Sometimes it is not what you write per-se, but how you immediately grab your reader’s attention. Writing a catchy subject line in an email, newsletter, or article headline is quite possibly the trickiest part. Here are a few tips:
Focus on the numbers
Numbers are easy to comprehend. When your subject lines reads, “5 ways to lose weight”, your audience knows exactly what your message is about. If this is a topic your customers find interesting, then you have grabbed their attention and they are more apt to read the message.
Tweet your subject line
When posting on twitter, your tweet can only contain 140 or fewer characters, requiring you to keep it short and sweet. Your subject lines should generally contain no more than eight words. Anything longer than that is likely to be cut off in an email or to lose your reader’s attention. Think about how to play with your words so that your message is short and creative.
Consider your own inspirations
What inspires you? Take a little time to read other publications to see if their subject lines inspire you. Look for an engaging subject line that piques your interest. Of course you will need to reword it a bit and make sure it suits your articles.
Test it out
A great way to find out what type of subject line works best for your audience it to test it out. Try sending half your messages with one type of subject line, maybe something catchy and exciting. Send the other messages with a more generic subject line and see which style works best for your readers.
Motivate
Especially if you are promoting something, it is necessary to encourage your customers to open your message immediately. You need to get them motivated with a phrase like, “Open now to get …” If your company requires membership, then the subject lines should sound less urgent. Your customers are going to open the message because they already need the information you are sending.
Bust out the hot topics
Think back to the conversations you’ve overheard among your colleagues. What are they jabbering about these days? Is the focus on how long can we drop the prices in this tough economy? Are potential customers more focused on key advertising strategies? It is time to get out the notepad, keep it by your side, and anytime you hear of a new hot topic, jot it down. It is your new subject line.
Focus on the numbers
Numbers are easy to comprehend. When your subject lines reads, “5 ways to lose weight”, your audience knows exactly what your message is about. If this is a topic your customers find interesting, then you have grabbed their attention and they are more apt to read the message.
Tweet your subject line
When posting on twitter, your tweet can only contain 140 or fewer characters, requiring you to keep it short and sweet. Your subject lines should generally contain no more than eight words. Anything longer than that is likely to be cut off in an email or to lose your reader’s attention. Think about how to play with your words so that your message is short and creative.
Consider your own inspirations
What inspires you? Take a little time to read other publications to see if their subject lines inspire you. Look for an engaging subject line that piques your interest. Of course you will need to reword it a bit and make sure it suits your articles.
Test it out
A great way to find out what type of subject line works best for your audience it to test it out. Try sending half your messages with one type of subject line, maybe something catchy and exciting. Send the other messages with a more generic subject line and see which style works best for your readers.
Motivate
Especially if you are promoting something, it is necessary to encourage your customers to open your message immediately. You need to get them motivated with a phrase like, “Open now to get …” If your company requires membership, then the subject lines should sound less urgent. Your customers are going to open the message because they already need the information you are sending.
Bust out the hot topics
Think back to the conversations you’ve overheard among your colleagues. What are they jabbering about these days? Is the focus on how long can we drop the prices in this tough economy? Are potential customers more focused on key advertising strategies? It is time to get out the notepad, keep it by your side, and anytime you hear of a new hot topic, jot it down. It is your new subject line.
