A Compelling Email Subject Line Checklist

14 September, 2013
A Compelling Email Subject Line Checklist

Let’s face it, the subject line of your email will determine whether or not your subscribers click on it. For this reason you need to understand how to craft effective subject lines, or none of your email campaigns will be successful.
Here is a checklist of items your subject line must have to be effective. When writing your next email campaign, make sure to keep these in mind.

The Promise

Your subject line must promise the reader information that they need NOW. Anything vague here in the way of what you have to offer the reader will be detrimental to your results. Make a promise that will positively impact their lives. Just be sure you can back this promise up.

Capture You Reader’s Interest

Any form of writing, whether it’s a novel or a short subject line, requires a creative imagination. Tap into yours and write subject lines that immediately capture the reader’s interest. You might use humor or suspense or take a current news item and turn it on its head. The more interest you capture, the more clicks you’ll get.

Offer a Solution to a Problem

I don’t know about you, but when I have a problem and I meet someone who has the solution, I stop and listen. Some of the most powerful email subject lines ever written were the ones that offered a real solution to the reader’s problem.

A Strong Call to Action

Sometimes people actually need to be told what to do. In marketing, this is what’s known as the “Call to Action.” Phrases like “Watch this…” “Read this…” “Find Out…” and “Learn how…” are some examples of how you might shape your call to action to get your reader to take specific action – in this case – opening the email to read on further. Seems so simple but it can have powerful results for your campaign.
Remember to avoid anything gimmicky in your subject lines and always remember your subscriber is a real person. Offer them real help and valuable information in a creative way, and you will be on the path to email marketing success!

About Jason Lexell

Jason is the founder of Digital Harvest. He’s spent nearly 2 decades helping companies to develop a competitive advantage online. During that time he’s worked with software firms, industrial distributors, service companies, attorneys, physicians and other professionals to grow using the web. His passion is helping companies to better leverage the web as a tool to fuel new customer acquisition and profitability.

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