essential information and pare your subject line down to basics to get the best response.
2. Make it personal
Personalization creates a feeling of rapport that improves the open and click through rates on emails. Using the recipient’s name or location in your subject line is the most effective, but putting “you” or “your” in the subject line also works.
3. Segment your lists
You have a lot of information available on your customers’ likes and dislikes. Use this information to target your customers’ specific interests in your emails, rather than sending out generic emails. For instance, instead of sending out emails for a family discount to an unmarried couple, craft your email lines more selectively to fit with your customers’ specific circumstances and interests.
4. Create a sense of urgency
Creating a sense of urgency or importance can encourage clicks, provided you don’t use it unnecessarily. Declaring “One day sale” or “24 hours left” can make email subject lines more effective, but you should avoid general “act now!” statements when a time limit is not actually in effect.
5. Avoid misleading or overpromising
Staying away from spammy or misleading offers tops the list of email subject line best practices. People don’t like being tricked, and indulging in these practices can result in your getting blocked . Putting FW: in your email subject line to suggest it is coming from a trusted source or suggesting an offer that you don’t follow through with may get your email opened, but it will not generate click throughs. Offer something that your customers will value and deliver exactly what you promise.
6. Be concise
Good email subject lines tend to be direct and clear, so people know exactly what they are getting. Instead of using generic language like “find out how to improve sales,” get specific with a clearly stated offer. “Increase direct bookings,” is a more effective email subject line because it shortly and concisely promises a specific benefit.
7. Include numbers
Using numbers in your email subject lines works as effectively as it does in blog titles. It helps your subject lines standout from a sea of words and vague subject lines that may b. You can include numbers as part of a listicle title, to announce a discount amount, or to make a benefit more specific.
8. Incite interest with questions
Questions make some of the most effective email subject lines. They can pique interest, rile up a competitive spirit, or simply engage your recipient’s curiosity.
9. Go for catchy not spammy
This is one of the email subject line best practices that should never be overlooked. Using all caps, repetitions of “free” offers, or multiple exclamation points is not going to attract positive interest in your email. Actually, a survey by the Radicati Group found that more than 85% of respondents preferred an all-lowercase email subject line to one that was in all caps.
10. Run A/B tests
Sometimes email subject lines simply don’t work as effectively for your specific audience as you imagine. That’s why testing is so important. Would numbers or timed offers work better? Should you use questions or rely on personalized statements? A/B test your email subject lines and tweak your subject lines based on the results.
For more email marketing tips and complete support services for all your online marketing efforts, turn to Blue Interactive Agency. Our dedicated team of marketers can provide you with a comprehensive list of small business marketing services that includes responsive web design services for websites and emails, email content creation, subscriber list acquisition and management services, monthly social marketing packages, and much more.
Contact us at Blue Interactive Agency today at 954-779-2801 for more information on implementing effective email marketing strategies to help your small business succeed!
