Guide
Write subject lines that get opened
10 tested subject line formulas that outperform 'March Newsletter'.
Formula 1: Curiosity gap
'The one thing I'd tell my past self about launch day'. Withholds the punchline. Works when the payoff inside is genuinely valuable.
Formula 2: Direct benefit + specificity
'How we got 500 signups in 3 days (without ads)'. Specific numbers beat vague promises. '3 days' > 'quickly'.
Formula 3: Personal + casual
'a quick favour?' (lowercase, no punctuation). Feels like a friend, not a brand. Highest open rates in most audiences.
Formula 4: Announcement
'We just launched something we've been sitting on for 6 months'. Works for actual announcements. Never fake this or you'll burn trust.
Formula 5: Question that hits a pain
'Sending emails that nobody opens?' Only works if you can genuinely help solve it in the email.
Keep it under 50 characters
Mobile inboxes cut off subjects at 40 to 50 chars. Test yours on iPhone Mail app before sending. If the punchline gets cut, rewrite.
Avoid spam triggers
ALL CAPS, exclamation marks!!, the word 'free', dollar signs $$$, 'click here', and 'buy now' send you straight to Promotions or Junk. Talk like a human.
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