Mastering Subject Lines: How to Get People to Actually Open Your Emails
Let’s dive into one of the most important parts of emails: the subject line. I mean, it’s literally the first thing people see when they get your email. If it doesn’t catch their attention, they’re just going to ignore it, or worse: delete it. So, let’s talk about how to nail it.
Why Subject Lines Matter So Much
Think about your own inbox. It’s probably full of marketing emails, right? Most people get tons of them every day. A good subject line is what makes your email stand out in that crowded inbox. It’s like the headline of a news article - it’s got to be interesting, or no one’s going to read the rest.
Basically, the subject line is your first impression. If it’s boring or too salesy, people won’t even bother opening it. But if it’s intriguing or offers something valuable, they’re much more likely to give it a click.
Short and Sweet Wins the Day
Here’s the deal: you don’t have much space to work with. Most email clients (think Gmail, Outlook) cut off subject lines after about 60 characters, and on mobile, it’s even less. So, your subject line has to be short, clear, and to the point.
Here’s an example:
- “Discover how bluefox.email's design systems help you create brand consistent transactional and marketing emails.” is fine, but...
- “Send beautiful & consistent transactional, and marketing emails.” is better.
It’s punchy, and you instantly know what the email is about without wasting time.
Get Personal (But Don’t Be Creepy)
Adding a personal touch works wonders. People are more likely to open an email if it feels like it’s just for them. You can do this by adding their name or referencing something specific to them.
For example, if you're sending out an email for a pocket kife brand, you could try:
- “John, sharpen your collection with the latest Spyderco Smock!”
It feels friendly and personal, like you’re talking to them, not just blasting out a generic message to everyone.
But - and this is important - don’t overdo it. If you get too personal or throw their name in every single email, it starts feeling fake. Balance is key.
Curiosity is Your Best Friend
One of the easiest ways to get someone to open an email is by making them curious. Leave them wanting to know more, but don’t be too vague. You want them to have a reason to click, but you also need to give them a little hint about what’s inside.
For example:
- “Guess what’s new at bluefox.email?”
- “You won’t believe which Spyderco is back in stock…”
Both of these make you want to open the email just to see what it’s about. It’s like a little teaser.
Offer Value Right Away
People love getting something for free or at a discount, so if you’re offering a deal, say that in the subject line. Don’t make them guess. Be upfront about the value you’re offering, whether it’s a discount, a free resource, or some exclusive content.
Some ideas:
- “Get 30 days free with bluefox.email — Limited time!”
- “Try bluefox.email risk-free for 14 days!”
- “Exclusive: Get 20% off your next Spyderco order”
- “Free sharpening guide with your Spyderco Smock purchase — Download now!”
The key here is that the subject line promises immediate value. People are much more likely to open an email when they know there’s something in it for them.
The Power of Urgency
There’s nothing like a little FOMO (fear of missing out) to get people to take action. Creating a sense of urgency can work really well in subject lines, especially for things like sales, limited-time offers, or expiring deals.
For example:
- “Last chance to try bluefox.email for free!”
- “Last chance: Get 25% off your Spyderco Watu today!”
These kinds of subject lines create a sense of urgency, and people don’t want to miss out on a good deal.
Test, Test, Test!
Here’s the thing: what works for one audience might not work for another. That’s why it’s important to test different subject lines to see what gets the best results. You can run A/B tests by sending different versions of your email to small segments of your audience and seeing which subject line performs better.
For instance, try testing:
- “Ready to level up your emails with bluefox?” versus “Simplify email with bluefox.email today!”
- “Don’t miss out on our latest Spyderco drop” versus “New Spyderco knives in stock—Shop now!”
See which one gets more opens, and then roll with that style going forward.
Avoid Clickbait — People HATE It!
Okay, this is a big one. It might be tempting to write a super flashy, clickbait-style subject line, but trust me, that will backfire. If your subject line promises something and the email doesn’t deliver, people are going to lose trust in you very quickly.
For example, don’t say something like:
- “This knife will change your life…” unless you’re following up with a revolutionary product.
It might work once, but after a while, people will stop opening your emails altogether if they feel tricked.
Emojis: Yay or Nay?
This one’s kind of fun. Emojis can be a great way to add a little personality to your subject lines. They can help your email stand out in a sea of text. But, like with most things, don’t overdo it. A well-placed emoji can grab attention, but too many can make your email look spammy.
For bluefox.email:
- “🎨 Consistent & beautiful emails with bluefox.email's design systems!”
- “🔥 Hot New Spyderco Smock Release — Shop Now!”
See how they catch your eye without being overwhelming?
AI and Subject Lines: A Game Changer?
Everyone talks about AI, and one of the most straightforward thing to do with it is generating subject lines. AI (LLMs) can actually help you come up with subject lines based on past data and best practices, and generate suggestions that are optimized to grab attention.
Imagine this: you plug in a little info about your email content, and the AI generates a list of subject lines. It can even help with A/B testing by suggesting variations to test against each other. This saves time and also takes the guesswork out of subject line writing.
That said, AI isn’t perfect. While it can generate solid options, it might not always "get" the nuances of your brand’s tone. So, I’d say use it as a tool to inspire and guide your creativity — but don’t rely on it 100%. Add a personal touch to ensure it matches your brand’s tone.
Final Thoughts
Subject lines are one of the biggest factors in whether someone opens your email or not. Keep them short, intriguing, and valuable. Personalize when you can, and don’t forget to mix it up with curiosity, urgency, and a little bit of fun. Oh, and always be honest—no clickbait!
It’s all about getting people excited to open your email, and once they do, making sure what’s inside is just as good as what you promised.