Email is an essential user acquisition channel that surpasses top social networks, like Facebook and Twitter, in terms of effectiveness.
Although ad tech has notably evolved, moving from the 90s era of banners to IoT and virtual & augmented reality following 2019, over the last 6 years, email marketing performance metrics have remained almost constant. For example, the average open rate in 2016 for the TOFU channel was 44.22%, while as of 2021, it’s 42.45%.
Buyers do pay attention to emails. And even though people don’t always proceed with purchases upon offers they receive, emails help maintain customer relationships and build brand awareness.
Crafting Attention-Grabbing Newsletter Subject Lines
Writing a great newsletter subject line can be a daunting task. Your subject line is the first thing your readers will see, and it can make or break whether they open and read your newsletter or simply delete it. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
By following these tips, you can craft newsletter subject lines that grab your readers’ attention and encourage them to engage with your content. So go ahead and give it a try – your readers will thank you for it!
What to keep in mind while creating a subject line for the newsletter:
- Consider including the month or date to give your message context.
- Clearly communicate any deadlines or time limits.
- Highlight the main topic of your newsletter to grab readers’ attention.
- Be concise and focused in your message.
- Make sure to mention your organization’s name.
- Encourage reader participation by asking a thought-provoking question.
- Use strong action verbs to create a sense of urgency and encourage engagement.
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Best Examples to Create a Newsletter Subject Line
How will the first newsletter subject line influence the email open rate? The answer is — it depends on the primary purpose of the campaign you launch, the words you choose, and the general intonation that you express.
For example, if there’s a bit of urgency in opening lines, your emails may get up to a 22% higher open rate. At the same time, too promising or pressing phrases can cause email newsletters to seem fraudulent, and it won’t pass through the anti-spam firewalls of mailing systems.
The type of mailing determines the style of its subject line, as well. While a weekly newsletter gives a wide space for experiments, there are common rules when writing follow-ups, confirmation emails, offers, or invoices, right?
The headline will hinge on the lead gen funnel stage too.
Monthly Newsletter Subject Lines
For regular mailings, you should start with determining the appropriate frequency. Too rare or incessant emails may adversely affect your open and click-through rates. In the first case, people will forget your brand, and in the second case, they will be annoyed and willing to unsubscribe.
A commonly recognized and rather safe happy medium is 2-4 newsletters per month.
With an eye out for low regularity, subject lines for monthly newsletters should promise some value, for example:
- reveal important updates or news
- disclose advice from experts on changes in legislation or industry
- show a personalized collection of new products or services, etc.
A recipient needs to get an all-embracing and comprehensive piece of interesting information. This doesn’t necessarily have to contain a commercial intent. Consider these subject line phrases:
To tell about updates
- Important Updates You Don’t Want to Miss
- The Latest News and Updates You Need to Know About
- We’ve Got Some Exciting News to Share with You
- Updates to Our Products and Services: Get the Details Now
- Our Latest Improvements and Enhancements: Learn More Here
- Announcing the Latest Updates to Our Platform
- Keeping You Up-to-Date: Latest News and Updates from Us
To engage users with the website or brand
- Discover What’s New: Check Out Our Latest Features
- Get the Most Out of Our Brand: Tips and Tricks Inside
- Engage with Us: Latest Brand News and Updates
- Connect with Our Brand: Discover What Makes Us Unique
- Join the Conversation: Latest Updates and Insights from Our Brand
- Unlock Your Full Potential: Tips and Strategies for Using Our Website
- Experience Our Brand Like Never Before: Explore Our Latest Offerings
To express that a newsletter contains some added value
- Discover the Latest and Greatest: Our Value-Driven Newsletter
- A Treasure Trove of Insights and Strategies: Our Must-Read Newsletter
- Gain an Edge on Your Competition: Our Newsletter with Unique Value
- The Latest and Best Tips and Strategies: Our Value-Added Newsletter
- Your VIP Pass to Valuable Content: Our Exclusive Newsletter
- Uncover Hidden Gems: Our Value-Packed Newsletter Edition
- Get the Inside Scoop: Our Newsletter with Unmatched Value
Seasonal Newsletter Subject Lines
Seasonal mailings are designed to announce sales or new arrivals. These examples of headlines may fit your online store’s next email campaign:
15 Spring newsletter subject lines
- Spring into Action: Our Latest Updates
- Fresh Start: A New Season of News
- Blooming with Excitement: Spring Newsletter Inside
- Spring Has Sprung: Catch Up on What’s New
- Get Ready for Spring with Our Latest Newsletter
- Renewal and Growth: Our Spring Newsletter
- Spring Fever: Latest News and Updates
- A Season of Change: Spring Newsletter Inside
- Springing Ahead: Our Latest News
- Time to Blossom: Spring Newsletter Out Now
- Spring Cleaning: Latest Updates and Reminders
- New Beginnings: Our Spring Newsletter
- Spring Awakening: What’s Happening Now
- The Arrival of Spring: Latest News and Insights
- In Full Bloom: Our Spring Newsletter
Also read: 10 Spring Newsletter Ideas + 30 Subject lines
15 Summer newsletter subject lines
- Sizzling Summer: Latest News and Updates
- Sun, Fun, and Our Latest Newsletter
- Soak Up the Summer: Our Latest Newsletter Inside
- Fun in the Sun: Latest News and Insights
- Heat Up Your Summer with Our Newsletter
- Summer Lovin’: Latest Updates and Reminders
- Dive into Our Summer Newsletter
- Making Waves: Our Latest Newsletter Out Now
- The Summer Edition: Catch Up on What’s New
- Fun Times in the Sun: Our Summer Newsletter
- Summer Breeze: Latest News and Trends
- Summer Vibes: Our Latest Newsletter Inside
- Endless Summer: Latest News and Insights
- A Season of Fun: Our Summer Newsletter
- Get Your Summer On: Latest News and Updates
Also read: 10+ Summer Newsletter Ideas
15 Fall newsletter subject lines
- Discover the Colors of Fall: Our Latest Newsletter Out Now
- Embrace the Season: Latest Updates and Reminders
- Fall is Here: Time to Catch Up with Our Newsletter
- Harvest Your Knowledge: Latest News and Insights
- Autumn is Calling: Our Latest Newsletter Inside
- Falling Forward: Latest Trends and News
- Get Cozy with Our Fall Newsletter
- The Changing Season: Latest News and Updates
- Rustic Autumn: Our Latest Newsletter Edition
- A Season of Gratitude: Latest Insights and Reminders
- Embrace the Chill: Latest Updates and Trends
- The Fall Breeze: Our Latest Newsletter Out Now
- Sweater Weather: Latest News and Fashion Trends
- Colors of Change: Our Fall Newsletter Inside
- Fall Fresh: Our Latest Updates and Insights
Also read: Best 10 Fall Newsletter Ideas
Winter newsletter subject lines
- Warm Up Your Winter with Our Latest Newsletter
- Embrace the Chill: Latest News and Updates
- Winter is Coming: Our Latest Newsletter Inside
- The Snow is Falling: Latest News and Insights
- Sparkle and Shine: Our Latest Winter Newsletter
- Bundle Up with Our Latest Newsletter Out Now
- Winter Wonderland: Latest News and Trends
- Snowed In? Catch Up with Our Newsletter
- Let it Snow: Our Winter Newsletter Edition
- Cozy Up with Our Latest Updates and Reminders
- The Magic of Winter: Latest Insights and Trends
- Chill Out with Our Winter Newsletter
- Winter Escape: Latest News and Inspiration
- Warm Wishes: Our Latest Updates and Reminders
- The Winter Chill: Latest News and Insights Out Now
Also read: 10 Winter Newsletter Ideas
Catchy Newsletter Subject Lines
As for a captivating style, a good example to refer to is Quora. Its subject lines stand out from the crowd: they seem to be done offhand but, in fact, are created based on previous users’ searches.
Thus, they contain information about what bothers a recipient at a given time in their life — work, relationships, self-development, etc.
Have a look at other catchy yet safe examples:
- Manage your {growth/day/work performance/time/business development} during challenging times
- What {marketers/lawyers/sales reps/accountants} need to know today?
- Win {higher revenues, more sales, more customers} with this guide
- Expert opinion: {name of a reputable expert} speaks about {the subject}
- {Recipient’s name}: Learn about strategies on how to {pain point}
Also read: 115+ Catchy Email Subject Lines Examples (Sales, Events)
B2B Newsletter Subject Lines
Here, the tone should be rather discreet. Don’t offer a “blue sky,” and if you mention numbers or percentages, make them look feasible. For example, use decimals or incomplete tens. Another worthy thing is to address leads’ with their names.
- 2.5 times higher {ROI/CTR/conversions} — learn how
- Elevate Your Business Strategy: Our Latest B2B Newsletter
- Unleash Your Potential: Actionable Insights and Trends
- Innovate and Succeed: Our Newsletter Inside
- Accelerate Your Growth: Latest B2B News and Updates
- Fuel Your Success: Our B2B Newsletter Out Now
- Drive Results with Us: Our B2B Newsletter Edition
- Take Charge of Your Business: Latest B2B News and Insights
Newsletter Subject Lines by Industry
A good way to customize headlines is to incorporate industry-related words. Below are several ideas.
Real estate newsletter subject lines
- The Latest Real Estate Trends You Need to Know About
- Your Guide to Buying and Selling Property: Our Newsletter Inside
- Get Ready to Make Your Move: Latest Real Estate News and Tips
- Real Estate Insights: Our Newsletter Edition Out Now
- Open House Invites and More: Our Real Estate Newsletter
- From Dream Home to Reality: Latest Real Estate News and Insights
- Stay Ahead of the Game: Our Real Estate Newsletter Updates
Nonprofit newsletter subject lines
It’s important not to go too far with begging. If you insist on money contributions (“I ask,” “Donate now,” “Make a donation of”), the email can trigger spam filters. So, it’s better to use an “educated me” writing style:
- Contribute your skills to save the environment
- Are Making a Difference: Latest Updates from Our Nonprofit
- You Can Help: Our Nonprofit Newsletter Inside
- Empowering Change: Latest News and Insights from Our Nonprofit
- Join the Movement: Our Nonprofit Newsletter Out Now
- Together We Can Make a Difference: Our Latest Nonprofit Updates
- Impactful Initiatives: Latest News and Updates from Our Nonprofit
- Giving Back: Our Nonprofit Newsletter with the Latest Updates and Actions
For Healthcare
- Health Matters: Our Latest Healthcare Newsletter
- The Latest Health and Wellness Trends: Our Newsletter Inside
- Stay Informed: Latest Healthcare News and Insights
- A Healthy Lifestyle: Our Healthcare Newsletter Out Now
- Taking Care of You: Latest Health and Wellness Updates
- Health is Wealth: Our Healthcare Newsletter Edition
- Empowering Patients: Latest Healthcare News and Actions
For events
- Get Ready to Party: Our Latest Events Newsletter
- Unforgettable Experiences: Our Newsletter Inside
- From Weddings to Corporate Events: Latest News and Insights
- Celebrate Good Times: Our Events Newsletter Out Now
- What’s Happening: Latest Event Updates and Reminders
- Creating Memories: Our Events Newsletter Edition
- Eventful Adventures: Latest News and Trends
Holiday Newsletter Subject Lines
A festival, an independence day, a religious holiday — these are good reasons to remind recipients about your brand casually. The newsletter may be designed upon a newsbreak, say a Christmas sale, or it may simply contain a beautiful greeting card.
Thanksgiving newsletter subject lines
- So many people to be thankful to / Time to give thanks to your beloved ones!
- Give thanks to your dearest ones — {discount amount} on everything!
- It’s X weeks away from Thanksgiving! Have you already prepared gifts?
Halloween newsletter subject lines
- Happy Halloween! We treat wizards and witches with a 31% discount
- A “Trick and Treat” day is coming! Stock up on sweets in our store
- A Terrific Halloween Offer! One-time $31 off on chart over {money sum}.
New Year newsletter
- {New Year’s/ End of the Year/Year End} Sale
- New Year is coming in 3 weeks! End-of-year clearance at {the website}
- New Year with bigger & better deals at {the website}
Christmas newsletter
- You will like these 20+ Christmas {decorations/designs/presents/cards}
- {Recipient’s name}, don’t forget to pick a present for yourself
- All HE wants for Christmas is… 10 gift ideas under {the sum}.
Valentine’s day newsletter
- Perfect Valentine — Gifts with a 14% discount
- We love you! 20% Off this week
- Happy Valentine’s Day! A present from {your company} is here for you.
Internal Newsletter Subject Lines
Although internal open rates are high (around 68%), that’s not an excuse to send an email with an empty subject line or a boring “FYI.” If the company’s corporate culture is fairly democratic, you can use comic headlines or add funny emojis. If not, just be laconic yet specific:
- Yesterday we won the tender. The next steps
- Morning stand-up’s summary
- At 3 pm we discuss {the project}. Skim through agenda beforehand (attached)
- [URGENT] Your action required: {the matter}
- January update on sales — key numbers.
Newsletter Subject Line Best Practices
We would like to sum up this post with a universal formula of a great email subject line, but, unfortunately, it doesn’t exist. The only way to write it is to understand the audience and follow some common recommendations:
- keep it short: up to 60 characters
- don’t get too carried away with emojis or all caps
- avoid spam words
- personalize, where relevant
- include numbers
- use vertical separators (“|”) and capital letters to emphasize key messages.
For cold emails and bulk drip email campaigns, some good subject line generator services may do just fine. It’s better to write subject lines yourself and make them more human-like.
“You can generate cold email subject lines by mentioning keywords and a few more specifications using Reply.io”
Mailing is a powerful marketing tool, but only if emails are designed correctly. You can only see what’s working if you try it out. So before scaling up, take time to conduct an A/B test — to be sure the hypotheses that you put forward will work out as planned.
Also read:
- The Best Enterprise Email Marketing Platforms Compared
- 17+ Best Marketing Campaigns of All Time
- Email Subject Lines Capitalization
