The key to sending a successful cold email isn’t necessarily writing the perfect sales pitch or sending it at just the right time (though these are important, too) – it’s convincing your prospect to open and read your message.
So, how can you make sure your email gets opened? With compelling cold email subject lines that stand out in even the most cluttered inbox.
Once you’ve identified who you want to contact and managed to find their email address, crafting the perfect cold email subject line is the number one thing that influences how likely your prospect is to read your message at all. Not only is the subject line your first chance to make an impression, it could be your last if it doesn’t get clicked.
We talked about how to increase your email open rates in an earlier post that touched on the importance of a well-crafted subject line. But cold email subject lines are such a hot topic that we’re taking an even deeper dive into how you can make your sales email subject lines work for you.
Related Posts
- Multi-step Email Campaigns
- Cold Email Campaigns: The Complete Guide to Cold Email Outreach and Sales
- How to Write Sales Follow-Up Emails that Close Every Time (With 10 Templates You Can Steal)
Today’s post will cover:
- How to write an effective cold email subject line.
- The three different types of cold email subject lines you should be using.
- Examples of powerful cold email subject lines that will get your message opened.
What Makes an Email Subject Line Irresistible?
Learning how to write an effective cold email subject line is the first step to opening up more sales opportunities using cold email campaigns.
So, what makes a sales email subject line irresistible?
Your subject line should speak directly to the person you’re contacting and deliberately pique their interest – perhaps by asking a question, saying something controversial, or using time to create a sense of urgency.
According to Convince & Convert, 69% of people who report emails as spam do so based on the subject line. That means including salesy words like “free” in the subject line could get your email deleted or flagged.
When in doubt, write like a human. Using lowercase type, casual language, or even intentionally including a typo proves that you’re a real person – not a robot or corporate drone.
39 Effective Cold Email Subject Lines to Try for Yourself
There are three main types of cold emails sales reps need to send: introductions, follow-ups, and breakup emails. Since certain subject lines are more effective at different stages of contact, we’ve collected and organized 39 examples of sales email subject lines that will help you grab anyone’s attention.
Message #1: The Introduction Email
Remember, the first hurdle you need to overcome is simply getting your email opened. When you first reach out to a new contact, you need a strong subject line that won’t be ignored. Here are a few examples of subject lines to use in your introduction emails:
Ask a question in your subject line
1. Appropriate Person?
2. Are you the right person to speak to?
3. Where shall I start?
4. Could you point me in the right direction?
Make your subject line personal
Personalizing your email subject in any way, like using your prospect’s name, gives you a 22.2% higher chance of having your email opened, according to a report from Adestra.
5. Tyler, a bit of advice?
6. Tyler, can you help me out?
7. Tyler - You’ll love this
8. Eric recommended I get in touch with you
Referrals provide a powerful advantage in the world of cold email. Using a mutual contact’s name in the subject line creates instant credibility and makes your prospect more inclined to open and reply to your message.
