I hope you enjoy this blog post. If you want Hello Bar to grow your leads, click here.
Author:
Michael Wicker
Published
July 19, 2024
I hope you enjoy this blog post. If you want Hello Bar to grow your leads, click here.
Author:
Michael Wicker
Published
July 19, 2024
Catchy email subject lines are an important element for email lead generation. Email collection is undoubtedly the most important part of email lead generation. Without emails, you have no ability to reach out to your leads. But catchy email subject lines are a close second.
Lead generation strategies build on one another. First, you collect email addresses. Then you nurture your leads. If you can’t get people to open your emails, you’ve lost potential sales.
Catchy email subject lines give your leads a reason to engage further with your business. They beckon to the reader, when written correctly, to explore the rest of your email.
But how do you write catchy email subject lines? Let’s dig in deep and make your email campaign even better.
An email subject line appears in an email client to let the reader know what the email is about. The location depends on which email client you use. If you’re accessing Gmail from a desktop computer, for instance, your subject lines appear after the name or email address of the sender.
The reader might also be able to see some of the body copy.
Your sales email subject lines need to give the reader a reason to open it. Without incentive, the reader might as well dump it in the trash — or worse, the spam folder. That’s where catchy email subject lines come in.
Lots of people access their emails on mobile devices these days. When you view your email on a smaller screen, less information appears for each email in your inbox.
Brevity counts when it comes to email open rates. According to Klaviyo research, subject lines averaging 7 words (including emojis) see the best open rates, around 30%.
But that doesn’t mean you have to stick to shorter sales email subject lines. You’ll find statistics for every possible word count, with some sources stating that 13+ words is best and others making cases for subject lines of between seven and nine words.
A well-crafted subject line can be the difference between an email that gets opened and read, and one that gets ignored or deleted. Here are some reasons why you need catchy email subject lines for your email marketing campaigns:
The primary goal of catchy email subject lines is to encourage the recipient to open the email. Since the subject line is the first thing your recipients see, it forms their initial impression of your email. Much like a book cover or a headline, it needs to be intriguing enough to prompt the recipient to take a closer look.
If your subject line fails to capture attention, the rest of your email content, no matter how well-crafted, will go unnoticed. Writing subject lines that are catchy can boost the open rate of your emails.
A great email subject line can succinctly convey the value of the email content. Whether it’s an exclusive offer, important news, or valuable insights, the subject line can give an indication of what the recipient will gain by opening the email. This value proposition can enhance the appeal of your email.
Email service providers (ESPs) use algorithms to filter out spam emails. Catchy email subject lines can help your email avoid being flagged as spam.
As per an Invesp study, 69% of email recipients classify an email as spam based only on the subject line. Since a well-written subject line is more likely to be relevant and engaging, it can determine whether an email is spam or not.
It’s easier than you think. Add Hello Bar to your suite of lead generation tools so you can invite your website visitors to sign up for your email list.
In your Hello Bar dashboard, you can choose the goal for email collection to set up a top bar, slider, modal, or any other type of overlay. Once you push it live, you can collect email addresses from anyone who visits your site.
We’re going to provide you with more than 50 catchy email subject lines, but first, we want to talk about formulas and why they work.
You might think that a formulaic approach to copywriting would be a bad thing. After all, don’t unique and different catchy email subject lines get better responses?
The answer is “yes.” However, formulas for catchy email subject lines can help inspire you. By filling in the blanks, as we’ll describe below, you can get as quirky, funny, surprising, or insightful as you want.
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Our formulas for catchy email subject lines each include one or more categories that you’ll need to fill in to suit your specific purposes. It’s kind of like a mathematical formula. You plug in numbers for A, B, and C to balance out both sides of the equation.
Let’s look at those categories so you know how to approach them correctly. We’ll use a topic related to weight loss as an example to keep you on track.
When you think of positive results in the weight loss industry, you think of pounds shed and muscle gained, right? You’re looking for an insight you can share with your audience that gives them a light at the end of a tunnel.
For instance, your subject line might look like this: “How John lost 300 pounds in three years.”
That’s a positive result. You’re not giving away the full story — you’re suggesting the result to inspire curiosity and desire.
A negative result is the exact opposite. You’re picking at pain points here to help your readers better understand why a negative result might occur — or to help them prevent it from happening to them.
Your negative result subject line might look like this: “Why John Tried to Lose Weight for 10 Years — And Nothing Happened.”
That phrase — “And Nothing Happened” — is your negative result. People want to know why.
Your overall topic is kind of like a category title on your blog. In weight loss, it might be dieting, exercising, motivation, or calorie counting. The overall topic could also be the primary topic related to your business: weight loss.
An overall topic subject line might look like this: “Weight Loss: What You’re Doing Wrong.”
You’ve stated the topic clearly in the subject line so people know what to expect.
We all love controversy, right? It keeps us awake at night and challenges us to consider topics more thoroughly.
A controversial topic subject line might look like this: “IIFYM Doesn’t Work”
This is controversial because lots of people follow the if-it-fits-your-macros approach to weight loss. You’re taking a controversial stand and saying that it actually doesn’t work. Just be prepared to back up your controversial opinion.
When formulas for catchy email subject lines ask for your target market, they’re looking for the people who are most likely to buy your products. You’re calling them out by name.
Going with my theme here, a target market subject line might look like this: “Fad Dieters: Here’s What You’re Doing Wrong.”
You’re calling out a specific segment of your target audience, people who might be interested in buying your products. Doing so helps you speak directly to the reader as though you can read his or her mind.
Where there’s a goal or pain point, there’s always an objection.
For instance, in weight loss, a common objection is that people don’t want to feel deprived. Dieting is just as much psychological as it is physical.
So, your subject line formula with a common objection might look like this: “Tired of Feeling Deprived? Here’s How to Rebound.”
You’re stating the objection up front and implying that you have a solution. Of course, you need to deliver in the email body.
Using a year or a month to quantify something in your email subject lines can make them more impactful.
Consider a question like this: “Do you want to lose weight?”
The answer might be “yes,” but there’s no real heft to it.
Let’s make it better: “Do you want to lose X pounds in X months?”
Now, we’re talking. The question quantifies the variables that are just hinted at in the first question, which makes it more powerful.
Invoking the name of Jenny Craig or Robb Wolf can make an email subject line far more powerful for weight loss leads. You instantly have a reaction, whether positive or negative.
If you see “industry authority name” as a variable in a subject line formula, you’re looking for information about someone whose name everyone knows.
The flip side of the industry authority name is the trustworthy source. This might be a publication, such as Everyday Health, or an organization like TOPS.
You might use a quote as your starting point or a data point.
As we mentioned above in the section about month and year variables, quantifying a variable can prove extremely powerful. We’ll use the same example that was given above:
“Do you want to lose X pounds in X months?”
In this example, the pounds are the quantified variable. You’re setting a benchmark against which your audience can measure their progress (or future progress).
Who doesn’t love rooting for the underdog? The unexpected winner is the top-performing entity in an experiment that goes against the expected results.
For instance, you might compare two popular diet fads in your own experiment, then release the unexpected results. Just tease the answer in the subject line to compel people to open the message.
What if we told you that you could lose weight while sitting in your favorite recliner? That’s a simple task. It’s easy to picture.
Simple task formula fields tell people they can achieve what they want without expending much effort.
Now that we’ve defined some key terms, let’s get into the meat of the article. We’ve categorized each of these catchy email subject line formulas based on the type of psychology behind them.
For each formula, we’ll give you three or four examples based on the weight loss topic we used above.
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FOMO. It’s all over Instagram, but it’s also very real. People don’t like to think they’re behind a trend or unable to capitalize on something valuable.
You can use FOMO to convince people that you have something they want. This psychological principle is perfect for catchy email subject lines.
For this formula, introduce a potential negative result your reader might be experiencing, then hit the pain point by suggesting a solution in the email body.
A great way to get people to open your emails is to ask a question like this one. It inspires FOMO because everyone wants to know if they’re making mistakes that are detrimental in their progress toward achieving a goal.
This subject line combines FOMO and urgency as well as social proof. You’re evoking a well-known name, describing a benefit, and letting your readers know they have limited time to take advantage of the opportunity.
This is very similar to the last one. Combining urgency and social proof can be extremely effective.
Here’s an alternative based on a question. It inspires FOMO and helps readers start imagining what they would do in this specific circumstance.
Curiosity is always a good emotion to evoke in your audience. If you can make people curious, you can get them to open your emails.
This one will get your readers excited because they’ll assume (hopefully rightfully) that you have a secret they don’t.
If you’re going to use this catchy email subject line, you’d better make sure you’re revealing an actual conspiracy. Otherwise, readers will feel let down.
Inspire curiosity by hinting at a tough lesson your readers need to learn about a topic or about achieving a positive result.
You can also take a positive view on a controversial topic to get people to open your emails more often.
We won’t provide an example here because it would repeat some of the formula fill-ins from before, but make sure you stand behind what you say. Don’t use a controversial topic just to get people to read your emails. They’ll feel deceived.
There’s no reason why you can’t use headline news to your advantage. Share what you know about a topic, but give your own editorial on the subject so it comes across in your voice.
We’re veering into clickbait here, but if you have something juicy to share, you might as well get your audience excited about it. Again, just make sure you can back up this catchy email subject line with thoughtful, accurate information.
In some cases, authorities in an industry butt heads. This is your chance to not only share the controversy with your readers, but also to weigh in on it. Tell the story in your own words (and cite your sources). Then provide commentary of your own.
Everyone’s always looking for the fastest route to information. It’s why, in marketing, we encourage brands to write long, value-rich articles to attract traffic. If you can give your reader everything he or she needs in one place, you become an authority, a trusted source, and a traffic magnet. You can use the same principle in your email marketing subject lines. Plus, this one throws in a little pop culture reference for good measure.
Appealing to your readers’ vanity can have awesome consequences for your email marketing campaign. People love to learn new ways to look and feel better, and if you can compliment your reader in some way, you’re ahead of the game.
Here, we’re looking at an unexpected result based on controversy. We want to show the reader that people can get ahead even if they use a tactic that others might not agree with.
We don’t want to share examples on this one because we’d like to avoid offending anyone. To fill in the blanks, you need some source of data as well as evidence that the result came through because of a controversial topic.
This is another good one. You’re evoking a name everyone knows and sharing their secrets to a specific positive result.
This is a simple but powerful email subject line formula. It suggests that you’re going to share someone’s journey from poor results to great ones.
We like to think that we’re failing to achieve our goals because of a variable outside our control. This isn’t always the case, though. For instance, you can do everything right in terms of eating healthy and exercising, but fail to lose weight because of an endocrine imbalance.
For this formula, we’re questioning the reader’s education on a specific topic. Many people consider themselves experts after hours and hours of research, but maybe we can share something that will surprise the reader.
Here’s another fun pop culture reference tied up in a curiosity-evoking subject line.
There are at least two sides to every topic. No matter your industry or niche, there will be people who disagree with you about how to best achieve specific goals or resolve certain problems. Explore this in an email with a curiosity- and empathy-provoking subject line.
Again, I’m not going to include an example here to avoid offending anyone, but this is a catchy email subject line you can use to inspire your readers. If they see an unlikely candidate getting results, you can reverse engineer the success for your audience.
We’re walking a fine line here. You don’t want to directly insult your readers, but you do want to give them a reason to open your email. It’s all about balance. Use a headline like this to grab your readers’ attention, then open the email body with an empathetic and reassuring copy to balance out the harsh subject line.
Everyone experiences greed from time to time. When you see success — no matter the form — you want it. And if you’re given an opportunity to get something you want, you might take it even if it isn’t the most honorable way to go about it. These catchy email subject lines prey on inherent greed.
This is a simple one. It’s a great subject line if you want to introduce a long-form article or video that provides in-depth information.
We love secrets, right? If you can illuminate a hidden fact for your readers, they’ll be eternally grateful, especially if it involves a shortcut to their goals.
Again, if you can work in a pop culture reference, you’re good to go. But this takes it to another level by hitting on your readers’ greed.
This email subject line example is one of my favorites. It gives you an opportunity to express gratitude for something that’s going well in your life, but to also evoke greed in your readers who want the same thing.
This subject line hints that good things are just around the corner. You’ll need to provide a seriously value-rich tip in the email body to make this subject line work.
Now we get to pain points. That always sounds a little sleazy, but pain points are universal. Everyone has them. If you don’t know how to fix your overflowing toilet, for instance, your pain point is a plumbing issue you can’t resolve on your own.
In this subject line, you highlight someone who has become an unexpected hero in your industry or niche. Share how he or she avoided a negative result or mistake using a particular strategy.
Here’s an oldie but a goodie. It’s great for headlines, too. For this one, narrow down your target market as far as possible.
This one might look a little confusing, so let’s break it down.
Start with negative results for a specific target market. For instance, postpartum moms might struggle to lose the baby weight. Now, you just need to find an industry authority whose quotes you can use to help that target audience avoid those negative results.
In this case, we’re calling out common mistakes or foibles that people make for silly reasons. Often, it’s just the wake-up call an audience needs to make big changes.
This is a fun one. It’s motivating and uplifting without getting too cutesy. You can throw in a little tough love, too.
We don’t like to think we’re lazy, but we often are. Think about it. If you could solve a problem or reach a goal faster, would you take the opportunity? Of course. We like shortcuts and other tricks that help us free up more time and exert less energy.
You can use these catchy email subject lines to help guide your audience through a process using just a few simple steps. Keep the number as low as possible while still being realistic.
Adding adjectives to your subject lines can make them even catchier. In this case, you can supplement “cool” with any adjective you like.
This is another catchy email subject line that uses a well-known person to illustrate how readers might achieve a specific positive result.
You can also boil it down even more simply without the industry authority name.
We all want to be rich, right? People in the weight-loss industry often find themselves famous and rich because of their amazing success. Even if your readers don’t desire a public life (or riches), you can use this catchy email subject line to get people interested.
Some of the best subject lines hit paint points related to delayed results. We don’t like to wait. We want immediate satisfaction.
You can’t go wrong with funny or weird. These catchy email subject lines demand attention because they’re off-the-wall or generate a laugh from the reader.
For this subject line, take a quote from someone who has beaten all odds and turn it into a prophecy. It’s pretty easy to do by taking assertive statements and putting a prophetical spin on them.
Be careful with this one because you don’t want to encourage dangerous or potentially hazardous behavior. For instance, a person can probably lose a ton of weight in a month by fasting for 30 days, but you wouldn’t recommend it. However, if you can find a way to spin this one with a positive message, go for it!
Here’s a fill-in-the-blank formula that works on many levels. Use it sparingly and make sure you have an awesome email to back it up.
To make sure we don’t offend anyone, we’re going to give you examples of this catchy email subject line formula using fake names. You can see how it works, though, when you put the elements together.
This one works just like the “Baby Got Back” reference above. Even if you’re not a “Star Wars” fan, you recognize the reference.
Here, find someone in your industry who met goals despite the odds and share some of his or her best secrets.
This one is just like the last, but put into different verbiage. Play with the “Top Secrets” starter to get more mileage from it. For instance, you could share “best tips” or “surprising discoveries” instead of “top secrets.”
Again, go with the pop culture reference if you can. It creates a resonance with the reader because you share this understanding of phraseology.
You can figure this one out pretty easily, but make sure you use it wisely. In other words, it works best when you can actually share tips, advice, strategies, or a product that will revolutionize how your audience approaches a problem or goal.
The same goes for this one. Use it when you can share amazing news, a great discovery, or an enlightening realization your audience will want to hear.
You can have lots of fun with this one.
If you can establish a sense of bonding with your reader, you’ll find yourself in an excellent position to increase conversions later. Obviously, your readers know you’re sending this to more than one person, but that doesn’t deplete the intimacy of the subject line.
Goofy similes are always fun. Use this catchy email subject line to make your readers laugh, even if you’re writing about a bland topic.
Did you know that you can sign up for a free Hello Bar account today? It’s the best way to grow your audience and collect more email addresses. Plus, setting up your overlays and top bars takes only minutes.
Once you’re collecting email addresses left and right, use the catchy email subject lines above to make sure your subscribers stay engaged.
Q1. Can I use funny subject lines in my emails?
Funny email subject lines can be a gamble. They can grab attention, but humor can be subjective and might not resonate with everyone. It’s best to avoid them for sales emails or cold outreach, and only use them if your brand voice is lighthearted and you’re confident the recipient will appreciate the humor.
Q2. Where can I find good email subject line examples?
Many resources offer email subject line inspiration. You can search online for “[your industry] + best cold email subject lines” or “[your industry] + catchy email subject lines.” Industry-specific examples can be very helpful.
Q3. How can I personalize my newsletter subject lines to improve open rates?
Personalized email subject lines can make your messages feel more relevant and capture your recipient’s attention. Here are some tips:
Q4. What are some tips to avoid spam filters with my subject lines?
Spam filters often flag ALL CAPS, excessive exclamation points, and certain spam trigger words (“free,” “limited time”). Focus on clear communication of value and avoid those red flags.
Q5. What are some elements of a good subject line for an email campaign?
An effective subject line should be clear and concise. Keeping it under 50 characters can help ensure it’s fully visible on most devices. It should highlight the value your email offers and include personalization, a sense of urgency, and actionable language.
Many brands completely flub their email subject lines. Don’t be that brand.
If you want people to open your emails, you need to give them a reason. Inspire curiosity, evoke greed, or make them laugh.
You can use these formulas over and over again in different forms. They’re extremely flexible, so play with them until they sound just right for your brand.
Hello Bar can help you A/B test different subject lines to find the one that drives the most opens and can capture more leads for your business.
What’s the best email subject line you’ve ever seen?