{"id":9042,"date":"2025-06-10T02:22:48","date_gmt":"2025-06-10T02:22:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aderonkebamidele.com\/blog\/?p=9042"},"modified":"2025-06-10T02:22:50","modified_gmt":"2025-06-10T02:22:50","slug":"how-to-write-subject-lines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aderonkebamidele.com\/blog\/how-to-write-subject-lines\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Write Subject Lines That Get Opened"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"116\" data-end=\"231\"><strong>How to Write Subject Lines That Get Opened<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"116\" data-end=\"231\">You can write the most valuable email in the world\u2026<br data-start=\"167\" data-end=\"170\" \/>But if your subject line flops, <strong data-start=\"202\" data-end=\"230\">no one will ever read it<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"233\" data-end=\"402\">The subject line is the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gatekeeper\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">gatekeeper<\/a> of your email marketing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aderonkebamidele.com\/blog\/setting-smart-goals-for-social-media\/\">success<\/a>. It\u2019s the first thing your audience sees, and it determines whether they\u2019ll click <em data-start=\"383\" data-end=\"389\">open<\/em> or <em data-start=\"393\" data-end=\"401\">delete<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"404\" data-end=\"435\">In this post, we\u2019ll break down:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"436\" data-end=\"609\">\n<li data-start=\"436\" data-end=\"478\">\n<p data-start=\"438\" data-end=\"478\">What makes a subject line irresistible<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"479\" data-end=\"525\">\n<p data-start=\"481\" data-end=\"525\">Real-world formulas and examples that work<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"526\" data-end=\"554\">\n<p data-start=\"528\" data-end=\"554\">Common mistakes to avoid<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"555\" data-end=\"609\">\n<p data-start=\"557\" data-end=\"609\">Pro tips to boost your open rates \u2014 starting today<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"611\" data-end=\"654\">Let\u2019s make sure your emails get noticed. \ud83d\udc40<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"656\" data-end=\"659\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"661\" data-end=\"699\">\u00a0Why Subject Lines Matter So Much<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"701\" data-end=\"820\">Your email subject line is like the headline of a blog post or ad. It\u2019s there to <strong data-start=\"782\" data-end=\"819\">grab attention and earn the click<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"822\" data-end=\"985\">According to Mailchimp, average open rates range between <strong data-start=\"879\" data-end=\"890\">17%\u201328%<\/strong>, depending on your industry. But with the right subject line, you can blow past those numbers.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"987\" data-end=\"1091\">It\u2019s not about tricking readers \u2014 it\u2019s about <strong data-start=\"1032\" data-end=\"1090\">sparking interest, offering value, or creating urgency<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"1093\" data-end=\"1096\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"1098\" data-end=\"1138\">\u2705 The Anatomy of a Great Subject Line<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1140\" data-end=\"1192\">To write subject lines that get opened, you need to:<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1194\" data-end=\"1222\">1. <strong data-start=\"1201\" data-end=\"1220\">Spark Curiosity<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1223\" data-end=\"1296\">Give just enough info to pique interest \u2014 but don\u2019t give everything away.<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1298\" data-end=\"1387\">\n<li data-start=\"1298\" data-end=\"1341\">\n<p data-start=\"1300\" data-end=\"1341\">\u201cYou\u2019re making this mistake right now\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1342\" data-end=\"1387\">\n<p data-start=\"1344\" data-end=\"1387\">\u201cA weird tip I learned from a 7-year-old\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-start=\"1389\" data-end=\"1426\">2. <strong data-start=\"1396\" data-end=\"1424\">Be Clear About the Value<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1427\" data-end=\"1487\">Tell people exactly what they\u2019ll get if they open the email.<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1489\" data-end=\"1593\">\n<li data-start=\"1489\" data-end=\"1539\">\n<p data-start=\"1491\" data-end=\"1539\">\u201c5 headline formulas that triple your traffic\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1540\" data-end=\"1593\">\n<p data-start=\"1542\" data-end=\"1593\">\u201cHow to grow your list to 1,000 subscribers fast\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-start=\"1595\" data-end=\"1634\">3. <strong data-start=\"1602\" data-end=\"1632\">Create Urgency or Scarcity<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1635\" data-end=\"1697\">Use deadlines or limited offers to encourage immediate action.<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1699\" data-end=\"1783\">\n<li data-start=\"1699\" data-end=\"1743\">\n<p data-start=\"1701\" data-end=\"1743\">\u201cEnds tonight: Your last chance to join\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1744\" data-end=\"1783\">\n<p data-start=\"1746\" data-end=\"1783\">\u201cOnly 3 spots left in the workshop\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-start=\"1785\" data-end=\"1817\">4. <strong data-start=\"1792\" data-end=\"1815\">Add Personalization<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1818\" data-end=\"1898\">Include the subscriber\u2019s name, location, or interests (if your ESP supports it).<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1900\" data-end=\"1999\">\n<li data-start=\"1900\" data-end=\"1950\">\n<p data-start=\"1902\" data-end=\"1950\">\u201cSarah, here\u2019s your content calendar template.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1951\" data-end=\"1999\">\n<p data-start=\"1953\" data-end=\"1999\">\u201cA special offer for freelancers in Chicago\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"2001\" data-end=\"2004\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"2006\" data-end=\"2042\">\u00a07 Proven Subject Line Formulas<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2044\" data-end=\"2119\">Here are plug-and-play structures you can adapt to your brand and audience:<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"2121\" data-end=\"2154\">1. <strong data-start=\"2128\" data-end=\"2152\">The \u201cHow To\u201d Formula<\/strong><\/h3>\n<blockquote data-start=\"2155\" data-end=\"2278\">\n<p data-start=\"2157\" data-end=\"2278\">\u201cHow to [Achieve X] Without [Frustrating Thing]\u201d<br data-start=\"2205\" data-end=\"2208\" \/>Example: <em data-start=\"2217\" data-end=\"2278\">How to write high-converting emails without sounding salesy<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h3 data-start=\"2280\" data-end=\"2310\">2. <strong data-start=\"2287\" data-end=\"2308\">The Question Hook<\/strong><\/h3>\n<blockquote data-start=\"2311\" data-end=\"2399\">\n<p data-start=\"2313\" data-end=\"2399\">\u201cAre you [struggling with X]?\u201d<br data-start=\"2343\" data-end=\"2346\" \/>Example: <em data-start=\"2355\" data-end=\"2399\">Still fighting with your email open rates?<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h3 data-start=\"2401\" data-end=\"2429\">3. <strong data-start=\"2408\" data-end=\"2427\">The Number List<\/strong><\/h3>\n<blockquote data-start=\"2430\" data-end=\"2519\">\n<p data-start=\"2432\" data-end=\"2519\">\u201c[#] Ways to [Achieve a Benefit]\u201d<br data-start=\"2465\" data-end=\"2468\" \/>Example: <em data-start=\"2477\" data-end=\"2519\">3 ways to grow your list using Instagram<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h3 data-start=\"2521\" data-end=\"2547\">4. <strong data-start=\"2528\" data-end=\"2545\">The Quick Win<\/strong><\/h3>\n<blockquote data-start=\"2548\" data-end=\"2623\">\n<p data-start=\"2550\" data-end=\"2623\">\u201cGet [Result] in [Timeframe]\u201d<br data-start=\"2579\" data-end=\"2582\" \/>Example: <em data-start=\"2591\" data-end=\"2623\">Double your opens in 5 minutes<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h3 data-start=\"2625\" data-end=\"2654\">5. <strong data-start=\"2632\" data-end=\"2652\">The FOMO Trigger<\/strong><\/h3>\n<blockquote data-start=\"2655\" data-end=\"2758\">\n<p data-start=\"2657\" data-end=\"2758\">\u201cDon\u2019t miss [Event\/Offer] it\u2019s almost gone\u201d<br data-start=\"2702\" data-end=\"2705\" \/>Example: <em data-start=\"2714\" data-end=\"2758\">Only 6 hours left: Grab your free download<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h3 data-start=\"2760\" data-end=\"2793\">6. <strong data-start=\"2767\" data-end=\"2791\">The Unexpected Twist<\/strong><\/h3>\n<blockquote data-start=\"2794\" data-end=\"2876\">\n<p data-start=\"2796\" data-end=\"2876\">\u201cWhat my dog taught me about email marketing\u201d<br data-start=\"2841\" data-end=\"2844\" \/>Breaks pattern, sparks curiosity<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h3 data-start=\"2878\" data-end=\"2916\">7. <strong data-start=\"2885\" data-end=\"2914\">The \u201cSecret\u201d Subject Line<\/strong><\/h3>\n<blockquote data-start=\"2917\" data-end=\"3013\">\n<p data-start=\"2919\" data-end=\"3013\">\u201cThe subject line that boosted my opens by 42%\u201d<br data-start=\"2966\" data-end=\"2969\" \/>Everyone loves a secret hack or insider info<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<hr data-start=\"3015\" data-end=\"3018\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"3020\" data-end=\"3057\">\u274c 5 Subject Line Mistakes to Avoid<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"3059\" data-end=\"3103\">Avoid these traps that kill your open rates:<\/p>\n<ol data-start=\"3105\" data-end=\"3469\">\n<li data-start=\"3105\" data-end=\"3168\">\n<p data-start=\"3108\" data-end=\"3168\"><strong data-start=\"3108\" data-end=\"3128\">Being too vague:<\/strong> \u201cNewsletter #57\u201d (boring and unclear)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3169\" data-end=\"3248\">\n<p data-start=\"3172\" data-end=\"3248\"><strong data-start=\"3172\" data-end=\"3192\">Using clickbait:<\/strong> \u201cYou won\u2019t believe this!\u201d (annoying if it\u2019s not true)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3249\" data-end=\"3311\">\n<p data-start=\"3252\" data-end=\"3311\"><strong data-start=\"3252\" data-end=\"3278\">Overusing CAPS or !!!:<\/strong> Looks spammy and gets filtered<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3312\" data-end=\"3384\">\n<p data-start=\"3315\" data-end=\"3384\"><strong data-start=\"3315\" data-end=\"3345\">Including too many emojis:<\/strong> One can help. Three looks desperate.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3385\" data-end=\"3469\">\n<p data-start=\"3388\" data-end=\"3469\"><strong data-start=\"3388\" data-end=\"3415\">Ignoring your audience:<\/strong> What works for SaaS won\u2019t work for parenting bloggers<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<hr data-start=\"3471\" data-end=\"3474\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"3476\" data-end=\"3532\">\u00a0A\/B Testing Subject Lines (So You Know What Works)<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"3534\" data-end=\"3637\">Most email platforms like Mailchimp, ConvertKit, and ActiveCampaign allow <strong data-start=\"3608\" data-end=\"3636\">subject line A\/B testing<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3639\" data-end=\"3651\">Try testing:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3652\" data-end=\"3765\">\n<li data-start=\"3652\" data-end=\"3677\">\n<p data-start=\"3654\" data-end=\"3677\">Curiosity vs. clarity<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3678\" data-end=\"3700\">\n<p data-start=\"3680\" data-end=\"3700\">Emoji vs. no emoji<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3701\" data-end=\"3733\">\n<p data-start=\"3703\" data-end=\"3733\">Short vs. long subject lines<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3734\" data-end=\"3765\">\n<p data-start=\"3736\" data-end=\"3765\">Personalization vs. generic<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3767\" data-end=\"3859\"><strong data-start=\"3767\" data-end=\"3775\">Tip:<\/strong> Test one variable at a time and give your list enough volume to reach significance.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"3861\" data-end=\"3864\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"3866\" data-end=\"3912\">\u00a0Subject Line Best Practices (Quick Tips)<\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"3914\" data-end=\"4226\">\n<li data-start=\"3914\" data-end=\"3973\">\n<p data-start=\"3916\" data-end=\"3973\"><strong data-start=\"3916\" data-end=\"3947\">Keep it under 50 characters<\/strong> (for mobile visibility)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3974\" data-end=\"4028\">\n<p data-start=\"3976\" data-end=\"4028\"><strong data-start=\"3976\" data-end=\"3996\">Use action words<\/strong>: boost, grab, build, discover<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4029\" data-end=\"4080\">\n<p data-start=\"4031\" data-end=\"4080\"><strong data-start=\"4031\" data-end=\"4052\">Write 10 versions<\/strong> \u2014 then pick the strongest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4081\" data-end=\"4154\">\n<p data-start=\"4083\" data-end=\"4154\"><strong data-start=\"4083\" data-end=\"4109\">Think like your reader<\/strong>: what would <em data-start=\"4122\" data-end=\"4127\">you<\/em> open in a crowded inbox?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4155\" data-end=\"4226\">\n<p data-start=\"4157\" data-end=\"4226\"><strong data-start=\"4157\" data-end=\"4175\">Match the tone<\/strong> of your brand (casual, professional, quirky, etc.)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"4228\" data-end=\"4231\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"4233\" data-end=\"4286\">\u00a010 High-Converting Subject Lines to Inspire You<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"4288\" data-end=\"4316\">Feel free to steal or remix:<\/p>\n<ol data-start=\"4318\" data-end=\"4772\">\n<li data-start=\"4318\" data-end=\"4362\">\n<p data-start=\"4321\" data-end=\"4362\">\u201cYour free email swipe file is here \u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4363\" data-end=\"4402\">\n<p data-start=\"4366\" data-end=\"4402\">\u201cWe made this just for you, Sarah.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4403\" data-end=\"4454\">\n<p data-start=\"4406\" data-end=\"4454\">\u201cHow I grew my list from 0 to 10k in 6 months\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4455\" data-end=\"4507\">\n<p data-start=\"4458\" data-end=\"4507\">\u201cYou\u2019re invited: A masterclass in email growth\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4508\" data-end=\"4557\">\n<p data-start=\"4511\" data-end=\"4557\">\u201cOnly 3 spots left (and you\u2019re on the list)\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4558\" data-end=\"4579\">\n<p data-start=\"4561\" data-end=\"4579\">\u201cA quick favor?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4580\" data-end=\"4630\">\n<p data-start=\"4583\" data-end=\"4630\">\u201cNew strategy I haven\u2019t shared anywhere else.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4631\" data-end=\"4682\">\n<p data-start=\"4634\" data-end=\"4682\">\u201cWant more clicks? Try this subject line hack\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4683\" data-end=\"4731\">\n<p data-start=\"4686\" data-end=\"4731\">\u201cRead this before you send your next email.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4732\" data-end=\"4772\">\n<p data-start=\"4736\" data-end=\"4772\">\u201c Today only: My best freebie yet\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<hr data-start=\"4774\" data-end=\"4777\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"4779\" data-end=\"4835\">\u00a0Final Thoughts: Think Like a Human, Not a Marketer<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"4837\" data-end=\"4910\">If your subject line feels robotic, dull, or salesy, it won\u2019t get opened.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4912\" data-end=\"5032\">The best subject lines feel like they\u2019re from a <strong data-start=\"4960\" data-end=\"4975\">real person<\/strong>, solving a real problem, not a brand pushing a product.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How to Write Subject Lines That Get Opened You can write the most valuable email in the world\u2026But if your subject line flops, no one will ever read it. The&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":9046,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","_mo_disable_npp":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9042","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-email-marketing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aderonkebamidele.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9042","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aderonkebamidele.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aderonkebamidele.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aderonkebamidele.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aderonkebamidele.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9042"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.aderonkebamidele.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9042\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9047,"href":"https:\/\/www.aderonkebamidele.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9042\/revisions\/9047"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aderonkebamidele.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9046"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aderonkebamidele.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9042"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aderonkebamidele.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9042"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aderonkebamidele.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9042"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}