Top 10 Most Effective E-Mail List Subject Lines

Top 10 Most Effective E-Mail List Subject Lines

All the internet marketing gurus will tell you to build a mailing list as quickly as possible because e-mail converts. They’ll say to dangle a carrot in front of a visitor’s eyes by way of an eBook in exchange for contact permission – it’s that important. Of course, once you build up this massive database then you have the ability to easily print money! That’s what they’ll tell you, right?

Having an mailing list of any size, promoting the most valuable affiliate products and producing the best exclusive content really doesn’t matter unless the subscribers actually open their e-mail. So, what can you do to increase this rate?

The subject line of your e-mail is the most important, if not the only factor in whether the messages are opened frequently or not. Should it be short or long? Should it be conversational or informational? Who cares? All that matters is that dumb people open it and take action. (and we all know dumb people click on links)

To help you out, I’ve compiled my list of the top 10 most effective subject lines for any campaign. Feel free to cut and paste them for your own use – get results from your next e-mail list blast!

10. Please don’t open this e-mail.

9. Your bank account has been credited $100.

8. Fwd: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: (first name)

7. Don’t blame me – You opted in for this shit.

6. Your GayDate.com invite has been sent to your Facebook friends.

5. Spam, Spam, Spam, baked beans, Spam, Spam, Spam and Spam.

4. You mean a lot to us, subscriber #38741.

3. New private message from Darren Rowse.

2. I use Aweber, so I know you got this.

1. (first name), you’re the father.

Do you have any more “effective” subject lines to increase the open rate?

Laugh your ass off *and* educate yourself at the same time! Get the most hilarious free marketing tips for your business sent to your inbox. Stuff that's just too damn good to post on this blog, only available exclusively if you subscribe to my e-mail list now.

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  • Your World of Warcraft account has been banned
  • Many people wouldn't open this, because they would get a heart attack before they could click. :P
  • You are right. I remember the first time I received one I thought I was having a heart attack.
  • Those are all funny, I'll agree! But for me the one's I open are the one's that strike fear in my heart. Such as: YOU HAVE BEEN MARKED FOR ASSIMILATION BY THE BORG, GOOGLE AND PAYPAL. YOU MIGHT AS WELL OPEN THIS, RESISTANCE IS FUTILE!
  • "Don’t blame me – You opted in for this shit" This is actually correct :P
  • I'd like to bet there is one which has a 100% open rate for everyone:

    You've got money!
  • ....just getting over the shock of Gordie using the C word.....

    I looked at my recent stuff and it was quite interesting. In order of open rate:

    Case Study - Product launch (95.7%)
    Time to ask for some help
    Correction, Doh!
    Saying Goodbye
    Another free book for you
    Sorry about yesterday's email
    Amazing story about Karma
    The truth about making money online (45.9%)

    Conclusion?
    I don't know! You started this!
  • From what I'm seeing over at my other blog, the direct approach seems to work best. Just state exactly what's in the e-mail in straight forward sterile language. I think too many spammers went with the conversational approach that now many people don't trust those subject lines at all.
  • My favorites in no particular order.

    1. Open this email, you c*nt or we'll hack your computer. (Actually turned out to be an email from my parents asking me if I'ld be home for Christmas.)

    2. Get your free Viagra, now!!!

    3. Your friend Jordan Cooper has invited you to join Shemale Friend Finder.

    4. Aryan Nation newsletter subscription renewal notice.

    5. You can increase your rod by 4 inches in only 4 weeks.
  • Gordie, you actually have a good sense of humor! :-)

    I like the way #4 is worded especially. #3 takes the cake, of course.
  • Cheers, man. I'm glad your blog is finally here. It let's me unleash a bit of my dirty, dark side. Over at my own blog I have to pretend to anal retentive. :)
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