How to Write the Perfect Cold Email Subject Line that Converts

Feb 03, 2024

Frank Jenkins

A cold email is an email that you send to someone who doesn’t know you or your business. It’s a way of reaching out to potential customers, clients, partners, or influencers. But how do you get them to open your email and read your message?

The answer is: you need a cold email subject line that grabs their attention and makes them curious. A cold email subject line is the first thing that they see when they receive your email. It’s the deciding factor that determines whether they will open it or ignore it.

But how do you write a cold email subject line that converts? How do you make sure that your email stands out from the hundreds of other emails that they receive every day? In this blog post, we will share some tips and examples on how to write the best cold email subject lines that will get you more responses and conversions.

Tip 1: Keep it short and simple

One of the most important rules of writing a cold email subject line is to keep it short and simple. According to a study by HubSpot, the optimal length of a subject line is between three and five words. Anything longer than that will get cut off by most email clients and mobile devices.

A short and simple subject line is also easier to read and understand. It doesn’t confuse or overwhelm the recipient. It tells them exactly what your email is about and why they should open it.

Some examples of short and simple cold email subject lines are:

• Quick question for you
• I have an idea for you
• Can I get your opinion?
• A favor from a fellow [industry]
• You’re invited to [event]

Tip 2: Personalize it with their name or company

Another way to make your cold email subject line more appealing is to personalize it with their name or company. This shows that you have done some research on them and that you are not sending a generic email to everyone. It also makes them feel more valued and respected.

Personalizing your subject line can also increase your open rates. If you are sending a lot of volume, personalizing each one can be very time-consuming. For that you can leverage AI tools to help you.

Some examples of personalized cold email subject lines are:

• Hi [name], I love your work
• [name], I have a question for you
• How [company] can benefit from [your offer]
• [name], can you help me with this?
• Congratulations on your [achievement], [name]

Tip 3: Use a question or a curiosity gap

Another effective technique to write a cold email subject line that converts is to use a question or a curiosity gap. A question is a direct way of engaging the recipient and inviting them to reply. A curiosity gap is a way of creating intrigue and suspense by withholding some information or promising something valuable.

Both methods work by tapping into the recipient’s curiosity and interest. They make them want to know more and open your email to find out the answer or the solution.

Some examples of cold email subject lines that use a question or a curiosity gap are:

• Do you know the secret to [benefit]?
• How to [achieve goal] in [time frame]
• The one thing you need to know about [topic]
• What if I told you [something surprising]?
• The biggest mistake you’re making with [problem]

Tip 4: Be specific and relevant

The last tip to write a cold email subject line that converts is to be specific and relevant. This means that you should avoid vague or generic statements that don’t tell the recipient anything about your email or your offer. Instead, you should use specific words and phrases that relate to their needs, goals, challenges, or interests.

Being specific and relevant also helps you to avoid spam filters and increase your deliverability. Spam filters are designed to block emails that contain suspicious or irrelevant words or phrases. By using specific and relevant words, you can avoid triggering these filters and ensure that your email reaches the recipient’s inbox.

Some examples of specific and relevant cold email subject lines are:

• How to save $500 on your next [purchase]
• The ultimate guide to [skill] in 2024
• How I got [result] with [tool]
• How to get featured on [platform]
• The best [product] for [situation]

Conclusion

Writing a cold email subject line that converts is not easy, but it’s not impossible either. By following these tips and examples, you can craft a cold email subject line that will catch the recipient’s attention and make them want to open your email and read your message.

Remember, the goal of your cold email subject line is to get them to open your email. The goal of your email is to get them to reply or take action. So make sure that your email delivers on the promise of your subject line and provides value to the recipient.