Disconcerting email subject lines
In recent weeks some email subject lines hit my inbox that I found disconcerting. These emails were from marketers.
“Sorry, we’ve got to let you go.” That’s a panic-inducing subject line and even though I don’t have a job (I’m self-employed) it was still panic-inducing rather that curiosity-arousing.
“URGENT DEADLINE” was another panic-inducing subject line because I’m a copywriter and usually have a few client projects going on at once so a subject line like that isn’t particularly calming.
“I love you.” I didn’t like that subject line at all because it’s clear it was gimmicky and my reaction was, “Um, hello, I don’t even know you.” Plus it would’ve been weird if one of my daughters had been looking over my shoulder when it arrived.
So the takeaway from this is to focus on making the reader curious and intrigued when composing a subject line, rather than turned off or panic-y.
Filed under: Subject Lines
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Anita Ashland is a direct response copywriter specializing in email copy. Sign up free to get fun stories about email copywriting and more!
