Newsletter Subject Line Examples for Open Rates [Best Practices & Real Examples]

Subject lines are an important aspect of any newsletter campaign. They are the first thing that a recipient sees when they receive an email, and they can often determine whether or not the email is opened. In fact, studies show that 47% of email recipients decide whether or not to open an email based on the subject line alone. Therefore, it is crucial to craft subject lines that are engaging and effective in order to increase open rates.

In this article, we will discuss best practices for writing newsletter subject lines, as well as provide examples of effective subject lines that can increase open rates of your newsletter. We will also provide examples of subject lines to avoid.

Best Practices for Writing Newsletter Subject Lines

Before we dive into specific examples of effective newsletter subject lines, let’s first discuss some best practices for writing subject lines that can increase open rates.

1. Keep it short and sweet: When it comes to subject lines, brevity is key. A study by Retention Science found that subject lines with six to 10 words have the highest open rates. Therefore, it’s important to keep your subject line short and to the point. Avoid using lengthy or wordy subject lines that may cause the recipient to lose interest.
2. Use clear and specific language: Your subject line should clearly and concisely convey the purpose of your email. Use language that is specific to the content of your newsletter, and avoid vague or generic language. For example, instead of using a subject line like “Newsletter for April,” try something more specific like “Top 5 April Recipes You Don’t Want to Miss!”
3. Personalize the subject line: Personalizing your subject line can also increase open rates. In fact, personalized subject lines are 26% more likely to be opened than non-personalized subject lines. Use the recipient’s name or other personal information to make the subject line more engaging and relevant to them. For example, “Sarah, Don’t Miss Our Exclusive Sale.”
4. Avoid using spam trigger words: Using certain words in your subject line can trigger spam filters and cause your email to end up in the recipient’s spam folder. Avoid using words like “free,” “buy now,” “act now,” or other sales-y language that may be associated with spam emails.
5. Test and track your subject lines: Finally, it’s important to test and track your subject lines to see what works best for your audience. Try different subject lines and track the open rates to see which ones are most effective. You can also conduct A/B testing by sending two different subject lines to different segments of your audience to see which one performs better. A/B testing allows you to send two versions of your email to a small portion of your mailing list, with different subject lines, and then track which version performs better in terms of open rates. You can then send the winning subject line to the rest of your list. Additionally, using email marketing software with analytics and tracking features can give you insights into the performance of your subject lines and other email metrics.
6. Provide value: Offer clear benefits or information in your subject lines. This could be a discount, free shipping, exclusive content, or useful tips and advice. This helps to entice the recipient to open the email and engage with your content.

By following these best practices, you can create effective newsletter subject lines that increase open rates and engagement with your audience. Remember to also avoid subject lines that are spammy, manipulative, or unclear, and to provide value to your audience in your subject lines.

Read Newsletter Content Strategy Best Practices

Examples of Effective Newsletter Subject Lines

Now that we’ve discussed best practices for writing newsletter subject lines, let’s take a look at some specific examples of subject lines that can increase open rates.

1. “5 Tips to Improve Your Productivity“: This subject line is short, specific, and offers a clear benefit to the recipient. It also leaves some mystery, as the recipient will need to open the email to find out what the tips are.
2. “Limited Time Offer: 20% off Your Next Purchase“: This subject line creates a sense of urgency and offers a clear benefit to the recipient. It also includes a specific discount amount, which can be more effective than vague language like “big savings” or “discounts.”
3. “Breaking News: New Features Added to Our Product“: This subject line is attention-grabbing and creates a sense of excitement. It also clearly conveys the purpose of the email and provides value to the recipient by announcing new features.
4. “Don’t Miss Out on Our Exclusive Webinar“: This subject line creates a sense of exclusivity and encourages the recipient to take action. It also creates a sense of urgency by implying that the webinar is happening soon and the recipient could miss out if they don’t act quickly.
5. “Our Top 10 Picks for This Season“: This subject line creates curiosity and encourages the recipient to open the email to see what the top picks are. It also provides value by offering recommendations for the season.

Examples of Subject Lines to Avoid in Newsletter

While there are many effective subject lines that can increase open rates, there are also some subject lines that should be avoided. Here are some examples:

1. “Buy Now or Regret it Later“: This subject line uses aggressive language and may turn off the recipient. It can also be seen as spammy and trigger spam filters.
2. “You Won’t Believe What We’re Offering“: This subject line uses clickbait language and may feel manipulative to the recipient. It also doesn’t provide any clear information about the content of the email.
3. “Open Now for a Surprise“: This subject line is vague and doesn’t provide any information about the content of the email. It may also come across as spammy.
4. “Last Chance to Save Big“: This subject line creates a sense of urgency, but it may also be overused and feel gimmicky to the recipient. It also doesn’t provide any clear information about the content of the email.
5. “This is Not a Scam, We Promise“: This subject line may raise red flags for the recipient and make them question the legitimacy of the email. It’s best to avoid using language that may make the recipient skeptical or wary.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about newsletter subject lines

Conclusion

Crafting effective newsletter subject lines is crucial for increasing open rates and engaging with your audience. By following best practices such as keeping it short and sweet, using clear and specific language, personalizing the subject line, avoiding spam trigger words, and testing and tracking your subject lines, you can create subject lines that are more likely to be opened.

Remember to also provide value to your audience by offering clear benefits or information in your subject lines. And finally, avoid using subject lines that are spammy, manipulative, or unclear.

By following these tips and examples, you can create newsletter subject lines that are more effective and engaging, and ultimately lead to better open rates and engagement with your audience.

You may also like the following articles:

• How to Create Software Niche Website