How To Create Engaging Email Subjects That Drive Open Rates

Have you ever wondered why your email subject lines sometimes work and other times don’t? Subject lines are important because they determine whether or not someone will even open your email.

If you’re like most email marketers, you probably spend a lot of time thinking about the content of your emails. But what about the subject line, Is it just as important? According to recent studies, the answer is yes. In fact, a good subject line can be the difference between an email that gets opened and one that gets deleted. So how do you create engaging email subjects that drive open rates? 

This blog will discuss how to write and show examples of engaging email subjects.

How to Write Engaging Email Subjects?

You know the feeling. You see a new email in your inbox and your heart sinks a little bit. The sender is someone you know you should respond to, but you can’t muster up the energy to open the email, let alone write a response.

The problem is most likely with the subject line. If it’s dull, vague, or otherwise uninteresting, it’s no wonder you don’t want to open it. So how can you write engaging email subjects that will make people want to read your emails?

Here are a few tips to help you create engaging email subjects:

  1. Keep it short and sweet. An effective subject line should be brief and to the point. Long, rambling subject lines are less likely to be read than ones that are succinct and to the point.
  2. Use power words. Certain words have a way of grabbing attention and creating a sense of urgency. Words like “important,” “urgent,” and “breaking” are all examples of powerful words that can help increase the open rate of your emails.
  3. Ask a question. This is a great way to pique someone’s interest and get them to open your email.
  4. Make use of puns or humor. A little lightheartedness can go a long way in making your subject line more engaging. Just be careful not to overdo it.
  5. Be specific. Generic subject lines like “Newsletter” or “Monthly Update” are less likely to stand out in a crowded inbox than ones that are specific to the recipient. So instead of writing “newsletter,” try something like “monthly update on our latest offers.” 
  6. Be personal. Include the recipient’s name or another element that makes the email feel personalized. 
  7. Be clear. Avoid using abbreviations, jargon, or puns that could be confusing or difficult to understand. 
  8. Be interesting. Use strong verbs and active language to make your subject sound appealing. 
  9. Be polite. Even if you have the perfect subject line, it won’t matter if you’re being rude or pushy. 
  10. Test different subjects. Try A/B testing different subjects to see what gets the best response rate before settling on a final version.

Examples of Engaging Email Subjects 

In an effort to increase open rates, email marketers are always looking for new and engaging subject lines. However, coming up with fresh ideas can be a challenge. To help spark some creativity, here are eight examples of engaging email subjects that are sure to get attention:

1. Time-Sensitive Offers can be a great way to increase sales, but only if they’re done right. The key is to make sure the offer is truly time-sensitive and that it’s communicated clearly in the subject line. A good Time-Sensitive Offer email subject line should be clear, concise, and to the point. It should also be creative enough to stand out in a crowded inbox. Here are a few examples of Time-Sensitive Offer subject lines that we think hit the mark:

"24 hours only: Get 50% off your purchase!"

"Hurry! This offer expires at midnight!"

"Final chance! Get 10% off your order today!"

If you're looking to boost sales with a Time-Sensitive Offer, keep these tips in mind and you'll be sure to see success.

2. Content Previews can be a great way to get them to open your email and take a look at the content inside. If you’re looking to up your engagement game, previewing content in your subject line can be a great way to do just that. Not only will previewing content in your subject line increase open rates, but it will also encourage recipients to read the rest of the email if they’re interested. Here are some examples of email subjects that work well as content previews:

"See what we published today! Click here to read"

"This is what we'll be covering in our upcoming webinar"

"Get a sneak peek of our newest ebook!"

If you're looking to increase engagement and conversions with content previews, try using these types of subject lines in your next email marketing campaign.

3. Personalized Messages can be a great way to show recipients that you’re thinking about them. By tailoring your messages to individual recipients, you can create an experience that’s both personal and engaging. Here is an example of email subjects that work well as personalized messages:

"John, Here's How You Can Reach Your Sales Goals"

4. URGENT can be a great way to grab recipients’ attention. When you add an urgent tone to your email subject, you can make it clear that this email is important. This can help increase open rates and conversion rates. Here is an example of an urgent email subject:

"You Won't Want To Miss This! Urgent Alert"

5. Questions can be a great way to get recipients thinking. When you create an email subject that is based on a question, recipients will be more likely to read the email. Here is an example of an email subject that uses questions:

"What's Your Favorite Book?"

"Can You Help Me Solve This Mystery?"

6. Upcoming Events can be a great way to connect with potential customers and build relationships. By promoting upcoming events in your subject line, you’ll be able to attract new customers and keep old ones happy too. Here are some examples of email subjects that work well for promoting upcoming events:

"Join us for our next meetup!"

"Attend our workshop on _____ on Saturday!"

"Register for our event on _____ today!"

If you're looking to promote an upcoming event, consider using one of these engaging subject lines in your email marketing campaigns.

7. Sales Tips can be useful for any business, but they’re especially important for email marketers who want to increase open rates. By incorporating sales tips into your email subjects, you’ll help subscribers feel like they’re getting value out of their inbox visits. Here are a few examples of sales-oriented email subjects that work well:

"5 easy steps to doubling your sales!"

"How I tripled my business by using this strategy…"

"This is how I stopped my customer from leaving me…"

Sales tips are an important part of any effective marketing campaign, so consider including them in your emails if you want higher open rates.

8. Weekly Deals can be a great way to entice subscribers to sign-up for your newsletters or follow you on social media. Weekly deals are a great way to drum up excitement around upcoming promotions and keep your email list top-of-mind. Here are a few examples of weekly deal email subjects that work well:

"Upcoming Deals! _____% off!"

"Latest Deals! _____% off!"

"Free shipping on orders over $ ___!"

Weekly deals can be an effective way to generate excitement around upcoming promotional content and keep your subscribers engaged.

These examples show that email subjects don’t have to be boring or mundane. By tapping into curiosity, emotions, or even a sense of humor, you can craft subjects that will stand out in a crowded inbox and entice recipients to open your email. So next time you’re stuck staring at a blank subject line, take inspiration from these engaging examples and give your subscribers something to look forward to.

Conclusion 

Email subject lines are one of the most important pieces of your email. If they don’t engage the reader, it doesn’t matter how good the content is – it will never be read. That’s why it’s so important to focus on creating subjects that drive open rates. Fortunately, there are a few tips you can use to make sure your email stands out in the inbox and gets read. We’ve provided some examples of engaging email subjects that you can use for your own needs but remember to always test different options to see what works best for your audience. 

At Demand Cloud, we specialize in creating high-performing cold email campaigns. We know how to write subject lines that get attention and make recipients want to open the email. Plus, our team is always up for a little banter, so our emails are sure to make you smile (even if you don’t end up buying anything). Ready to increase your open rates? Get a demo today and let us show you what we can do!