Get Higher Open Rates By Abbie Drew Dec 8, 2011

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Did I get your attention with today's subject line?

Recently, I was reading that when you compose an email 50%
of your effort should be on creating the subject line and
the other 50% should be on the message body.

Do you spend 50% of your efforts on writing the subject line?

Studies show improving subject lines can increase open
rates 10% or more. The more opens your email gets, the more
click- thrus your email will have and as a result the
greater your returns will be.

So - what makes up a good subject line?

Here are 5 tips to writing a killer subject line, including
the "Secret" 3-letter word guaranteed to improve your open
rates.

1) Be Relevant!

What problems and/or interests do your readers have?

The subject line of your email should cover how your email
message will be of interest to your readers.

Short and concise subject lines often work well. But be
sure you explain your message's relevant content in the
short space.

2) Tell me what do I GET ?

Emphasize what the reader gets when they open your email.
We all like to be given gifts, freebies, information, etc..
So, tell your readers up front what they'll receive from
you in your subject line.

In fact, use the "Secret" 3 letter word - GET - to start
your subject line.

When you start your subject line with "Get" your message
becomes value centered on what the reader will receive from
you. Value centered subject lines generate the highest
response!


3) Grab Attention!

Think of your email subject line like the beginning of a
movie. It has to capture your reader's attention and draw
them into your message.

The key to grabbing your readers attention is to use a
"point first" structure to your subject line. A point first
structure states your messages value first, or as soon as
possible, at the beginning of your subject.

Thus, after you use the word - "Get" - next tell your
reader the value you are giving them.

Let's use the subject line in today's issue as an example.

"Get Higher Open Rates!"

First the subject states - Get Higher Open Rates - it tells
you the point covered in the issue right away - "Higher
Open Rates".

The subject line focus on giving you value without you
having to take any action. The subject doesn't say -
click for a free info or open now. Instead the subject line
states what you'll get from this issue of DEMC.

Remember this "Giving" formula for writing subject lines
and you'll be amazed at how your open rates improve.


4) Use specifics.

Exact numbers and percentages are easy to understand and
make your message more believable. Numbers set expectations
for readers and communicate that your offer is valid.

For example, to make the subject line in today's issue more
powerful and quantifiable, I could have used a number or
percentage to describe the increase in open rates.

Thus saying - "Get Double Your Open Rates" or
"Get 10% Higher Open Rates" - would have improved the
performance of this email even further.

Another tactic would have been to describe the number or
amount of information provided in the email, such as -
"Get 5 Tips to Higher Open Rates".


5) Create Urgency

Deadlines are also another effective tactic to increase
your open rate.

Most people wait until the last minute to act, so telling
readers the offer is limited will encourage them to act now
and open your message.

Use these 5 tips and tweak your email subject lines. A good
subject line is critical to email success!

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