Table of Contents
- The Importance of Good Email Subject Lines
- Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) Subject Lines
- Pain Point Subject Lines
- Urgency Subject Lines
- Exclusivity Subject Lines
- Curiosity Subject Lines
- Humor Subject Lines
- Personalization Subject Lines
- Vanity Subject Lines
- Questions Subject Lines
- Retargeting Subject Lines
- Subject Lines That Trigger Greed
- Scarcity Subject Lines
- Social Proof Subject Lines
- Authority Subject Lines
- Incentivized Subject Lines
- Straightforward Subject Lines
- Season Subject Lines
- How to Send a Successful Email Campaign
Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to reach your customers and promote your products or services. However, if your email subject lines are not compelling, your open rates will suffer.
The good news is that there are many different types of email subject lines that can help you boost your open rates. In this article, we will explore 165 of the best email subject lines to help you get started.
The Importance of Good Email Subject Lines
Did you know that 33% of email recipients open emails because of the subject line alone? This means that the subject line is more important than the sender name, the email content, and even the offer.
A good subject line can make the difference between an email that gets opened and one that goes straight to the trash or, worse, one that gets marked as spam.
The best way to write a good email subject line is to keep it short, interesting, and to the point.
Here are 165 examples of the best email subject lines that you can use to boost your open rates:
Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) Subject Lines
Fear of missing out is a psychological phenomenon that refers to the feeling of anxiety or fear that we experience when we think we are missing out on something.
FOMO is a powerful emotion that can be leveraged to increase email open rates.
Here are some examples of FOMO-inducing email subject lines:
- Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
- Hurry! Only a few hours left to get this exclusive offer!
- Last chance to get this popular product!
- [URGENT] You’ve got 24 HOURS to get this deal…
- Today only: Get XYZ at an unbelievable price!
- Time is running out! Get your hands on XYZ before it’s too late!
- You don’t want to regret missing out on this tomorrow…
- Are you sure you can afford to miss out on this?
- Missed out on the last sale? Make sure you don’t miss this one!
- Don’t let FOMO ruin your life! Act now and get XYZ!
Pain Point Subject Lines
Another effective way to write email subject lines is to focus on the pain points of your recipients.
People are always looking for ways to solve their problems. If you can address a pain point in your email subject line, you will be more likely to get your email opened.
Here are some examples of pain point email subject lines:
- Tired of XYZ? Get the solution here!
- Don’t know how to XYZ? We can help!
- Are you sick of XYZ? Get the cure here!
- End your XYZ struggles today!
- Say goodbye to your XYZ problems!
- No more XYZ headaches!
- The solution to your XYZ problem is just a click away!
- Stop letting XYZ ruin your life! Get the help you need here.
- Don’t suffer from XYZ any longer! Get relief now!
- Say goodbye to XYZ for good!
Urgency Subject Lines
When people feel like they need to act fast, they are more likely to take action. Using time-sensitive language, you can create a sense of urgency in your email subject line.
Here are some examples of urgency email subject lines:
- [TIME SENSITIVE!] Save 20% on your order today
- Only 3 days left to save!
- Final call: early bird tickets end tonight
- Hurry! Last chance to get 50% off
- Act fast! This offer ends in 24 hours
- Time is running out…
- Limited time offer! Get ANY item free upon buying XYZ
- Offer expires soon: Get XYZ before it’s too late!
- This sale ends at midnight!
- Today only: Get XYZ at an unbeatable price!
Exclusivity Subject Lines
People love feeling like they are part of an exclusive group. When you make your email subscribers feel special, they are more likely to open your email. You can create a sense of exclusivity in your email subject line by using language that suggests that the offer is limited or available to a select group of people.
Here are some examples of exclusivity email subject lines:
- For VIP members only: Get 50% off your purchase today!
- You’ve been selected! Get a complimentary XYZ here.
- Exclusive offer for our valued customers!
- A very special offer just for you…
- You’re invited! Get 20% off your purchase today.
- For a limited time only: Get XYZ at an unbelievable price!
- Hurry! Only a few hours left to get this exclusive offer!
- Today only: Get XYZ at an unbelievable price!
- Just for you: An exclusive offer from XYZ
- Psst… we’ve got a secret offer just for you!
Curiosity Subject Lines
People are curious by nature and will often take action to satisfy their curiosity. If you can pique the curiosity of your recipients with your email subject line, you will be more likely to get your email opened.
Here are some examples of curiosity email subject lines:
- You won’t believe what we have in store for you!
- This just might be the best thing since sliced bread…
- Get ready to be blown away!
- Don’t Open This Email!
- We guarantee you’ll love what we have in store for you!
- You’re not going to believe this!
- Hold on to your seat! This is going to be good…
- I bet you can’t guess what this email is about…
- Don’t open till you’re ready for a good surprise!
- We don’t usually do this, but…
Humor Subject Lines
People love to laugh and will often take action to satisfy their need for humor. If you can make your recipients laugh with your email subject line, you will be more likely to get your email opened.
Here are some examples of humor email subject lines:
- This might be the funniest thing you’ve ever read…
- Since we can’t all be perfect, here’s a funny story about me…
- I’m not even sure if this is funny, but I’m laughing anyway…
- Swipe right on us!
- I couldn’t stop laughing when I saw this!
- You’re going to crack up when you see this!
- Boom shakalaka! You won’t believe what happened next…
- I’m dying laughing – you have to see this!
- Check out what happened to me today… HILARIOUS!
- You will not believe what I just found out!
Personalization Subject Lines
People love to feel special and will often take action when they feel that they are being treated as such. If you can personalize your email subject line, you will be more likely to get your email opened.
Here are some examples of personalization email subject lines:
- John, we have something special just for you!
- Mary, check out this exclusive offer just for you!
- Hey there, first-time customer! Get XYZ at an unbelievable price!
- Welcome back, valued customer! Get XYZ at an unbelievable price!
- You free this Friday night? We have the perfect plans for you…
- Thanks for being a loyal customer! Get XYZ at an unbelievable price!
- Happy Birthday! Here’s a special offer just for you…
- 68. It’s been a while since we’ve seen you – we’ve missed you!
- We noticed you haven’t been active lately – here’s something to get you back in the game!
- Congrats on your new job! Here’s a little something to help you celebrate…
Vanity Subject Lines
Vanity is another effective emotion that you can leverage to get your email opened.
People love to feel important and will often take action when they feel that their ego is being stroked. If you can make your recipients feel good about themselves with your email subject line, you will be more likely to get your email opened.
Here are some examples of vanity email subject lines:
- Don’t use XYZ until you read this!
- Your business will definitely blow up if you use this one simple trick…
- Here’s how you can be a better version of yourself…
- Ready to take your business to the next level?
- Are you using XYZ to its full potential?
- Age-defying secrets that nobody wants you to know about…
- Get the perfect body without breaking a sweat!
- You’re not living your best life until you try XYZ…
- The one thing you need to do to be successful…
- You will look breathtaking in XYZ!
Questions Subject Lines
Questions are a great way to get your email opened because they require the recipient to take action in order to satisfy their curiosity.
People love to feel like they are part of a conversation and will often take action when they feel that they are being included. If you can make your recipients feel like you are talking to them with your email subject line, you will be more likely to get your email opened.
Here are some examples of questions email subject lines:
- Can we talk?
- Struggling to find the perfect XYZ?
- Do you want to make an extra $1,000 per month?
- Are you free for coffee tomorrow?
- Got a minute?
- Quick question…
- Can I ask you for a favor?
- Do you have a sec?
- Can I pick your brain?
- I need your help…
Retargeting Subject Lines
If you have previously sent an email to someone and they did not open it, you can retarget them with a new email with a different subject line. This is a great way to improve your chances of getting your email opened because you are able to customize your message specifically for the recipient.
Here are some examples of retargeting email subject lines:
- We noticed you didn’t open our last email…
- Here’s what you missed in our last email…
- Did you see our last email?
- Our latest email just for you…
- You might have missed this…
- Hey, forgot something?
- Did you know we offer XYZ?
- Still struggling to boost your sales
- Your dropshipping masterclass is waiting…
- Have you seen our latest blog post?
Subject Lines That Trigger Greed
Greed is another powerful emotion that can be leveraged to get your email opened.
People are often motivated by the prospect of making more money and will take action when they feel that they can improve their financial situation. If you can make your recipients feel like they can make more money by opening your email, you will be more likely to get your email opened.
Here are some examples of greed email subject lines:
- How to make an extra $1,000 per month…
- The secrets to becoming a millionaire…
- How to retire early…
- Invest in XYZ and double your money!
- New stock tip – don’t miss this!
- Make money while you sleep!
- Finally, a way to make money that actually works…
- You won’t believe how easy it is to make money with this…
- The one simple secret to making more money…
- Here’s what self help authors don’t want you to know…
Scarcity Subject Lines
Scarcity is one of the most powerful psychological triggers. Use it in your email subject lines to create a sense of urgency and encourage people to open your emails.
Here are some excellent examples of scarcity email subject lines:
- Only 5 spots left…
- Last chance to get XYZ…
- This offer expires soon…
- Hurry, before it’s too late!
- Don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity…
- Time is running out…
- 150 others are already ahead of you…
- Claim your spot before someone else does…
- Only 2 spots left in my mastermind group…
- Get in on this while you still can!
Social Proof Subject Lines
While social proof is not technically an emotion, it’s still a powerful psychological trigger that can be used to get your email opened.
Social proof is the idea that people will do what others are doing. If you can show your recipients that other people are opening your email, they will be more likely to open your email as well.
Here are some examples of social proof email subject lines:
- John Smith just joined our newsletter…
- Mary Jones was just featured in our latest blog post…
- ABC Corporation just increased their sales by 20% using XYZ…
- Don’t just take our word for it.
- Find out why everyone is talking about XYZ…
- See what all the fuss is about…
- We’re not the only ones who think XYZ is great…
- John just increased his revenue by 150% using our simple trick…
- Discover what our most successful customers are doing to get ahead…
- See how these 10 businesses increased their sales by using XYZ…
Authority Subject Lines
People are more likely to take action when they feel like they are being told what to do by an authority figure. You can use this psychological trigger in your email subject lines to get people to open your emails.
Here are some examples of authority email subject lines:
- Get more done in less time with these productivity hacks from Tim Ferriss…
- 10 things you can learn from Elon Musk about XYZ…
- Warren Buffet’s simple secret to success…
- How to be as successful as Bill Gates…
- Steve Jobs’ one simple rule for XYZ…
- The best advice I ever got from Richard Branson…
- Tony Robbins’ secret to success…
- Oprah’s simple rule for a happier life…
- What I learned from Dalai Lama about XYZ…
- How to be as productive as Tim Ferriss…
Incentivized Subject Lines
Providing incentives is a great way to get people to take action. If you can offer your recipients something of value in exchange for opening your email, they will be more likely to do it.
Here are some examples of incentive email subject lines:
- Download my free ebook…
- Get my free video training series…
- Claim your free copy of XYZ…
- Get access to my exclusive members-only website…
- Receive my free daily email newsletter…
- Get my free weekly tips on XYZ…
- Subscribe to my YouTube channel and get XYZ…
- Follow me on social media and get XYZ…
- Join my affiliate program and earn XYZ…
- Get my free course on XYZ…
Straightforward Subject Lines
Sometimes, the best way to get someone to do something is to ask them directly. So, in the interest of brevity and clarity, sometimes the best email subject line is a “boring” subject line. The only requirement, in this case, is that the email should provide value and convey something important to the recipient.
Here are some examples of straightforward email subject lines:
- [Company Name] April 2022 Newsletter
- Here’s that discount you asked for
- Happy holidays from us!
- 10 Simple Tips for a More Productive Day
- Webinar invitation: Learn how to encash your skills
- Learn How to Get More Done in Less Time
- The Art of Saying No: How to Decline Requests Without Feeling Guilty
- Take $15 off your order of $50 or more
- Start Using These 5 Ways to Simplify Your Life
- 3 Strategies for Overcoming Procrastination
Season Subject Lines
Seasonality can not only help you decide what type of emails to send, but it may also assist you in creating interesting subject lines that will attract readers. Being timely and seasonally relevant to your subscribers is one of the key aspects of writing high-converting subject lines.
Here are some of our favorite season subject lines:
- Ends at midnight! Fall 50% SALE happening now
- Don’t miss these AMAZING Black Friday deals!
- Summer is here and so is our summer collection – shop now!
- Trick or treat? Leave us an honest review and get a $10 gift card!
- You don’t wanna miss our annual winter sale
How to Send a Successful Email Campaign
Now that you have 165 of the best email subject lines to choose from, let’s look at some high-quality Gmail productivity apps to rock your marketing email campaigns.
Try MailKing, this email marketing software app to quickly send out your mass email campaigns with mail merge, or use an automated email list builder to help you determine all your email contacts to send an email blast to.
You can also access this free and professional email template library to select the most eye pleasing emails to send your audience, and you can even format email subject lines to help your message stand out with different fonts.
To look at over 50 free (or free trial) email productivity tools, visit cloudHQ’s Chrome extensions and enjoy being more effective with your email communications.
Being armed with the right apps and the best email subject lines, you possess some incredibly good guidance to create your own high-converting email subject lines.