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In a fast paced world where almost every aspect of life is largely dominated by the influence of the Internet, it has been found that the social norms and rules when it comes to composing a simple email come unbidden. The fact is, when it comes to penning an electronic letter, the rules are more relaxed and unconventional as opposed to writing a physical letter which would require rules in composition and tone depending on the kind of letter you are writing. But although the rules of electronic letters may a bit more flexible, this does not mean they can be dispensed with altogether.
True enough, the standards of composing emails may a bit more casual yet when it comes to corporate issues, matters and letters, you would want to give your email a professional veneer. And when it comes to this, one of the often neglected aspects is choosing an appropriate email subject line. Writing subject headers was never a dilemma for us before the existence of electronic mail as it required none, but now that it is we are presented with a new age quandary of coming up with fitting email subject headers. More often than not, we save writing email subject lines for last leaving us with a rather haphazardly and hurriedly done email subject line—a rather distressing thought considering that your subject lines are the main determining factor of whether your email gets opened or not (especially those unsolicited emails that come from marketers as a marketing ploy). So, if you have found yourself frequently in this kind of predicament, then take a gander at the golden rules below in what would best aid you when it comes to creating email subject lines.
6 Rules to Create Effective Email Subject Lines
1. Know Your Objective
In essence, a subject line condenses what your email is about and distills it into a few words. This is why you should write it initially before the rest of the email to avoid from veering off point. Keep your marketing program in mind and engender your email subject line surrounding the precepts and goals of your marketing program. Your end goal does not necessarily mean high open rates but it does make subscribers take a specific action. Identify this singular action and make the components of your email (especially your subject line) carve a clear path towards the objective.
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2. Vital Information First
Mentioning the most significant information should come first when it comes to the subject line and the email body copy. Unlike physical letters, people would often skim through the contents of your email and might miss important information you want to be relayed. Additionally, you only get one shot in making a lasting first impression. Convey what is imperative in one gripping line that will compel the recipient to notice your email and open it.
3. Study the Media
Stellar subject lines can achieve three things: captivate, communicate and convey all in a small amount of space. Elaboration is done in the content of the email while it is the subject header that briefly gives the reader a sneak preview of what they are to expect. Observe your local newspaper and how they craft their headlines; more often than not they are short and intriguing enough to entice people into reading the entire article. Likewise, so should your subject header as it should state what your readers can expect, what is in it and what you want them to do.
4. Lead Do Not Mislead
Although your subject headers should capture your audience’s attention and should be magnetic enough to create a sense of urgency, it is equally imperative that at all times, you stay truthful with what you are promising to deliver and intending to deliver. Do not compromise your company’s dignity simply because you want your recipient to read further by fabricating stories, making grand claims, and stretching the truth. Doing it this way will make people render your future emails as click baits and would no sooner opt out from reading your entire email.
5. Personalise
Personalizing emails is a surefire way to capture your recipient’s interest as they will think that the email is really intended for them and is not just some email drive automatically generated and sent to everyone. Use their names in the subject headers, and if you have enough information about your intended recipients, speak in their language, include what interests them from information you have gathered in their past purchases and create a marketing scheme that may entice your recipient not only to read through your mail but to do a future business with you.
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6. Test
Test, test and test again which email subject headers work best and which ones get opened and read through. Experiment and do not stick to a single formula as this is the best way to know which kind of email subject header your recipients and potential customers are more receptive to.
See also: Power Your Social Media Management with Effective Email Marketing
