3 GUIDELINES FOR WRITING EMAIL SUBJECT LINES

At the end of 2014, 73% of marketers claimed to have had email marketing as the core strategy for their business, according to Forbes. Today emails and eblasts are the most common form of marketing communication, and it’s no wonder – increases in technology allow you to easily reach millions of consumers with a simple click of a button. You’re given the power to reach millions, but how many of those people will actually open your marketing emails? And what is the deciding factor that determines whether they do so?

Much like when you meet someone in-person, you have seven seconds to make an impression through email – and that time starts with the subject line. Therefore, it’s crucial that your subject lines are clear, strong and attention-grabbing. Subject lines can determine whether your email is opened, deleted or reported as spam. Studies have shown that 69% of email recipients report emails as spam based solely on the subject lines and 35% of recipients open emails based on the subject lines alone.

Here are three simple subject line guidelines to consider as you develop your email campaigns:

1. Keep it short.
   According to Adestra.com, subject lines with fewer than 10 characters had an open rate of 58%. Sometimes, a short, sweet message is what consumers want to see and need to see. Also, keep in mind that most consumers are using mobile devices to check emails. Many mobile devices don’t have the ability to show long subject lines.
2. Be clear.
   Your subject line should be strong, clear and straightforward. Subject lines that are misleading could result in the recipient reporting you as spam, unsubscribing from your email list and ruining your chances of ever gaining the recipient as a customer. Clearly state what your message is and why it’s relevant to the recipient.
3. Add a call to action.
   Including a time frame in your subject line has been known to increase open and response rates. The goal is to create a sense of urgency – the shorter the time the recipients have to take action, the more they will feel compelled to do so.

You don’t have long to make an impression through email marketing, so make those seconds count by making sure your subject lines are worth reading. If you’re having trouble with your email marketing, contact our full-service agency to learn more about Conduit, our marketing software tool, and to receive a free demonstration.