As a sales professional or manager, your Subject Line Etiquette plays a crucial role in capturing the attention of potential leads and prospects. To ensure your emails are opened and read, it's important to craft concise and effective professional subject lines. In this blog post, we will provide you with a checklist to perfect your email subject etiquette and increase your open rates. With these tips, you’ll master the art of subject line writing, learn to compose email headers that entice clicks, and discover writing good subject lines that resonate with your audience. Let's dive in!
1. Understand the Purpose:
Clearly define the purpose of your email: Is it to crack open new sales leads or potential leads? Be specific in identifying your objective.
Align your subject line with the purpose: Make sure your subject line reflects the content of your email and entices the recipient to open it.
Example: Email purpose: Introducing a new product to potential leads. Subject Line: "Discover How [Product Name] Can Save You Time and Money."
Align your subject line with the email’s intent and make it clear what the recipient will gain by opening it. This approach is central to good Subject Line Etiquette.
2. Keep it Short and Sweet:
Use a maximum of 50 characters: Long subject lines get cut off in email previews, so make every character count.
Highlight the most important words: Front-load your subject line with relevant keywords to catch the reader's attention immediately.
Example: Scenario: Following up after a meeting Subject Line: "Quick Follow-Up from Our Meeting Yesterday."
With fewer than 50 characters, this line is concise, embodies professional subject lines, and conveys immediate relevance.
3. Personalise and Humanise:
Address the recipient by name: Adding personalisation in the subject line instantly grabs attention.
Make it conversational: Avoid overly formal language and create subject lines that sound genuine rather than robotic.
Example: Scenario: Reaching out to a prospect Subject Line: "Alia, Here’s a Solution to Your Hiring Challenges."
Addressing the recipient by name makes the email feel tailored and shows solid Subject Line Etiquette.
4. Create a Sense of Urgency:
Use action-oriented language: Urgent verbs like "act now," "limited time offer," or "urgent request" can prompt the recipient to open your email.
Set deadlines: If applicable, mention a specific time frame for a response or action.
Example: Scenario: Promoting a time-sensitive offer Subject Line: "Last Chance: Get 20% Off Before Midnight Tonight!"
This is a prime email title example that spurs immediate action.
5. Make It Relevant and Compelling:
Highlight the benefit or value: Communicate what the recipient will gain from opening your email.
Appeal to emotions: Address their pain points or desires to captivate attention.
Example: Scenario: Offering a resource to solve a specific problem Subject Line: "Struggling with Time Management? Download Our Free Guide."
This approach showcases writing good subject lines by focusing on a specific benefit.
6. A/B Test Your Subject Lines:
Experiment with different subject lines: Test out variations to see which yields higher open rates.
Analyze and track results: Monitor the performance of each version to identify which approach works best.
Example: Version A: "Exclusive Invite: Join Our Webinar on Sales Strategies." Version B: "Sales Strategies That Drive Results – Reserve Your Spot Today."
Such email title examples ensure you’re continually improving your subject line writing technique.
7. Avoid Spam-Like Language:
Steer clear of spam triggers: Certain words or phrases may trigger spam filters. Avoid terms like "free," "limited-time offer," or excessive use of capitals.
Use a spam-checking tool: Utilize software to check your subject line’s potential spam score before sending.
Example: Scenario: Promoting a new feature Subject Line: "Introducing a Game-Changing Feature for Your Business."
Adhering to proper Email subject etiquette helps maintain your credibility.
8. Proofread and Edit:
Avoid spelling and grammatical errors: Mistakes can reduce professionalism and credibility.
Read it aloud: Ensure it flows smoothly and sounds natural before hitting "send."
Example: Scenario: Inviting a prospect to a demo Before Editing: "Don’t Miss Out on our Demo tomrrow!" After Editing: "Join Us for a Live Demo Tomorrow – See [Product Name] in Action!"
Polished professional subject lines showcase attention to detail.
Checklist for a Perfect Email Subject Line:
☐ Does the subject line clearly convey the purpose of the email? ☐ Is the subject line concise, within 50 characters? ☐ Have I addressed the recipient by name to personalise the subject line? ☐ Does the subject line create a sense of urgency or importance? ☐ Is the subject line relevant, compelling, and focused on benefits? ☐ Have I conducted A/B testing to optimize the subject line's effectiveness? ☐ Does the subject line avoid spam triggers and excessive use of capital letters? ☐ Have I proofread and edited the subject line for any errors or awkward phrasing?
Crafting a perfect email subject line is a skill that can significantly impact your open rates as a sales professional. By following this checklist, you can master Subject Line Etiquette and optimise your approach to compose email subject headers that stand out. Remember to track and analyse results, continuously refining your subject line writing style. With these insights into writing good subject lines, using compelling email title examples, and incorporating these best practices, you’ll be well on your way to achieving greater success in cracking open new sales leads and potential opportunities.
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