When you want to improve your email open rates, look at your subject lines.
Subject lines have one job – to entice your readers to OPEN your email.
That’s it. That’s all they gotta do :).
Subject lines *can* help with conversions and clicks and such, but that’s not their focus.
Their role is getting the reader to open the email, full stop.
When I started thinking about subject lines in this way, writing them became so much easier.
I realized my subject line doesn’t have to save the universe or be the best one-liner evah.
It just has to invite someone to open my email.
While we’re on this topic, here are four tips that I always use when writing subject lines:
#1 – Write your subject line last. Oh, the HOURS I used to waste trying to write my subject line first when sitting down to write an email. Le sigh. Your subject line is 100% of the time a golden thread, sentence, or idea from your email body. Write your email first. Subject line last. Save yourself loads and loads of time.
#2 – Don’t make your preview text a second subject line. I did this for years (whoops). Use your preview text as info – waitlist open, doors close today, now enrolling XYZ, three spots left, etc. Not everyone will read the preview, so don’t use it as a run-on sentence from your subject line.
#3 – Read your subject line and ask: “Would I open this email?” If you wouldn’t open your email based on the subject line, your subscribers probably won’t either :). Try again! First attempts are rarely home runs.
#4 – When in doubt – invoke curiosity. Subject lines should leave your readers feeling CURIOUS about what’s inside your email and excited to learn more. Does your subject line leave a little mystery? You’re on the right track!
#5 – When in doubt – personal story. ‘I’ statement subject lines have traditionally performed better than anything else. For example, “How I make $10k months as a course creator” outperforms “How to make $10k months as a course creator.” The ‘I’ statement makes you feel like a good story is coming. The ‘how to’ makes you feel like you have to learn something, and ew, homework :).
Okie doke, now for what you probably opened this email for.
Here are my top 10 performing subject line frameworks as of late.
These are subject lines I’ve used in my own business and when writing for my copywriting clients. All of them have seen a 40-50% open rate. Woohoo!
#1 – Boom! [Result]
Boom! First five-figure brand session booked.
#2 – Why [mistake/desire/want]
Why charging $10k for web design feels impossible
Why your income is a roller coaster (highs and lows!)
#3 – How I [result/win]
How I work 20-hour weeks as a copywriter
How I make 7 figures without social media
#4 – I [goal] – because of [offer name]
I’m booked with clients for 3 months – because of Clients On Auto
I’m a six-figure coach – because of Coach Academy
She retired her husband – because of Think Tank 2.0
#5 – When [struggle/challenge/objection]
When you’re overwhelmed by content creation
When you don’t have time to work on your business
#6 – [swipe/use/apply] my [win/achievement/result]
Swipe my 12-week paid maternity leave system
Apply my dream-team hiring method
#7 – How to [goal]
How to trust your intuition
How to lose weight in your 40s
#8 – [Your unique process or take]
You’ll get 1:1 access to me daily
I don’t sell with pain point marketing
Your personal brand is what sets you apart as a photographer
#9 – [client] [goal]
Mom of three fills her first course in 2 weeks!
New brand photographer books her first $5k session!
How this copywriter makes $13k months in 20 hour weeks
#10 – Finally [goal]
Finally understand your hormones
Celebrate a profitable and peaceful 4-day work week (finally!!)
Finally – an email marketing strategy that makes sense!
BONUS: Your thoughts for [gift]
Your thoughts for a gift card
That bonus is my new favorite subject line when asking for a testimonial or market research.
I hope this post was helpful!
If you have any questions, send me an email at hello@jennyrothcopywriting.com or a DM on Instagram.
You’ll also find three ways I can support you in having the best messaging for your next launch or funnel campaign at the links below:
Click HERE to book your Sales Page Edit.
For just $197, I’ll go through your current sales page section by section and tell you exactly what to say/add/change to have it convert higher, AND I’ll write three custom headlines for you.
Grab your Free Sales Page Template.
Get the highest converting sales page possible when you book me as your Sales Page Copywriter.
