How can you write a subject line that compels?

1 Know your audience

Before you write your subject line, you need to know who you are writing to and what they care about. What is their relationship with you or your company? What are their needs, goals, or pain points? How can you help them solve a problem, save time, or achieve a benefit? Use these insights to tailor your subject line to your audience and show them the value of your email.

2 Be clear and concise

Your subject line should communicate the main purpose of your email in a clear and concise way. Avoid vague, generic, or misleading subject lines that don't tell your recipient what to expect from your email. Use specific and relevant words that describe the content, context, or action of your email. Keep your subject line short and simple, preferably between six and 10 words. Avoid unnecessary words, jargon, or acronyms that might confuse or alienate your recipient.

3 Use action verbs and power words

One way to make your subject line more compelling is to use action verbs and power words that convey a sense of urgency, importance, or emotion. Action verbs are words that describe what you or your recipient need to do, such as confirm, register, apply, or join. Power words are words that trigger a psychological or emotional response, such as free, guaranteed, exclusive, or limited. These words can motivate your recipient to open your email and take action.

4 Ask a question or create curiosity

Another way to make your subject line more compelling is to ask a question or create curiosity that entices your recipient to open your email and find out more. A question can engage your recipient's interest, challenge their assumptions, or invite their feedback. A curiosity-driven subject line can pique your recipient's curiosity, tease a benefit, or promise a solution. However, be careful not to overuse this technique or make your subject line too sensational or clickbait-like.

5 Test and optimize

Finally, the best way to find out what subject lines work for your audience is to test and optimize them. You can use tools like email marketing software, analytics, or surveys to measure the open rates, click-through rates, and conversions of your subject lines. You can also experiment with different variables, such as length, tone, format, or personalization, to see what resonates with your audience. By testing and optimizing your subject lines, you can improve your email performance and achieve your business goals.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?