The Game of Email Subject Line

You might have not given it a thought but your emails add up to a hefty amount of communications that you do with your prospects or clients. But hardly had we put in time to sculpture the email to look convincing enough to be opened. And as rightly said the bridge between a prospect and a lead is the email subject line that can convince a prospect to open it.

So here are few pointers for sale-reps to make sure that your email subject line provides you edge to be noticed.

Just to the point –

Boomerang studied 40 million emails to conclude that subject with three to four words got the highest open rates.
Let’s get the point clear- five to seven words are enough to give a hint of the content. If seven words can’t lead to open the email, chances are 70 words can’t get it either.

Example – If you were to write and email to a prospect – “Appointment for Product demo” is a good subject line rather than “Request an appointment for a product demo tomorrow at 3 PM”

The second subject line is very informative and hence will not invite a prospect to open the email. The first one is long enough to hint and short enough to tempt for more information (regarding time, venue etc)
Also shorter subject lines are much more readable on mobile devices compared to the longer ones

Being over-smart does not pay –

Do not be fooled to be a winner if you mislead someone to open your email. Misleading can end up permanently blocking your email and hence losing a prospect for ever.

Example – “Follow-up against the meeting on 5th May” is a good subject line and sounds important. But if it is faked just to fool a prospect to open the email, one may end up with losing the prospect altogether.

Being Bought Vs Being Sold –

It almost needs a miracle to convince a prospect to buy something over an email subject line. We recommend not trying this at all. Your email subject is quite a scarce resource so put it to a good use.

Here is a good read on – Why a good sales rep make their client feel as if they are buying a product rather than making then feel that they are being sold one.

Example – Head of Service from <Company Name> – Requesting demo for <Product Name>
It will be rare that your prospects know your company or your product name. And more over prospects need a solution of their issues in hand irrespective of who is providing it. What matters is a credible and durable solution.

“Boost your sales process with technology – Request Demo” is better than the former subject line.

Check your facts –

Usage of automated emails are common place. If you are one of such candidate make sure that you have your facts right. Emailing services that uses tokens to personalise an email can only be successful with correct data. In case you have not organized or not sure of the data it is better to handcraft your emails. You would not like to experiment with wrong or unrelated information right on the subject line of your email while sending it to your prospects.

If you have your tips and tricks for sales challenges then do share with us.