Powerful Subject Lines: 5 Tips to Get Emails Opened (with examples)

Your email subscribers belong to you. Not to the social media platforms and their algorithms, but YOU. People liked you and your brand enough to voluntarily give you their email addresses. This means that you have a guaranteed audience to share your high-quality content with, and newsletters are the perfect way to keep subscribers primed. But what’s the point of having a great newsletter if nobody even opens the damn thing? 

Catchy and powerful email subject lines can grab attention in a crowded inbox and can be the first step in getting your newsletter read from beginning to end. I help small business owners with their email marketing, and in this blog post, I’m going to share five quick and easy tips to help you craft irresistible subject lines that attract attention, engage your subscribers, and boost your email open rates.

an email inbox with unread messages. use subject lines to grab attention

1. Use Emotional Language in Subject Lines

When it comes to subject lines, emotions are your best friends. Infuse your subject lines with positive emotions that resonate with your subscribers. Whether it’s excitement, curiosity, or even humour, tap into these emotional triggers to create an instant connection. For example, “Unveiling the Secrets to Skyrocket Your Sales” or “Discover a Surprise That Will Make You Smile.” By appealing to your subscribers’ emotions, you’ll increase their curiosity and make them more likely to open your email newsletter.

2. Create a Sense of FOMO

Fear of missing out (FOMO) is a powerful motivator. Use phrases like “Last chance” or “Limited spots available” to create a sense of urgency in your subject lines. Prompt your subscribers to take immediate action by making them feel that they might miss out on valuable information or exclusive offers. For example, “Limited Time Offer: Don’t Miss Out on Our Biggest Sale of the Year” or “Only a Few Seats Left: Reserve Your Spot Now.” By instilling a sense of urgency, you’ll entice your subscribers to open your email right away.

3. Keep Subject Lines Concise

In today’s fast-paced world, succinctness is key. Grab attention with concise subject lines that deliver a clear message. Cut through the clutter by making every word count. Use power words, action verbs, or intriguing statements to create an irresistible urge to open your email. For example, “Boost Your Productivity with These 5 Simple Hacks” or “Reveal the Secret to Financial Success in 3 Steps.” Remember, the goal is to capture your subscribers’ attention quickly and make them curious enough to click and explore further.

a keyboard above the emails app. subject lines can improve email open rates

4. Include Numbers or Lists 

Numbers provide structure and attract attention. Incorporate them into your subject lines to make them more compelling. For example, “5 Secrets to Mastering Social Media Marketing” or “10 Tips for Writing Engaging Blog Posts.” Numbers not only convey the type of content your subscribers can expect but also indicate the approximate length of the email. This transparency helps manage expectations and increases the likelihood of your email being opened and read from beginning to end.

5. Include Emojis to Stand Out

In the age of visual communication, emojis can be your secret weapon. They inject personality and visual appeal into your subject lines, making them stand out in crowded inboxes. However, it’s essential to use emojis that align with your message, are ‘on-brand,’ and resonate with your audience. For example, “🔥 Don’t Miss Our Hot Summer Sale! 🔥” or “🚀 Get Ready for an Epic Product Launch 🚀.” Emojis add a touch of fun and creativity to your subject lines, making them more memorable and engaging.

an inbox with no unread emails because of powerful subject lines

Effective Subject Line Examples

This list is by no means exhaustive, but by implementing these quick and easy tips you’ll not only increase your email open rates but also establish a strong connection with your audience. Now, let’s put these tips into action with a few examples of catchy subject lines that incorporate the techniques discussed:

Use Emotional Language:

  • “Ignite Your Success: Uncover the Power of Effective Marketing Strategies”
  • “Experience a Joyful Transformation: Discover the Secrets to Work-Life Balance”

Create a Sense of FOMO:

  • “Last Chance: Unlock Exclusive Discounts Before They Vanish!”
  • “Only a Few Seats Left! Reserve Your Spot at Our Exclusive Workshop”

Keep it Concise:

  • “Double Your Sales with 3 Simple Steps”
  • “Unlock Your Creative Potential: Master the Art of Storytelling”

Include Numbers or Lists:

  • “5 Essential Tools Every Entrepreneur Needs in Their Arsenal”
  • “10 Proven Strategies to Skyrocket Your Online Presence”

Include Emojis to Stand Out 🤓:

  • “💡 Unleash Your Creativity: Join Our Innovation Masterclass”
  • “🌟 Don’t Miss Our Super Sale: Grab Deals That’ll Make You Smile”

Tailor these examples to align with your brand and audience, get creative, and experiment with different combinations of techniques to find what works best for your business. It’s important to track and analyse the performance of your subject lines. Pay attention to open rates and engagement metrics to understand which approaches resonate most with your audience. A/B testing different subject lines can also provide valuable insights into what prompts your subscribers to open your emails.

a laptop which has been used to send emails with high open rates and catchy subject lines

Remember, writing subject lines that get email newsletters opened is both an art and a science. By understanding your audience, incorporating these techniques, and continuously experimenting and refining your approach, you’ll be well on your way to creating captivating subject lines that engage and inspire your subscribers. Your audience wants to discover your content, you just have to make it easy for them to access it! 


By mastering the art of crafting attention-grabbing subject lines, you’ll enhance the effectiveness of your email newsletters and nurture strong relationships with your subscribers. So, get creative, have fun, and watch your open rates soar! If you’d like some help with your business’s email marketing, then contact me here to discuss your needs and goals so that we can get started on creating a content plan that delivers value and achieves your business objectives. I offer a FREE, no-obligation 30-minute consultation where we talk about our respective businesses and see whether we would be a good fit to work together. If you are serious about maximising the outreach of your email content, then check out this page to book your discovery call.

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