You’re working hard to craft the perfect email for your congregation, fundraising event, or church update—but what good is all that effort if no one opens it? The truth is, the email subject line plays a major role in whether or not people click on your message. Getting your emails opened is the first step to engagement, so it’s crucial to get this part right.
In this article, we’ll walk you through practical tips for writing subject lines that grab attention and increase your open rate. From using curiosity and urgency to keeping it personal, you’ll learn actionable strategies to make your emails irresistible.
A Detailed Explanation of How to Write Email Subject Lines That Get Opened
Creating a powerful subject line can make all the difference in your email marketing success. Let’s break down the top strategies that will help you craft subject lines that drive higher open rates.
Keep It Short and Sweet
People are inundated with emails every day, so your subject line needs to stand out in a crowded inbox. One of the easiest ways to do this is by keeping your subject line short and to the point. Most inboxes, especially mobile ones, only display the first 50 characters of an email subject line. By sticking to 6-10 words or about 40-50 characters, you maximize readability.
Why Short Subject Lines Work:
- Mobile Optimization: With the majority of people checking emails on their phones, shorter subject lines are more likely to be fully seen.
- Clarity: Busy readers tend to skim. A brief subject line gives them the information they need at a glance.
- Focus: Short subject lines force you to focus on the most essential point of your email, making it more effective.
Use Numbers and Lists
Numbers are attention-grabbing because they provide specific information in a clear, digestible way. Subject lines like “5 Ways to Improve Your Faith Journey” or “3 Tips to Strengthen Family Ties” offer tangible value. People know exactly what to expect and are often curious to learn more.
Tips for Using Numbers:
- Odd numbers work best: Research shows that odd numbers in subject lines, such as 3, 5, or 7, tend to perform better than even numbers.
- Be specific: Numbers give your subject line a sense of urgency and clarity. It’s more compelling to say “10 Strategies for Church Growth” than “Church Growth Tips.”
Create a Sense of Urgency
One way to compel your audience to open your email is to make them feel like they need to act now. Adding urgency to your subject line can be highly effective when there’s a limited time offer, upcoming event, or a critical update.
Examples:
- “Only 3 Spots Left for This Sunday’s Service!”
- “Last Chance: Register for Our Volunteer Workshop”
Urgency can create a fear of missing out (FOMO), which often drives people to open the email to avoid missing something important.
Personalize Whenever Possible
Personalization can take many forms, from using the recipient’s name to tailoring the subject line based on previous interactions or interests. Adding a personal touch helps to establish a connection with the reader, making the email feel more relevant and less like mass communication.
How to Personalize:
- Use the recipient’s first name: “John, You’re Invited to Our Special Service.”
- Reference past actions: “Your Free Devotional Guide Awaits, Sarah!”
Personalization grabs attention because people are more likely to notice something that directly speaks to them.
Ask a Thought-Provoking Question
Questions naturally spark curiosity. People want to know the answer, so using a question in your subject line can be an effective way to boost open rates. Just ensure that the question is relevant to the email content and aligns with your reader’s interests.
Examples:
- “Are You Making These Common Spiritual Mistakes?”
- “What’s Holding You Back From a Closer Relationship with God?”
By raising a question, you’re encouraging the recipient to click and discover the answer inside the email.
Use Emojis (But Sparingly)
Emojis can add a touch of personality and fun to your email subject lines, helping them stand out in a crowded inbox. However, it’s important not to overdo it. One or two well-placed emojis can increase open rates, while too many can make your email appear unprofessional or spammy.
When to Use Emojis:
- Holidays or special occasions: Use emojis to bring festive vibes to your subject line, e.g., 🎄 “Join Our Christmas Eve Service!”
- For light-hearted content: Add an emoji to convey fun, such as 🎉 “Let’s Celebrate Our Church’s Anniversary!”
Be sure that the emoji fits naturally with the tone of your message.
A/B Testing Your Subject Lines
No matter how well-crafted a subject line seems, you won’t know how effective it is until you test it. A/B testing allows you to compare two versions of your subject line to see which one performs better. This method helps you fine-tune your approach to understand what resonates most with your audience.
A/B Testing Best Practices:
- Test one variable at a time: Only change one element of the subject line (such as word choice or length) to get clear results.
- Monitor key metrics: Focus on open rates as the primary metric, but also consider click-through rates (CTR) and conversion rates.
- Test regularly: Make A/B testing a regular part of your email campaigns to continuously improve your results.
The Role of Preheader Text
The preheader text (the snippet of text that appears right after the subject line) is like a secondary subject line. It gives recipients a bit more context about what’s inside the email. Use this space to complement or expand on your subject line.
Examples:
- Subject: “How to Grow Your Faith in 5 Easy Steps”
- Preheader: “Discover practical ways to deepen your spiritual journey today.”
The combination of the subject line and preheader text should work together to entice the reader to open the email.
Optimize for Mobile Devices
With over half of all emails being opened on mobile devices, ensuring that your subject lines are mobile-friendly is critical. This means shorter subject lines, concise wording, and even using emojis where appropriate for that extra touch of engagement.
Mobile users are often scrolling quickly, so the more optimized your subject line is for mobile, the higher your chances of standing out in their inbox.
Use Action-Oriented Language
An effective subject line should inspire action. Using strong, actionable verbs can create a sense of direction and purpose for the recipient. This language encourages readers to engage with the content immediately rather than postponing it for later.
Examples:
- “Join Us This Sunday for a Special Service”
- “Discover 5 Ways to Boost Your Prayer Life Today”
When you use action words, you set the tone for what the reader can expect, which can lead to higher engagement.
Everything Else You Need to Know About Writing Email Subject Lines
Writing an engaging subject line involves balancing creativity, clarity, and strategy. Experiment with different styles—whether that’s posing a question, creating urgency, or personalizing the message. By constantly testing and refining, you’ll eventually discover what works best for your audience.
How Africads Consultants Can Help
At Africads Consultants, we understand that crafting compelling subject lines is just one part of a successful email campaign. Our team specializes in email marketing strategies tailored to churches and nonprofits. Whether you’re looking to improve your open rates, manage your lists, or automate your email marketing, we provide expert services to help you reach your goals.
With our extensive experience in email marketing for churches, we also offer comprehensive tools like email list building strategies, email automation, and more. Let us help you build a stronger connection with your congregation through powerful email campaigns.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes a good email subject line?
A good email subject line is short, clear, and engaging. It often uses personalization, numbers, or action-oriented language to attract attention. - How many characters should my subject line have?
Aim for around 40-50 characters or 6-10 words to ensure the subject line is fully displayed on most devices. - Do emojis improve open rates?
Yes, when used sparingly and appropriately, emojis can make your subject line stand out and improve open rates. - Should I personalize my subject lines?
Personalization increases the chance of an email being opened because it makes the message feel more relevant to the recipient. - What is A/B testing in email subject lines?
A/B testing compares two different subject lines to determine which one generates a higher open rate. - Can I use questions in subject lines?
Yes, asking a question in the subject line can spark curiosity and encourage recipients to open the email to find the answer. - How important is preheader text?
Preheader text acts as a secondary subject line and is an important element that can improve open rates when crafted well. - What’s the best way to create urgency in a subject line?
Use words like “limited time,” “last chance,” or “only a few spots left” to create urgency and encourage immediate action. - How often should I test my subject lines?
Regular testing is key. Continuously A/B test different subject lines to learn what works best for your audience. - Can I use numbers in subject lines?
Yes, numbers help make subject lines clear and specific. Odd numbers like 3, 5, or 7 tend to perform best.
