Five Keys To Making Your Email Subject Lines Pop

When your business depends on your email marketing campaign, you need to do everything you can to get your subscribers to open your emails and read them. The subject line is your magic button to do just that.

Face it- you've done it yourself- the inbox is full, so to save time, you glance through the list and open only those with the most compelling subject lines. So what is the key to writing subject lines that get the attention?

Here are a few key strategies...

1. Add A Personal Touch - One of the easiest things you can do to prompt a reader to open an email is to use their name in the subject line. You've captured their first name on your opt-in page, right? (You should!) Using the custom field option in your auto-responder, add their first name to the subject line in the email. Even though your subscribers realize you are using this strategy, they still like seeing their name in print and that works to increase your open rates.

2. Tell them what's inside! The quickest way to get someone to open an email is to help them know it's worth their time. Use the subject line to let your reader know there is a clear benefit waiting for them. Tell them the message will save them time, money or effort. Let them know there is a gift waiting for them. It's critical, however, to avoid using the word "free" in your subject line or your email will likely wind up being flagged as "spam" and never see the inbox at all.

3. Create a sense of urgency. Use the subject line to tell your reader you have time-sensitive information waiting for them. Encourage them to open the email right away so they don't skip over it, intending to come back later. If they skip past it the first time, the odds are good they won't return to it at all.  It takes a bit of creativity when using this tactic to avoid the spam filters, but with a subject line stating a legitimate expiration date or the time and date of a special event, your email stands a greater chance of being read.

4. Make an announcement! The subject line is the perfect place to broadcast exciting news. If you have a new product, a fresh strategy or an upcoming conference, use the subject line of your email to announce it. Rather than trying to trick your reader into opening your message, just tell them what you have to say. For example, "Great new Software to Save You Time" will lead anyone with time management issues to check it out or "Join Me for this Teleseminar and Learn How to (fill in the blank) will entice a targeted prospect to read on.

5. Keep Them Guessing. Curiosity can be your ally when it comes to your subject lines. People are curious by nature so if your subject line causes your prospect to wonder what is inside, your open rates will increase.

One way to pique your prospect's interest is by using an unfinished statement like this, "You won't believe what I learned when I talked to . . ." You've just created curiosity with a statement like that and your reader will have trouble ignoring it.

Never doubt the potential of a powerful subject line. It's your first and best opportunity to enticing your readers into opening your emails.