Okay. Slight exaggeration on the ‘life-saving’ part.
But here is:
Writing Tip Wednesday #1: Subject lines
Or #2 really, since that 15 Ways to Write Better post a while ago.
Why though?
As I’m fond of alliteration, Writing Tip Wednesday seemed like a fun idea - don’t hold me hostage over it. My friends and the people I chat with on a daily basis are coaches, artists, entrepreneurs, marketeers, writers, poets, and mostly people that offer their knowledge and love to the betterment of their community.
So, to lend a hand: I’m sharing tools from my 10-year content strategy journey that help you engage better with your audience.
Is there a specific subject you’d like to see discussed next time? 👇
This week’s Writing Tip Wednesday: 19 subject line frameworks
Email drips, email funnels, email grabbers. The medium of sending mail electronically is far from dead. Even with the advent of selling services through social media, ultimately, businesses still want to grow their own email lists.
Because people are not sitting ducks, waiting in the same field for stale bread. - And even ducks migrate.
So building an email list helps you to group your audience. Having people actually open your emails is another skill in itself.
Now, enough chit-chat.
Here are 19 subject line templates that do the heavy lifting for you.
Have fun,
Roel
P.s.
And if you’d like me to help with your business, find me here
P.p.s.
Poetry will be back on the menu soon
lower case
- these subject lines work best
- how I learned about ___
- never thought you were the answer
Why it works: we’re primed for our inbox to have subject lines with capitalized words. So seeing something out of the ordinary evokes curiosity.The 1-2 word
- woops
- email mistake
- pineapple people
- read this
Why it works: 1 or 2-word subject lines bring the promise of urgency. The sender obviously had no time to tinker with longer headlines, therefore this must be of serious interest to you.Curiosity
- Where I get my inspiration from
- doing this for 5 minutes every morning makes you more loved
- the best food for creativity
Why it works: we are curious beings. We want to know the answer to things. Sometimes the answer actually gives us value. Other times we just want to ‘store’ the information for a later point in time.Contrast
- Why artists have no boundaries
- which is better vegan or carnivore diet?
Why it works: I’m not a fan of the increasing polarity happening in the world. Yet, psychologically we tend to pick sides. Even if we don’t admit it, we are rarely completely indifferent.Controversial
- AVOID avocados at all cost (unless…)
- What you don’t want to know about restaurant kitchens
- Narcissism isn’t a problem, this is:
Why it works: We like scoops, especially those with a bold statement.Checklists
- 25 words that instantly make you smile
- 5 landscapes that look like Lord of The Rings
- Learn about these 9 artists before they go mainstream
Why it works: A lot of information promised in one post. That’s good value for a single click.Reverse checklists
- Why listing 19 subjectline templates is a bad idea (because it’s long)
- Don’t make these 5 copywriting mistakes
- 7 ways to not make money (but is insanely fun)
Why it works: Loss aversion. We are wired to cling more onto what we stand to lose, over what we stand to gain. So when there is a prompt towards loss / prohibiting behaviour, we want to know.Comparison
- who would win: a lion vs a gorilla
- Poetry vs Prose
- cats vs dogs
Why it works: Similar to contrast, but comparison actually helps us deduce and improve our decisions and feelings about topics. Think of the time you researched buying a new phone. It’s likely that you ended up with a comparison list which influenced your decision. I certainly have.Callout
- Poets: this is how you start and finish a performance
- Coaches: these are 5 questions that get you to the core of your client
- Environmental Activists: wait till you here about THIS law
Why it works: This helps you call out directly to your audience. If I fall in that category, I’d like to know what you have to say.Giveaway
- [Free template]: 21 subject lines to use as a life line
- [Discount code giveaway]: 30% on our next writing workshop
- Free PDF: everything you need to know about event organizing
Why it works: Free stuff.Check-in
- Hey, are you okay?
- Just checking in with you
- Following up
Why it works: Empathy is a human virtue. Having someone genuinely check-in with us is mostly a welcome feeling.Before and after
- I became homeless in the crisis… but now I have 5 houses
- She was starving… now she makes 10k per week
- There was no love… and then we got a puppy
Why it works: Seeing results. Especially when offering a service or a product, we want to see what you offer actually works.Question
- Are you still looking for a copywriter?
- Have you filed your taxes yet?
- Did you hear about the best thing in Bali yet?
Why it works: Why do we respond to questions? Because it opens a dialogue. Here is someone that wants to hear my opinion. And I’ll give it. Or at least see what the fuss is about.Fill in the blanks
- Why ___ can make or break your business
- Artists who ___ get more commission work
- ___ helps to increase serotonin
Why it works: This one leans heavy on evoking curiosity with your audience. This only really works if the statement actually makes me care about the answer.Quirky and weird
- that time Mick Jagger and I took our pants off
- Urine enemas are healthy
- Charlie Chaplin LOST a Charlie Chaplin look-a-like competition
Why it works: The promise to be amazed as soon as you open that email.Prediction
- This is the day the music will die
- JPMorgan's Jamie Dimon warns U.S. likely to tip into recession in 6 to 9 months
- Medewi: the next Bali destination to get big
Why it works: An insight in the future, by a market expert? Yes, please. Bring it.Announcements
- Netflix announces show with real kung-fu pandas
- Introducing the app that brings bedroom pleasure
- Unleashed: our new website
Why it works: Announcements such as app releases, product releases, service launches etc. appeal to the fans of your business. Be the first one in the door. It also brings a hint of urgency.Last chance
- LAST CHANCE: cart closes 12pm CET
- [Count down 3 hours]: save 50% on your order today
- this is it: final call to sign up for the last 3 spots
Why it works: Not everyone in your audience knows about your service or product. By creating scarcity and urgency in a single subject line you’re bound to get higher open rates. Be authentic about it though. Don’t fake your offer.Save your subject lines
This is more of a tip. There are many great headlines out there. Pay attention next time you open an email or see a news headline and write it down if it moved you to action. #steallikeanartist.
Some of the copywriters / marketeers I subscribe to that have incredibly captivating subjectlines: Daniel Throssel, Josh Spector, Justin Welsh. They’re loud, but they work.
That’s all for this Writing Tip Wednesday.
Let me know in the comments what else you’d like to learn.