| The email subject line is the pivotal factor for | | | | • Super $avings on Cameras |
| whether or not your readers will actually open and | | | | • { New Cameras, get Them Now } |
| look at your email. It essentially works in the | | | | • New Cameras @ |
| same way as the title of a book or the headline | | | | 14. On Question Marks and Exclamation |
| of a news story. If you don’t put enough | | | | Points: You can use question marks and |
| effort in coming up with the right choice of | | | | exclamation points creatively to spark curiosity |
| words, chances are your email will end up in the | | | | and urgency among your subscribers. - |
| trash bin. | | | | “50% Off All Widgets?!” |
| Remember this: if you don’t make an | | | | 15. Suggest solutions: As an alternative to |
| impression with your first few words, your | | | | placing product or brand names in the subject, |
| readers will not bother with the rest of your | | | | consider subject lines that are solution oriented. |
| message. Studies show that only the first 45 | | | | For example, a site selling anti-Spyware software |
| characters of the subject line grab a reader’s | | | | might consider using a subject line like “How |
| attention. It is therefore crucial to spend some | | | | to get rid of Spyware Forever” rather than a |
| time developing and testing your subject line. | | | | product oriented subject such as “Brand New |
| Here are several easy dos and don’ts to | | | | Spyware Software Released.” |
| keep in mind as you begin to work on your email | | | | 16. Invite eager anticipation: Subject lines that |
| subject line. | | | | leave readers hanging with an … (an ellipsis) |
| DON’T | | | | suggest there is a continuation of the topic within |
| • Don’t let the subject line be too | | | | the body of the email. An example of this might |
| general. | | | | be “Checkout these new cameras…” or |
| • Don’t forget to state the benefits | | | | something similar. |
| for the reader. | | | | 17. Use the Recipient’s Name: Let’s |
| • Don’t allow your subject line to | | | | face it; we love to hear our name. Adding the |
| sound like the spam emails that are going around. | | | | recipient’s name to the subject line provides |
| • Don’t overlook style. Your subject | | | | the impression that the message is personalized |
| should be like an advertisement – clever, | | | | for them. However, avoid this tactic unless |
| informative and to the point. | | | | something in the email is personalized for this |
| • Don’t include any punctuation | | | | individual. People can easily recognize that without |
| (particularly exclamation points and question | | | | personalized content, their name on the subject |
| marks). | | | | line is just an automated gimmick. |
| • Don’t use the word "Free". Instead, | | | | 18. Be witty: Depending on your target |
| say "Gift with subscription." | | | | audience, make your subject lines witty and |
| • Don’t capitalize whole words. | | | | humorous to put a smile on your readers. |
| • Don’t use too many commands, | | | | 19. Don’t Be Gimmicky: If your subject |
| such as "Get," "Open," "Buy," "Save," or | | | | line is “How to Live Forever” and the |
| "Respond." | | | | content of your email is offering a new alternative |
| • Avoid “Hi” and “FYI”. | | | | health supplement, your readers will eventually |
| • Never decide on your subject at the | | | | see through your gimmicks. Be intriguing, but do |
| last minute before sending your email. | | | | not go overboard with your promises. |
| DO | | | | And here is the half idea. We said half because it |
| 1. Be specific. Remove the fluff and | | | | is not really an idea but a statement with a string |
| don’t beat around the bush. Simply state | | | | of questions at the end. |
| what the email is about. | | | | When you write your subject lines, you basically |
| 2. Keep It Short (preferably between 40-60 | | | | have 3 choices: |
| characters). | | | | 1. Share the news or make an |
| 3. Use Upper Case On The First Letter Of | | | | announcement. "EK shows affiliates how to write |
| Each Word – just like that. However, MAKE | | | | killer subject lines". |
| SURE YOU DO NOT USE ALL CAPS as this will | | | | 2. Bring out the curiosity of your readers. "EK |
| get your email labeled spam faster than you can | | | | gives affiliates this secret marketing strategy..." |
| click a mouse button. | | | | 3. Emphasize the benefit of opening your |
| 4. Make readers aware of specific benefits - | | | | email to the readers. “Discover tips for writing |
| "How To Write An Effective Business Plan". | | | | subject lines that will increase your affiliate |
| 5. Convey your message clearly and direct | | | | sales.” |
| to the point – “Three RSS Tips You Need | | | | Out of these 3 techniques, you will always be |
| To Know". | | | | most successful if you write subject lines that |
| 6. Use trigger words like “New”, | | | | state a clear benefit and tell the reader exactly |
| “Limited”, “Exclusive”, | | | | how they are going to save money, save time, |
| “Download” etc. People are always on the | | | | make their life easier, etc... by opening and looking |
| look out for a good deal or to be part of | | | | at your email. |
| something special. | | | | By stating a benefit and at the same time |
| 7. Push reader action by generating a sense | | | | attracting their curiosity, the chances that your |
| of urgency - "Final Chance To Grab Your | | | | readers will open your email will improve. |
| Exclusive Spot". | | | | “Discover this proven marketing strategy that |
| 8. Let it headline the contents of your email | | | | will increase your affiliate sales!” |
| newsletter. | | | | The key to writing effective subject lines is to |
| 9. Run your subject line through a content | | | | emphasize benefits by considering your product |
| checker and replace common spam words. | | | | or service from your customers' point of view... |
| 10. Test different subject lines to identify | | | | Will your readers benefit from reading your email? |
| your best performing keywords. | | | | What will your readers gain from your message? |
| 11. Top 10 Lists: There’s something so | | | | Will the product or service save them time? |
| attention grabbing about top 10 lists (or top 7, 13, | | | | Will it save them money? |
| or whatever). Quick, bite-size information is | | | | Will it improve the lives of your readers to some |
| preferred by most readers. A smart list delivers | | | | degree? |
| more value than endless paragraphs, even if they | | | | The subject line is too important to be set aside |
| contained the same information. | | | | for the last minute. Don’t let your spouse, kid |
| 12. Compound Topics: Combine as many | | | | or intern decide on it. Your subject line is the |
| topics, brands, or product names into the subject | | | | single most important element that will determine |
| line as possible. This way something might grab | | | | the success rate of your email promotion. So, |
| the reader’s attention. In order for this | | | | spend the time constructing the best subject lines |
| strategy to work, it’s important to keep the | | | | you can come up with. |
| subject line scan-friendly by breaking up the | | | | Continuous testing of your subject lines can easily |
| topics. A good way to do this is by using symbols | | | | double your open rate success within months and |
| like the “+” sign – “New Nike + | | | | that can lead to even more desirable results. Keep |
| Reebok + Adidas Shoes!” vs. “New Nike, | | | | track of your delivery, click, and conversion rates |
| Reebok, and Adidas Shoes”. | | | | on your email promotions and by just playing with |
| 13. Use Special Characters in order to | | | | a few words, you will see an improvement on |
| communicate ideas and create eye magnets. | | | | your sales. It is therefore worth repeating: spend |
| Below are some suggestions: | | | | the time improving your emails’ subject lines. |
| • New Cameras = Great Gifts | | | | |