How to Write Good Email Subjects

The subject line of an email is the first impression you make on your readers , and as they say, you never get a second chance to make a good first impression. There are over 300 billion emails sent every day, so standing out in the inbox is a challenge, but not impossible . And part of that is done by writing good email subject lines .

How many times have we decided to open an email just because the subject line caught our attention ? Maybe it made us curious, promised to solve a problem, or simply connected with our emotions. On the other hand, how many emails have we ignored because their subject line seemed generic, irrelevant, or even suspicious? This is the power (or risk) of email subjects.

In this article, we teach you how to write compelling subject lines, capture your readers’ attention, and test different approaches to see what works best.

How to Write Eye-Catching Email Subject Lines

The first step to writing effective email subject lines is to understand what makes them stand out. A good subject line grabs attention, conveys the value of the content, and motivates the reader to open the email. Here’s how to do it.

1. Be clear and specific

Clarity is paramount when it comes to subject lines. Readers should know exactly what to expect when they open your email. Vague or confusing subject lines are often ignored, while clear and specific ones build trust and curiosity.

Example:

• Generic subject: “What’s new this month.”
• Clear subject: “5 B2B marketing trends you should know about today.”

Why it works: A clear subject line shows that we respect our readers’ time by quickly communicating the value of the content. According to a study by Campaign Monitor, specific subject lines are 26% more likely to be opened.

2. Use numbers and lists

Numbers and lists grab attention because they are easy to process and promise structured, digestible content. This approach is especially useful in educational or informational emails.

Example:

• “3 ways to optimize your email marketing campaigns.”
• “10 essential tools for B2B marketing”.

Why it works: Numbers create expectations about the content and generate curiosity . They also convey a sense of concreteness and organization.

3. Appeal to emotions

Emotions are a powerful driver of action. An issue that touches on an emotion, whether it’s curiosity, urgency, surprise or empathy, is more likely to generate an opening.

Example:

• “Are you making this mistake in your email campaigns?”
• “Discover the secret that will increase your conversions by 50%.”

Why it works: Emotions spark interest and connect with readers  cambodia email list on a more personal level, making them more likely to engage with the email.

How to grab attention with email subjects

Standing out in the inbox is an art that combines creativity, psychology, and  Is affiliate marketing a pyramid scheme? and other affiliate myths debunked knowledge of our audience . Here we explore specific strategies to make our subject lines shine.1. PersonalizationPersonalization goes beyond including  facebook users the recipient’s name . It’s about adapting the subject line to the context, interests, and needs of each reader.

Example:

• “Juan, here are the strategies your business needs.”
• “Exclusive ideas for technology companies.”

Why does it work? According to a study by Statista, emails with personalized subject lines are 50% more likely to be opened. Readers feel that the content was designed specifically for them.

2. Create a sense of urgency

Urgency is a tool to motivate immediate action. Words like “today,” “last chance,” or “now” encourage readers to open the email before it’s too late.

Example :

• “Last day to access this exclusive discount.”
• “Registration for our webinar ends today.”

Why it works: Urgency triggers FOMO ( fear of missing out ) , a psychological response that creates a sense of priority.

3. Arouse curiosity

Topics that generate curiosity without revealing too much can be irresistible to readers. The key is to create a little mystery that motivates them to discover more.

Example:

• “The secret behind the most successful campaigns.”
• “What do leading companies do that you don’t?”

Why does it work? Curiosity is intrinsic to human beings. By generating questions in the reader’s mind, we increase the likelihood that they will open the email to find answers.