While it may seem innocuous, crafting a compelling subject line requires a delicate balance of clarity, relevance, and engagement strategy. Consider it the “eyebrows” of your email – the first thing you notice. There are many components of a powerful and compelling subject line, some of which involve a keen eye for detail and harnessing the power of suspense. In this blog we are going to examine, and dissect, what makes a winning subject line. Here are 4 bullet-proof methods:
1. Personalization and Relevance: By tailoring your subject line to reflect your recipient’s preferences or custom data points fosters a sense of connection and familiarity. For instance, incorporating the recipient’s name or referencing previous interactions will make them feel you are delivering trustworthy communications – increasing your chances of an open and improving credibility.
2. Creating a Sense of Urgency: Strategic use of language to convey urgency or exclusivity can prompt immediate action from recipients. Phrases such as “limited time offer” or “act now” instill a sense of hastiness, compelling recipients to prioritize the email. Keep in mind, however, that you should be truthful in your messaging and avoid misleading or manipulative tactics that can land you in hot water.
3. Highlighting Value Proposition: Put the pertinent stuff first. Why should the recipient care about the email you’re sending – what is in it for them? Whether it is exclusive access to information, promotional offers, or valuable insights, the subject line should emphasize what recipients stand to gain by opening the email.
4. Strategic Use of Creativity: Last but not least, charm and ingenuity go a long way with enhancing your response rate. While maintaining professionalism, incorporating creativity and intrigue into subject lines can capture attention. Curiosity is a major human compulsion, and harnessing the power of piquing someone’s interest is more than enough to prompt them to open an email.
Creating a compelling subject line that drives open rates is not as simple as you may think. It requires a combination of creativity and strategy that should be tested and evaluated for every campaign you send. The practice of reviewing and testing, also known as A/B testing, is an effective tool at knowing what performs best for you. If you feel discouraged at first, don’t fret, creating multiple variations and running these experiments will help streamline your efforts and improve your KPIs.
Looking to spice up your email strategy, or get better results? The MSB team are experts at enhancing your marketing efforts and getting you winning results. Drop us a line to see how we can help you: olivia@mysocialbiz.net.