Email Subject Lines That Increase Your Open Rates
It’s one metric we consistently watch and try to improve: email open rates.
There’s good reason for it, too. If your subscribers aren’t opening your email, then they can’t read about:
Your newest coaching program
Your latest must-have tool discovery
That epic blog post you just wrote
The trouble is, you only have about two seconds to entice a reader to open your email. Even worse, you have to do it in ten words or less.
Yikes! That’s a pretty tall order, even for seasoned copywriters. But there are some strategies you can implement now!
Use Numbers
Be specific.
“7 Hidden Benefits of Waking Up at 5am”
“3 Unlikely Ways to Close the Sale”
“5 Social Media Platforms You Shouldn’t Be Ignoring”
The reason numbers work so well in subject lines is because we are ego-centric and curious. We simply must know if we already use those three ways to close the sale. We will either walk away feeling good for being a marketing maven, or we will have learned something. Both are compelling reasons to open an email.
Use Power Words
Just as with all writing, choosing power words is far more effective than settling for their weaker counterparts.
Imagine these two subject lines appear in your inbox.
Which are you more likely to open:
“WordPress Makes Better Looking Websites for Non-Designers”
or
“Create a Gorgeous Website—Even if You’re Not a Designer”
While both subjects offer the same information, the first is weak, while the second is far more compelling.
When it comes to email subjects, there are a few more tips to keep in mind if you want to up your open rates:
Keep it short – no more than 10 words at the very most, and fewer if you can.
Test everything. Use your autoresponder’s split-testing functionality to see which subject line styles perform best in your market.
Use personalization, but sparingly. Occasional use of your reader’s first name can be a powerful technique.
If your subscribers aren’t opening your email, they’re not buying. Paying closer attention to your subject lines is the single most important thing you can do for your email marketing campaigns.
Be Consistent.
It's true: outta sight, outta mind.
There are thousands of entrepreneurs competing for space in your audience's inbox. If you aren't consistently emailing your list, your chances of being remembered are SLIM.
Email your audience at minimum a 2-3 times a month to stay connected with them and them with you.
A disconnected reader will never be a loyal customer.
Show up for them frequently and remind them often of how much you appreciate them.
xoxo,
Crystal