How to Craft Compelling Subject Lines for Maximum Results

Top Strategies to Increase Your Cold Email Open Rate

A good subject line in a cold email captures the recipient's attention and encourages them to open and read the email. It's the first thing the recipient sees, and it can pique their interest or cause them to delete the email without reading it.

Here are four tips for increasing your cold email open rate:

Short and clear subject lines stand out in a sea of emails and may drive more engagement compared to long subject lines. They capture the recipient's attention immediately as they're well-framed and easy to understand.

A simple subject line sets the tone for the rest of the email. It should be precise and establish the purpose of your email by giving the recipient a clear idea of what to expect.

Many spam filters use the subject line as a key indicator of spam, so a subject line that is too long or includes spam trigger words or phrases may be more likely to be blocked. A short and simple subject line can increase the chances of your email being delivered to the recipient's inbox.

An engaging and relevant subject line is the first step in initiating contact and getting your message across.

The preview text in an email is the snippet of text that appears below the subject line in the recipient's inbox. It's a valuable opportunity to engage the recipient further and encourage them to open the email.

Since the preview text is only a few lines long, it's important to go straight to the point and make every word count. Use it to highlight your email's main points rather than trying to fit too much information.

You may use actionable language, a question, or a bold statement to generate interest in your email. The preview text can be slightly different from the subject line, but the message should be connected.

The subject line of your cold email should be structured as a solution to a problem. It's important to identify the specific issue that needs to be addressed and formulate a clear and concise way to communicate it in the subject line. Here are some steps you can follow:

Identify the Problem

What is the issue that needs to be addressed in the email? Is it a technical problem or a customer service issue? Clearly define the problem as a guide to what you need to address in the subject line.

Inspire Action

Rather than just describing the problem, use the subject line to motivate the recipient to take action. This could involve a call to action, such as

You may also use a question to prompt the recipient to open the email and find out more.

Power words motivate your readers to probe your email to discover more by creating a sense of urgency. They can increase cold email open rates, and you can start incorporating them to drive better engagement when you send out emails to prospective clients. Examples of power words include:

Choose the Right Power Words

Consider the content of your email and choose power words that accurately and effectively convey the message or offer.

Need help generating power words? OptinMonster is a great tool for finding the right power words for your email's subject line.

Use Power Words Sparingly

Avoid overusing power words in your subject line or throughout your email. This can make your emails appear too “salesy” and reduce their overall impact.

Be Honest

Don't use power words to deceive or mislead your readers.

Reaping the Benefits of Cold Emails

With careful attention to the subject line and preview text, you can transform cold emails into powerful marketing tools. Use the four tips above to ensure higher open rates for cold emails.