Have you ever opened your inbox and immediately dismissed an email because the subject line just didn’t grab your attention? You’re not alone—Hubspot states that 64% of recipients decide to open or delete emails based on subject lines.
The truth is, bad email subject lines can easily make your message go unnoticed, no matter how great the content is inside. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back!
Let’s explore 13 mistakes to avoid when writing a subject line for email, so you can make sure your emails not only get opened but actually get the response you’re looking for. Let’s fix those email subject line mistakes and turn them into something irresistible!
1. Using clickbait or misleading content
Clickbait is designed to grab attention with exaggerated or misleading promises, but it usually leads to disappointment when the content doesn’t live up to the hype. While clickbait may result in a higher open rate, it damages your credibility and trust with your audience in the long run. Instead, aim to create subject lines that reflect the actual value or content of your email, offering something meaningful that matches the reader’s expectations.
Example:
- Last Chance to Get a 90% Discount!”
What went wrong: The discount was not as big as promised, and readers felt misled when they opened the email, damaging the brand’s credibility.
Instead, aim for subject lines that are accurate and reflect the true content of your email. For instance:
- “Exclusive Offer Inside: Save 30% on Your Next Purchase!”
2. Making it too long
Long subject lines can get cut off on mobile devices, leaving your message incomplete or unclear. Since 55% of emails are opened on mobile, according to HubSpot, it’s crucial to keep your subject lines under 50 characters.
If the subject line is too lengthy, readers might skip over it without reading the whole thing. Aim for concise, impactful, and easy to read subject lines. This ensures your message fits on any device and captures attention right away.
3. Failing to create urgency
Without a sense of urgency, your email might be put off and forgotten. To encourage immediate action, use language that conveys urgency—like limited-time offers, countdowns, or reminders. Phrases like “Only 24 hours left!” or “Hurry, before it’s gone!” motivate readers to act quickly, increasing the chances they’ll open the email right away.
4. Forgetting personalization
Good email subject lines are personalized. Personalization goes beyond just using the recipient’s name. It involves writing subject lines that speak to the individual’s needs, interests, or past interactions with your brand. In fact, according to Invespcro, emails with personalized subject lines are 22% more likely to be opened.
A generic email subject line can feel impersonal and make your email seem like spam. Take the time to tailor subject lines based on your audience’s preferences or behaviors, increasing the likelihood of them opening the email.
Here’s how you can personalize your email subject lines:
- Use the recipient’s name
- Reference past purchases or actions
- Segment your audience
- Acknowledge milestones
- Suggest relevant products or content
5. Overusing capital letters
Writing in all caps can be perceived as shouting and may turn off your readers. It also has the potential to trigger spam filters, preventing your email from even reaching the inbox. Use capital letters sparingly to emphasize important words or key points, but avoid an all-caps approach, which can make your subject line look unprofessional or desperate.
6. Adding too many exclamation marks
While exclamation marks can convey excitement, overusing them can have the opposite effect—making your email seem frantic or untrustworthy. Too many exclamation points can also trigger spam filters, reducing the chances of your email landing in the inbox. Stick to one or two exclamation marks at most to maintain professionalism and avoid overwhelming your reader.
7. Neglecting to test for spam triggers
Certain words or phrases can automatically flag your email as spam, making it more likely to end up in the junk folder. Words like “free,” “urgent,” or “limited time offer” might seem harmless but can trigger spam filters. Before sending your email, test your subject lines with spam-checking tools to ensure they don’t include any red flags and increase the chances of your email getting delivered.
Malemeteor and Experte are reliable tools for checking your emails and helping you make adjustments to avoid them ending up in spam.
8. Using vague or generic wording
Vague subject lines don’t give the reader a clear reason to open the email, which can result in them ignoring it. Phrases like “Important update” or “You won’t believe this!” don’t provide enough context or value.
Be specific in your subject line, telling the reader exactly what they can expect from opening the email. This helps create intrigue and encourages engagement.
9. Overloading with emojis
Emojis can help convey emotion or add visual appeal to a subject line, but overusing them can make your email appear unprofessional or spammy. Too many emojis can clutter your message and distract from the main point. Use emojis sparingly and in moderation to complement your subject line, not overwhelm it.
Example:
- “?? Huge Sale Today!! Don’t Miss Out!! ??”
What went wrong: Overloading with emojis makes the subject line look cluttered and unprofessional, potentially triggering spam filters.
Instead, try using just one or two emojis, if at all, to emphasize key points and keep the focus on your offer. For instance:
- “? New Arrivals – Shop the Latest Styles Now!”
10. Including irrelevant keywords
Including keywords that aren’t relevant to the content of your email can confuse your audience and harm your email’s effectiveness. For instance, if your subject line talks about “Free Gift” but the email is about a sale, your reader will feel misled. Stick to keywords that reflect the actual message or offer inside the email, keeping your subject line clear and truthful.
11. Ignoring your target audience
Not considering your audience’s preferences and interests when writing a subject line can make it feel irrelevant. Different segments of your audience may respond better to different tones, topics, or offers.
Take the time to understand your target audience’s needs and write email subject lines that resonate with them specifically. This will help boost open rates and engagement with your emails.
12. Using repetitive phrases across campaigns
If you use the same phrases or subject lines too often, your audience might become bored or fatigued by your emails. Repetition can lead to decreased open rates and make your emails feel stale.
Keep your email subject line fresh and creative by experimenting with new phrasing and offers. This keeps your email campaigns interesting and engaging for your readers.
13. Not offering value upfront
If your email subject line doesn’t tell the reader what’s in it for them, they’re less likely to open it. Readers are bombarded with hundreds of emails every day, so you need to stand out by offering immediate value or benefit.
Whether it’s a discount, valuable content, or an exclusive offer, make sure your subject line clearly communicates what the reader will gain by opening the email.
Master your email subject line with ease
Writing the perfect email subject line can feel like a lot of pressure, right? But, with just a little bit of thought and creativity, you can avoid the common mistakes that make your emails get lost in the crowd. The key is to keep it relevant, personal, and clear. Don’t overwhelm your readers with gimmicks or clutter.
And if you’re ever stuck for ideas or need help coming up with the perfect subject line, we’ve got a solution for you. The PosterMyWall AI Writer is a fantastic email subject line generator that can take the guesswork out of it. With just a few clicks, you can get creative, irresistible subject lines that will grab your audience’s attention every time.
Ready to take your email campaigns to the next level? Let PosterMyWall do the heavy lifting for you!
