Engaging subject lines for effective email copywriting

The subject line is often the decisive factor in whether an email is read or ignored. You only have a few seconds to pique your reader's curiosity and encourage them to click. Therefore, it is crucial to craft this short line of text effectively. This guide will help you create engaging subject lines that resonate with your target audience and achieve a high open rate.

Main Insights

• Keep the subject line short: 0 to a maximum of 10 words.
• The subject line should arouse curiosity or ask a question.
• Focus on a single offer or topic.
• The email must have a clear goal to be effective.
• Use specific numbers to create credibility.
• Test different versions of your subject line to determine what works best.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Understand Your Target Audience

Before you start writing the subject line, you should have a clear understanding of who your target audience is. Define who you are writing to and why. By doing this, you can ensure that your subject line is relevant and addresses the needs of your readers.

Step 2: Set a Specific Goal

Think about what you want to achieve with this email. If your goal is to get people to click on a YouTube video, then focus solely on that goal. Use the subject line to motivate the reader.

Step 3: Keep It Short and Sweet

The optimal length for a subject line is between 0 and 10 words. Trim your text and write in a way that piques the reader's curiosity. Avoid general and bland phrases that offer little incentive.

Step 4: Pique Curiosity or Ask a Question

A good subject line should either pique curiosity or pose a question. For example, instead of "This video will help you get started in the financial world," you could also ask, "Do you want to know how to invest better?" These formulations attract readers and motivate them to open the email.

Step 5: Choose Your Words Carefully

Remember to pay attention to the choice of words as well. Less common terms can generate more power and attract attention. A title like "Richer than Warren Buffett? Here's how!" is much more catchy than a generic headline.

Step 6: Experiment with Specific Numbers

Use specific numbers in your subject lines to create credibility. Instead of "Save 150 euros," use "Save 149.38 euros." Such numbers appear more credible and appealing because they are specific and have not simply been rounded up.

Step 7: Create Multiple Subject Lines

Generate different creative subject lines and then choose the best one. Writing multiple options gives you the opportunity to test different approaches and determine what resonates with your readers.

Step 8: Utilize Feedback from Your Target Audience

If possible, conduct a small survey within your target audience or network to find out which subject lines appeal to them. This way, you can receive direct feedback and optimize your approaches.

Step 9: Test Your Subject Lines

Conduct A/B tests by sending different subject lines to different groups within your email list. Observe which lines achieve the best open rates. This way, you can determine which topics and styles most strongly attract the curiosity of your target audience.

Step 10: Compose the Remaining Content

Once you have designed your subject line to your satisfaction, you can proceed with writing the email content. Ensure that the content remains relevant to the subject line and that the readers receive the promised information or incentives.

Summary

An engaging subject line is crucial to capturing the interest of your readers. Keep your messages concise and focused, ensure they have a clear goal, and experiment with different approaches to find out what resonates best with your audience. By utilizing feedback from your target audience and conducting A/B tests, you can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your email campaigns.