Email Subject Lines That Actually Get Opened

Your email might be brilliant. Your message might be perfectly crafted. None of it matters if the subject line doesn't get opened.

The subject line is your email's first impression—and often its only chance. Here's how to write ones that work.

TL;DR:

• Keep subject lines under 50 characters
• Be specific, not clever
• Front-load the most important words
• Avoid spam trigger words
• Match the subject to the content

Why Subject Lines Matter More Than Ever

The average professional receives 120+ emails per day. Most get scanned in under 3 seconds. Your subject line is competing against 119 others for attention.

A good subject line:

• Clearly signals what the email is about
• Creates enough curiosity to click
• Respects the reader's time
• Matches the actual content inside

The Anatomy of a Strong Subject Line

Effective subject lines share these traits:

1. Specificity

Vague subjects get ignored. Specific subjects get opened.

Vague: "Quick update" Specific: "Q3 budget approved—next steps"

Vague: "Question for you" Specific: "Question about Thursday's presentation"

2. Relevance to the Reader

The best subject lines answer: "Why should I care?"

Weak: "New company policy" Strong: "New PTO policy starts Monday"

Weak: "Meeting follow-up" Strong: "Action items from today's marketing sync"

3. Appropriate Length

Most email clients cut off subjects around 50-60 characters. Mobile shows even less (about 30-40).

Put the most important words first:

• "Budget approval needed by Friday" ✓
• "I wanted to reach out about the budget that needs approval by Friday" ✗

4. Honest Preview

Clickbait works once. Then you lose trust. Match your subject to your content.

Subject Lines for Common Situations

Meeting Requests

Do:

• "15 min to discuss Q4 strategy?"
• "Coffee Tuesday? Would love to catch up"
• "Scheduling: Website redesign kickoff"

Don't:

• "Can we meet?"
• "Quick chat"
• "Touching base"

Following Up

Do:

• "Following up: Proposal from last week"
• "Any questions about the report?"
• "Checking in on project timeline"

Don't:

• "Just following up"
• "Bumping this to the top"
• "RE: RE: RE: RE: Original subject"

Sharing Information

Do:

• "Monthly analytics report attached"
• "New logo files for review"
• "Team dinner details for Friday"

Don't:

• "FYI"
• "See attached"
• "Information"

Making Requests

Do:

• "Input needed: Client proposal by Thursday"
• "Quick approval needed on expense report"
• "5 min ask: Review my slides?"

Don't:

• "Urgent!!!"
• "Please read immediately"
• "ASAP"

Delivering Bad News

Do:

• "Project delay: New timeline inside"
• "Change to Thursday's plans"
• "Budget revision needed"

Don't:

• "We need to talk"
• "Bad news"
• "Houston, we have a problem"

Words That Help (and Hurt)

Words That Increase Opens

• Recipient's name (when appropriate)
• Specific dates and times
• Numbers and data
• Action words: "Update," "Reminder," "Invitation"

Words That Trigger Spam Filters

• "FREE!!!" (all caps, multiple punctuation)
• "Act now"
• "Limited time"
• "Winner"
• "Congratulations"
• "Click here"

Words That Feel Manipulative

• "Urgent" (when it isn't)
• "Quick question" (when it's actually a big ask)
• "Hope you're well" (as a subject line)
• "Sorry to bother you"

Advanced Techniques

The Bracket Method

Use brackets to categorize your email at a glance:

• "[Action Required] Budget approval by Friday"
• "[FYI] Updated org chart attached"
• "[Response Needed] Input on marketing copy"

The Question Format

Questions create psychological tension that demands resolution:

• "Can you review this by Tuesday?"
• "What did you think of the proposal?"
• "Should we reschedule Thursday?"

The Personalized Touch

Including their name or project can boost opens:

• "Sarah—quick question about Acme account"
• "Re: Our call about the Johnson project"

Testing Your Subject Lines

Before you hit send, ask yourself:

1. Would I open this if I received it?
2. Does it accurately describe what's inside?
3. Is the most important information at the front?
4. Is it under 50 characters?
5. Does it avoid spam trigger words?

The Bottom Line

A good subject line is clear, specific, and honest. It tells the reader exactly what to expect and why it matters to them.

Don't try to be clever—try to be useful. The best subject line is one that makes the reader think: "I need to open this now."

That's it. No tricks, no gimmicks. Just clarity and relevance.