Small Businesses

5 tips for writing email subject lines that actually get opened

  • 4 min Read
  • August 27, 2021

Author

Grace Townsley
Grace Townsley

As a professional copywriter in the finance and B2B space, Grace Townsley offers small business leaders big insights—one precisely chosen word at a time. Let's connect!

Table of Contents

The average person spends about 28% of their workday reading and answering emails. So, it’s no wonder that after work and on the weekends, people are very picky about what emails they actually open and read. 

You should put as much thought into the subject line as you do the email itself

Without an intriguing headline, call to action or emotional pull, hundreds of emails are deleted with a quick swipe, their content left totally unread. In fact, a report by Optinmonster revealed that nearly 70% of email recipients will report an email as spam based on its subject line alone!

You put a lot of work in crafting your emails, right? Don’t let that work go to waste with a lackluster subject line. If you put these five tips into practice when building your next email campaign, you’re sure to see a boost in your open rate, and hopefully, your sales.

  1. Be straightforward, not confusing

Subject lines that are misleading or confusing are a big turnoff for readers. If you don’t send emails very often or if your email is a simple company update or newsletter– just say that! Using clever email lines is a technique better used for emails that are frequently ignored. Think sales emails, business offers, and coupons. If you already have a strong readership, especially if it’s a paid subscription, straightforward subject lines are a great way to keep your open rate strong.


  1. Emojis can be eye-catching

Most emails are opened on a mobile phone where the subject line text is fairly small and sometimes gets cut off. An eye-catching emoji early in your subject line might be just the boost you need to get your emails noticed. You should always use emojis sparingly. But used carefully, they can be a powerful email subject line tool that is still under-used by many businesses. According to a report by Experian, an emoji in your subject line can boost your open rate by 45%. The most effective emojis to use? Smiling face, heart, sun and airplane.

  1. Add a personal touch

Many email platforms like MailChimp, ActiveCampaign and HubSpot allow you to automatically customize your emails with your subscriber’s name, company, or other info they’ve previously provided. Including your customer’s name can make your email feel more personal and familiar.

Besides adding their name, you can also personalize your email subject by saying something casual and conversational that makes your reader feel like you’re truly talking to them. Starting your email with a question like, “Are you coming?” or “What do you think about this?” grabs their attention and piques curiosity. 

  1. Solve their problem

If you’ve spent any time on your marketing, you probably know the big problem your key customers are facing. You also know how your product or service can solve it. If you can succinctly remind your customer of their problem, the easy solution you have, or why life would be better with your product or service in it, you have a strong email subject line. For example, a business that offers bookkeeping services could bring up their client’s pain point with a subject line like, “Accounting is hard, let us do it for you” or “You could have so much more free time.” 

  1. Be funny!

This tip might take a bit of collaboration to make sure your joke lands well. But if you can write a subject line that garners a snicker, your open rate is sure to increase. Try to avoid inside jokes or jokes about your own product however, because this humor might not make sense to newer customers who are less aware of your brand. Think puns, common movie quotes or clever pop culture references that your customer base would be familiar with.

Use these tips for good, not for spam!

Remember, the better your emails are, the more likely your readers are to open an email from you in the future. If you write the best email subject lines in the world but don’t offer strong content, your subscribers will quickly become unsubscribers. But if you use these tips smartly, you just might see your open and click-through rates improve. 

Talk to our team today to learn how Escalon can help take your company to the next level.

  • Expertise you can trust

    Our team is made up of seasoned professionals who bring years of industry experience to the table. You gain a trusted advisor who understands your business inside out.

  • Quality and consistency

    Say goodbye to the hassles of hiring, training and managing in-house finance teams. You will never have to worry about unexpected leave of absence or retraining new employees.

  • Scalability and Flexibility

    Whether you’re a small business or a global powerhouse, our solutions scale with your needs. We eliminate inefficiencies, reduce costs and help you focus on growing your business.

Contact Us Today!

Tap into the latest insights from experts in your industry

Small Businesses

The ROI of Outsourcing Business Services: How to Measure Your Investment’s Impact 

The ROI of Outsourcing Business Services: How to Measure Your Investment’s Impact  In a world where every dollar must count,...

Read More
People Management & HR

2025 Employment Law Updates: What to Know

As we step into 2025, businesses across the country face several important updates in labor laws and employee benefits. Staying...

Read More
Startups

5 Signs Your Startup Needs an Outsourced CFO  

5 Signs Your Startup Needs an Outsourced CFO   Startups often operate with lean teams, but as they grow, financial complexity...

Read More
Leadership & Growth

CG Startups: How to Keep Costs Low While Scaling Operations 

Consumer Goods Startups: How to Keep Costs Low While Scaling Operations  Scaling a consumer goods startup requires a careful balancing...

Read More
Press Releases

Escalon Expands Its Reach: Full Stack Finance and Early Growth Join Forces with Industry Leader 

Escalon Expands Its Reach: Full Stack Finance and Early Growth Join Forces with Industry Leader  In a strategic move that...

Read More
Taxes

Delaware Annual Review: What Series A-C Startups Must Know to Stay Compliant 

Delaware Annual Review: What Series A-C Startups Must Know to Stay Compliant  For startups incorporated in Delaware, staying compliant is...

Read More
Taxes

Tax Planning for Startups: Preparing for Your First Tax Filing

Tax Planning for Startups: Preparing for Your First Tax Filing as a Growing Business  For many startups, the first major...

Read More
Taxes

Unlock Tax Savings with the R&D Tax Credit

As a startup, managing cash flow and minimizing expenses are critical to your business's survival and growth. One often-overlooked opportunity...

Read More
Accounting & Finance

1099 Compliance for Early Stage Startups

1099 Compliance for Early Stage Startups As your startup grows from seed funding to Series A, B, or C, you’ll...

Read More