Subject Line Inspiration

We all know this:

Subject lines are the key to getting your email read. Once you get through the firewall and into the prospects inbox, the next big hurdle is getting your email opened and this relies 100% on your subject line. It must interest and intrigue the recipient enough to make them click open.

So the main piece of advice here is to cheat! Yep, you heard me –cheat. Copy and “borrow”. You need to see what others are doing and see what works. I spent 4 hours the other day scouring my inbox to which emails I had opened. This would have been due to the title and made a list of them. This gave me great insight into what works and I strongly recommend you do the same.

The key seems to be providing an intriguing offer and personalisation. A great one was “Simon, can Igneous Marketing profit from this simple, cost effective tool”. What a great line!

Below are the MarketingMixer’s top 50 opened subject lines.

Enjoy this Special Offer at Our New Location

25-40% off - Email-Only Offer – Today Only

Invitation-Only 2 Hour Event Starts 11:30 AM CT

Ends Today! 20% Off Friends & Family

Top 10 under $10

Free shipping - offer ends in 3 days

Free product with purchase of [product name]

[New Product] has arrived. Order now before we run out.

Earn double points for [insert product or action].

Last Chance: Get up to $25 now

Save 10% on your next order

Enjoy [season] with rates from $65

Service Notice: Exciting new changes at [your company]

An Exclusive Offer for You

[Your company] October Specials

Last minute deals, special offers, and new [product name]

Act Now to renew your [subscription name]

Online only: 25% off friends and family

Introducing our latest…[product/feature here]

[Product name] Promotion week. Save 25%

Extended for a day! Get Free shipping through Friday

Stock up and save 15%

Limited Supply: Limit 2 [product name] per customer

Ho-ho-ho: The [your company] holiday catalog is here!

Email subscriber exclusive: [Product name] sale is here

Ends Today: Take 20% off your entire order

Private Sale Ends Today

Your choice of amazing items $50 + under

Great gifts for [Dad, Mom, etc]

Best Sellers every [girl, boy, man, woman, dog, etc.]

Everything you need when the temperatures [rise, fall]

Free Shipping--Limited Time Offer

Another great source of inspiration is newspaper headlines. What gets read? What makes you read on? Apply this principle to your email marketing subject line. I have also been looking at twitter to see what inspires me to click the link.