Ensure subject lines are short and specific
Subject lines should preferably be ten words or fewer and, if you can, aim for seven.
According to Marketo Data, subject lines with seven or fewer words get opened more.
They should also be specific. For example, if you’re emailing a colleague for a project update, don’t title it “Checking in.” Rather say, “Checking in about [insert project name].”
To make sure your subject lines are hitting the mark, think about your:
- Recipient: Knowing who you’re emailing (e.g., CEO vs. sales rep) will help with messaging.
- Connection: Think of how to grab the receiver’s attention. For example, if you’re cold-emailing, mention a problem your product solves.
- Credibility: Spamming your prospect’s inbox with deceptive subject lines that encourage opens only causes distrust. Be honest — if it’s not a follow-up email, don’t act like it is.
