Email Subject Lines for Sales That Work and Improve Conversion Rates

Email marketing can be an incredibly effective tool. But did you know that only a small percentage of people actually open emails? According to studies, the average email open rate is only around 20% or less, meaning that a whopping 80% of your emails are likely going unread.

So, if you’re struggling to get your emails read and responded to, you’re not alone. However, there is a solution—crafting great email subject lines. 

Creating a good email subject line is one of the most effective ways to grab the attention of your target audience and improve open, response, and conversion rates. Sure, email copy is important too, but when it comes to sales, it’s crucial to get the recipient to open the email if you want them to take action. However, coming up with attention-grabbing, high-converting subject lines is easier said than done.

The good news? We’re here to help. Let’s dive in. 

Why Are Email Subject Lines Important? 

When it comes to email marketing, your email subject line can make or break the success of your campaign. Crafting a catchy, attention-grabbing subject line is crucial for any business looking to generate leads and engage with potential customers. And this is no easy feat, considering that the average person receives dozens—sometimes even hundreds—of emails every day. The competition is tough. 

Your email subject line is the first impression you make on your prospect, and it sets the tone for your entire email. A boring, uninteresting subject line is likely to be ignored and dismissed, leading to low open rates and engagement. A creative, thought-provoking subject line, on the other hand, is more likely to grab the reader’s attention and lead to higher open and click-through rates.

Higher open rates and engagement mean more leads, opportunities to convert prospects into paying customers, and even higher customer retention. It’s important to remember that everyone’s time is valuable, and no one wants to waste it on an email that doesn’t provide any value. By crafting an attention-grabbing subject line, you’re more likely to convince your prospect that your email contains information that is worth their time and attention.

What Makes a Great Subject Line? Tips & Best Practices

Before we dive into specific examples, let’s talk about what makes a good subject line—not all subject lines are created equal. Here are a few tips and best practices to guide you in the right direction.

1. Keep it brief.

In a world where people’s attention spans are getting shorter and shorter, a brief subject line that gets straight to the point is crucial. Keep your subject line short and concise while still conveying the benefit or value of your message. Avoid using filler words and focus on being clear and compelling.

2. Personalize it.

Personalization is key to making your message stand out in a crowded inbox. Use the recipient’s name or other relevant information to make the email feel more personal and tailored to their interests or needs. A personalized email subject line can significantly increase the likelihood of your email being opened and read.

3. Offer value. 

The best subject lines provide clear and tangible value to the recipient. Promote a unique benefit that your product or service provides and highlight how it can meet their specific needs. Make it apparent in the subject line that the email offers something of value, whether that’s a discount, exclusive content, or special access.

4. Mind your tone of voice. 

It’s essential to use a tone of voice that aligns with your brand and resonates with your target audience. The tone should be conversational, approachable, and friendly. Avoid technical jargon or language that could be interpreted as spammy or potentially cause the reader to lose interest and unsubscribe from your email list. 

5. Avoid spam.

Avoid subject lines that look like clickbait and could send your email straight to a spam folder. This includes using all caps, too many exclamation points, or misleading statements. You want to build trust with your email recipients, and anything that feels spammy can harm that relationship.

6. Create a sense of urgency.

Time-sensitive subject lines can be an effective way to drive action. Use phrases like “last chance” or “limited time offer” to create a sense of urgency and motivate the recipient to take action. But be sure to match the urgency to the actual offer and maintain a genuine tone.

7. Grab attention with numbers and statistics.

Numbers and stats create a visual impact in the reader’s mind. When you use them in your subject line, you create a sense of curiosity in your audience and encourage them to learn more. For instance, instead of saying “New Promo Alert!,” you could say, “Hurry! 50% off sale ends in 24 hours.”

8. Be direct with a clear call to action.

Your email subject line should convey precisely what you’re offering (short subject lines are encouraged) and a clear call-to-action (CTA) can make it happen. Be upfront and state precisely what the recipient should do when they open the email. For example, instead of saying “January Newsletter,” you could say, “Claim Your Free eBook: The Top Trends of 2022.”

9. Create curiosity with a teaser.

Sometimes not revealing everything in your email subject line can create a sense of curiosity- and this can entice more recipients to open and read your emails. Use a teaser like “Surprise Inside” or “Something Interesting for You” to build anticipation. For example, “Something Incredible is Coming: Be the First to Know!”

10. Use emotional triggers for impact.

The human psyche is wired to respond to emotional triggers. Using such triggers makes your email subject line memorable and relatable. For example, you can use “Exciting News!” to create excitement, “Say Goodbye to Boring Days” to provide relief, or “Unlock Your Dream Life Now” to elicit a sense of aspiration.

11. Try incorporating emojis. 

The modern consumer loves a conversational approach. They want to feel like they’re reading a message from a friend, not reading a marketing email. To keep things light and friendly, try using emojis both in your subject lines and the body of the email campaign. 

The Best Email Subject Lines for Sales

Let’s get into the nitty gritty stuff. Here are some examples of good subject lines to try in your next campaign. 

Cold email subject line examples

Cold outreach can be daunting, but an email campaign is a great way to tackle it. Here are a few subject lines you can use.

1. Unlock exclusive discounts on our best-selling products.

This subject line works well for promoting sales or discounts on products that are popular with your target audience. It creates a sense of urgency and exclusivity, which motivates the reader to take action.

2. Save time and money with our simple solution.

This subject line is great for promoting products or services that save time and money for your customers. It appeals to their practical and pragmatic side, which makes them more likely to open the email.

3. Limited Time Offer: Get [PRODUCT/SERVICE] for FREE!

This subject line is effective for promoting a free trial or sample of your product or service. It creates a sense of scarcity and urgency, which motivates the reader to act quickly.

4. Discover the secret to [DESIRED BENEFIT].

This subject line works well for promoting products or services that help customers achieve a specific goal or solve a problem. It creates curiosity and intrigue, which urges the reader to learn more.

Follow-up email subject lines

An effective sales strategy requires a follow-up plan. Here are some subject lines you can try to follow up with new and prospective customers. 

1. Don’t miss out on these limited-time savings!

This subject line is effective for follow-up emails after a promotion or sale has been announced. It creates a sense of urgency and encourages the recipient to take advantage of the offer before it is too late.

2. We’re here to help you.

This friendly and approachable subject line works well when following up with a customer who has reached out with a question or concern. It assures them that the business is there to assist and provides a welcoming tone.

3. Thank you for your recent purchase!

This subject line is ideal for after-sales follow-ups. It shows appreciation for the customer’s business and opens the door for future communication or feedback.

4. Reminder: Your appointment is coming up!

This subject line works well for appointment-based businesses, such as salons or medical practices. It serves as a reminder for the customer while also being courteous and respectful of their time.

5. We have some exciting news to share!

This subject line creates intrigue and excitement, making it effective for follow-ups regarding new products, features, or services. It entices the recipient to read more and learn what the business has to offer.

6. Let’s catch up on your progress. 

This subject line is ideal for follow-ups with clients who have previously purchased a service or product that requires follow-up maintenance or updates. It shows that the business is invested in the customer’s success and is available for any support needed.

7. Can we improve your recent experience?

This subject line works well for feedback follow-ups after a customer has made a purchase or had an interaction with the business. It shows a proactive effort to improve customer satisfaction and provides valuable insights for future improvements.

8. Exclusive offer for valued customers!

This subject line is best used for follow-up emails sent to a loyal customer base. It creates a sense of exclusivity and appreciation while encouraging repeat business.

9. Important update to our policies and procedures! 

This subject line is effective for businesses that require compliance with certain rules or regulations. It is essential to inform the customers about policy or procedure updates as it builds trust and transparency. This subject line ensures a high open rate as the reader understands how important the email is. 

Meeting request email subject line examples

Trying to get your sales reps to schedule more meetings with current customers and potential buyers? Here are some great subject lines to try. 

1. Let’s Connect: Discussing Opportunities for Collaboration

This subject line works well for reaching out to potential partners or businesses with whom you see opportunities for working together. It sets a friendly tone and encourages an open discussion about potential collaboration.

2. Schedule a Meeting to Discuss [NEW PRODUCT/SERVICE] Launch

If you have a new product or service launching soon, this subject line is great for reaching out to customers who might be interested to give them a sneak peek of what’s to come. It also makes clear the purpose of the meeting upfront to avoid confusion.

3. Coffee meeting request: let’s chat about ____.

This subject line is a more casual approach and works well for reaching out to someone you would like to get to know better or to discuss potentially working together in a relaxed setting. 

4. Interested in Discussing Your ___ Needs 

This subject line is generic but still approachable and friendly. It works for reaching out to prospective clients or customers and starting a conversation about their specific needs.

5. Let’s get you scheduled, [NAME]!

Sometimes people need a bit of a reminder. Whether they’re due for routine maintenance, you want to schedule a demo call, or you want to remind them that it’s been a while since their last appointment, this subject line is a great opener.

No-response email subject lines

If you’re struggling with a low response rate, try the following subject lines. 

1. Quick question for [COMPANY NAME] – need your help! 

This subject line is effective because it prompts curiosity and implies a sense of urgency without being pushy.

2. Did my email get lost in the shuffle, [NAME]?

Using the recipient’s name and acknowledging the possibility of a lost email builds a personal connection and addresses a common concern.

3. Follow up on our conversation about [TOPIC]

Referencing a previous conversation adds a personal touch and reminds the recipient of your previous interaction.

4. The benefits of [SERVICE/PRODUCT] for [PAIN POINT]

Offering a solution to a specific pain point can demonstrate value and prompt a response, especially if the recipient has previously expressed interest in the service or product being offered.

Review request subject lines

Email outreach can be a great way to collect more reviews. Here are some subject lines that will help you do just that.

1. We Value Your Opinion – Please Share Your Experience with Us

This subject line emphasizes the customer and makes it clear that their feedback is important to the business. Use this subject line to request a review of a recent purchase or interaction with your business.

2. Help Us Improve – Leave a Review and Receive a Discount

This subject line is a win-win for both the customer and the business. By offering a discount for leaving a review, customers feel incentivized to share their thoughts, while the business benefits from the social proof of positive reviews.

3. Your Feedback Matters – Leave Us a Review on [PLATFORM]

Use this subject line to direct customers to a specific review platform where you need more reviews. By specifying the platform, you make it easier for customers to leave a review and increase the chances of receiving a response.

4. Share Your Story – How [BUSINESS] Has Made an Impact

This subject line is a bit more personal and can be a good way to gather testimonials from loyal customers. By asking customers to share their stories, you allow them to talk about how your business has positively impacted their lives.

5. Have 2 minutes, [NAME]? Leave us a quick review!

This subject line is simple and can be effective for requesting reviews from customers who may not have a lot of time. By emphasizing the short time commitment required, customers may be more likely to respond.

Drive Conversions and Reach More Customers with Podium

Podium is not an email marketing platform, but it is an incredibly effective tool for combining the power of email and text messaging to help small businesses like yours collect more reviews and drive more conversions. With Podium, you can take control of your online reputation by streamlining your review management processes.

But generating reviews is just the first step. Podium also helps businesses like yours use those reviews to drive more conversions. Podium’s review monitoring feature allows businesses to keep track of their online reputation, ensuring that they can respond quickly to any negative reviews and showcase their positive reviews on their website or social media channels. This, in turn, can help build trust with potential customers and increase conversion rates.

Ready to give it a try? Sign up for a free, no-strings-attached trial today.