How Increase Open Rates Through Engaging Subject Lines

We can learn a lot from credible email marketers about how to optimize our emails for sales prospecting. Spam filters are programmed to pick up on clickbait subject lines, getting your emails sent to spam after a certain number of offenses.

For those emails that make it to the inbox, 33% of people decide whether or not to open an email based on the subject line alone.

Don’t lose a third of your leads over a bad subject line. Create honest subject lines that entice the reader to want to learn more.

1. Keep it short

Limit your character length to 50 characters so the reader can see the entire message, whether they’re viewing it on their phone, tablet, or computer.

2. Personalize

Personalized subject lines increase open rates by 29%. Use their name, location, or company to add a touch of human connection.

3. Tell them what’s inside Incentivize.

If you’re offering the 3 best consulting tips for small businesses, tell them.

4. Create a sense of urgency

The key here is to create subject lines that require an action within a certain time frame, without demanding anything from the reader. Subject lines with a sense of urgency, when done correctly, can increase open rates up to 22%.

5. Ask yourself: “Would I open this?”

You’re an avid subject-line reader as much as the next guy. Ask yourself if the subject would entice you to open the email. If you’d ignore it, it probably isn’t enticing enough. If you’d spam it, it probably doesn’t feel genuine.