Being an email copywriter who specializes in email marketing, means being able to write email subject lines that get opened. You see, the subject line is the first thing people read whenever they get an email. In fact, research shows that 35% of email recipients open emails based on the subject line alone.
If you’ve spent hours crafting the perfect sales email, but your subject line doesn’t grab their attention, you’ve just wasted hours of your time. In order to get your clients results from email marketing campaigns, it’s crucial to understand the kind of subject lines that get opened.
Based on our own email list and past campaigns that have been most successful, here are some of the best examples of subject lines that get opened.
1. Humor
“I accidentally fell into the toilet”
“Eagle steals man’s hat”
Email subject lines that contain humor are one of the top types of subject lines that get opened.
People love humor. Most of the news and headlines you see today are about negative mishaps and filled with doom and gloom. When you send an email with a humorous subject line, it immediately stands out from every other negative email that they’re constantly spammed by on a daily basis. And when you stand out from everyone else, you have people’s attention.
You could tell a joke, or describe a funny event that recently happened. As long as there’s lighthearted humor in the subject line, your readers will be curious to find out more.
2. Numbers and Statistics
“Top 20 Subject Lines That Get Opened”
“15 Foods To Help You Lose Weight”
Using lists and numbers is another extremely popular type of subject lines that get opened.
Naturally, humans do not like to leave things undone. Our preferred behavior is to finish one task, and then move on to do the next. Having to leave a task in the middle of it makes us feel very uncomfortable. That’s why if you’ve ever been interrupted while in the middle of something, you get irritated or frustrated, because you now have to stop and put your focus on the person talking to you.
Numbers signify that there is something the reader can look forward to. You are making the reader a promise ahead of time as to what they can expect, such as 10 different ways to do something.
Once your reader decides to read the first item on the list, they are already committing themselves to finish the entire thing. As they go through the list one by one, the thought that there are still 5 or 3 more items they haven’t read about, will constantly be in the back of their mind. Until they finish the list, they will not feel comfortable leaving the page.
On our YouTube channel, statistics show that our YouTube videos with numbers in them – such as 10 Closing Tactics That Make Prospects Say Yes or 15 Ways to Write Sales Copy That Sells perform much better than videos that do not have numbers.
So, if you want to increase your email open rates, use numbers in your subject lines.
3. Shock
“Trump declares war on Iran”
“A global recession has finally arrived”
Humans are naturally curious creatures. We like to explore the unknown, and when presented with an opportunity to do so, it is very tempting for us to listen to our natural instincts.
When you use shock or surprise in a subject line, you are tapping into that curiosity that all humans have. That’s why news headlines use shocking headlines such as BREAKING NEWS to get your attention and make you want to know what’s going on.
A subject line that makes the reader go WHAT?! is an example of one that uses shock. Make your reader open their eyes in disbelief, and your readers will find it irresistible to open the email.
4. The Real Secret To [Blank]
Human beings are naturally curious and we want to know secrets.
We often feel that there is something we ought to know in order to avoid making mistakes that we make.
Now “secret” is a word that might be a bit overused in marketing. But this subject line actually plays on that – it shows the real secret, no just any secret.
Here are a few examples:
“The Real Secret to Fat Burning”
“The Real Secret to a Perfect Wedding”
Curiosity combined with the need to be “in the know” will get this email opened. Make sure that what you write in this type of emails is also realistic so that you earn and keep the trust of your readers.
5. The Fastest Way to [Blank]
Now, if you could choose – would you pick a slow or a fast way to do something or get somewhere? Do you want something fast or slow?
We live in a world of instant gratification. We are conditioned to be impatient, and we do not want to wait for anything.
So if you offer a method for getting a desired outcome or goal faster – you will grab your reader’s attention.
“The Fastest Way to Start Your Business”
“The Fastest Way to Make 10K a Month”
Do you see it? – Instant results.
What makes this subject line effective is that it makes a very specific promise. But you have to make sure that you remain realistic. You always have to focus on making a credible and believable promise.
If you say something outrageous such as “The Fastest Way to Make Million Dollars Overnight” – you will lose trust because that is not a realistic promise. People will not take you seriously after that.
Underpromise and your email will overdeliver in this case. If you make them a promise that readers read and think “I can do better than that” then you challenged them with your email and they will continue reading your emails.
6. Here’s a Shortcut for [Blank]
So just as we would choose fast if we had to pick between fast and slow, between easy and hard we would want easy. Right? Everyone wants to find easier ways to get things done and achieve things.
So this subject line implies that you have yet another solution for your reader. Can you see how simple and yet powerful this subject line really is?
“Here’s a Shortcut for…
…Achieving the Most in the Least Time”
…The Best Marketing Strategy”
When you use this type of a subject line, and if your offer can get your prospect an instant gratification, then you will increase your sales. This could be a software offer or a course offer – anything they can click right away and get immediately.
7. One-Word Subject Lines
If you’re struggling with coming up with subject lines that get opened, and you can’t think of a good one, use a one-word subject line.
At first glance, you may think this would never work. But in practice, it works very well because it’s a pattern interrupt. The fact that it’s just one word, makes it stand out. Most email subject lines are lengthy, have some cheesy joke or something that arouses their curiosity.
But a one-word subject line has none of that. In fact, it has NOTHING, except that one word. Because it’s so simple, that’s why it works. Your reader will look at it, become confused, and be curious to open it.
The best way to write a one-word subject line is with a greeting. Greet the reader with a subject line such as Hey, to let them know the email is intended for them. Some other good one-worded subject lines are questions, which we will get into later.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. - Steve Jobs Share on X8. FREE Anything
“FREE stuff inside”
“Do you want a FREE sofa?”
People love free stuff. When you put the word free into the subject line, your reader is immediately going to feel there is something in it for them.
Remember: Everyone on this planet is tuned into the radio station WIIFM – What’s In It For Me? If you cater to their desire to have something to gain, you will get their attention.
The word free implies there is something for them to gain at no cost. There are no strings attached. No hidden fees. Nothing that would make them suspect you want something from them. When someone has everything to gain and nothing to lose, they are going to be interested in your offer.
Using a subject line with the word free is best used when you want to offer a free sample or gift. One of the biggest problems copywriters make, is that they use the word ‘free’ to bait the reader into clicking, only for them to realize they have to make a purchase. If you use ‘free’ as clickbait, your readers will lose trust in you in the future. You may get results in the moment, but using ‘free’ as clickbait will only hurt long term customer relationships.
With any method you use, be sure you understand the consequences and intended actions that method will result in. Don’t sacrifice short term gains if it means long term losses. You will lose more in the long run.
9. How To Survive [Blank]
One of the subject lines that would get attention is the one that indicates some kind of solution to a problem that your reader might have. So the idea is that your question implies useful information that might help them resolve an issue or relieve some kind of pain.
As human beings, we often avoid discomfort. We often need to make adjustments.
If your email indicates some kind of solution to discomfort and pain the chances are – it will be open.
For example:
“How to Survive…
…a Financial Crisis”
…a Bankruptcy”
…a Heart Attack”
These are all subject lines that make people curious and indicate some sort of solution. People want to learn and these types of emails can give the reader a satisfaction of learning or doing something new.
10. Limited Time Offers
“Flash Sale Ends at Midnight”
“Limited-Time Winter Blowout Sale”
Humans naturally like to procrastinate. When there is no deadline, there is no urgency. And if there is no urgency, there is no reason to take action immediately. Instead, we will delay something for as long as possible.
If you want to get results from your emails as a copywriter, put a time-sensitive offer into the copy to get your readers to take action immediately. A sale that lasts for only 2 days will get a lot more attention than a sale that lasts for a month. To your readers, they’ll read it and think “I still have time, there’s no reason for me to buy just yet.”
The problem is that over the next 30 days, your readers are going to forget all about the sale. They’ll go on with their daily lives, and hear of other sales that are going on as well. When they encounter one that only lasts for a few days, they’ll forget all about yours, because they’ve already spent all of their money.
11. Celebrities
“Warren Buffett’s best investing secrets”
“Elon Musk’s new space rocket”
People love to know about the latest news about celebrities. Ask yourself, do you know anyone who always keeps themselves up to date about the hottest celebrity gossip?
Humans are naturally drawn to others who are successful or have a following. It is a sign that they are important, and as people, we want to associate ourselves with important figures.
Celebrities draw a lot of attention because of their status. If you want to generate a lot of attention, use a well-known person’s name in the subject line to get the reader’s attention.
12. How I [Blank]
Chances are when your subscribers sign up for your emails, they value your opinions, experiences, stories…
So, if you start your emails with this – you will give them the impression that you’re about to share something important and personal with them.
“How I Grew My…
…Youtube Channel”
…Found My Soulmate Online”
…Permanently Removed Headache”
The key with this type of email is to be as personal as possible. Be vulnerable. Open up about difficult times and make a connection with your reader. Show them that you understand where they’re at.
These emails use the power of story to connect with the reader. If you create a story that provokes an emotional reaction, you will be able to bond with your reader and engage them directly.
For more ideas, watch the video below.
13. Best or Worst
“The Best Foods To Eat In 2020”
“The Worst Sales Tactics You Are Using”
No one pays attention to mediocrity. As humans, we pay the most attention to things at extreme spectrums – such as the best or worst of things.
That’s why news outlets and media always focus on first place winners. You see magazines and articles talking about who won Gold at the Olympics, but never anything about who came second place. We are not wired to pay attention to the losers – we aspire to become the winners and as a result pay attention to them the most.
Use words that imply extremes such as best, worst, greatest, amazing, and terrible to get your reader’s attention.
14. About Your [Blank]
This type of subject line is one of our favorites. It generates a lot of curiosity.
When your readers read a subject like that they wonder – do you know something I don’t know?
“About Your…
…Diet”
…Business”
…Spouse…”
You see how this would make someone want to read on?
15. Hot News
“The Outcome of Trump’s Impeachment”
“Presidential 2020 Candidates”
Any kind of events that have recently taken place are another good example of subject lines that get opened.
People are naturally curious about what’s happening around the world. They may not be impacted by it directly, but they still want to keep themselves in the loop.
Just like people like to keep themselves up to date with the latest celebrity gossip, people want to know what’s going on in the world. Take advantage of the latest news and events to make your readers click.
16. Valuable Advice
“Top Superfoods You Should Eat”
“Why You Shouldn’t Bathe Naked”
What kind of person gives advice? Someone who is an expert on that topic, who has in-depth knowledge on what to do.
As humans, we listen to those with authority. We perceive them as someone who knows more than we do, and give them our attention even though it may not be true. Subject lines that give the reader advice influence them to think of the email content as important.
Giving advice is also another way of catering to the reader’s desire of what’s in it for them. You are giving them free, valuable advice they can implement in their lives. And everyone loves free stuff.
17. Get Niche
“Best Sales Techniques For Life Coaches”
“Top 10 Asian Entrepreneurs Of 2025”
When you state a niche, you are catering to a very specific audience. And if your audience falls into that niche, you make your reader feel special, as if the email was written for them. Making your reader feel special implies there is exclusivity – something that only a handful of people will have access to. We value things that are exclusive, and by making your reader feel exclusive, they will feel valued.
For example, if you are a coach in the fitness niche, which subject line would you respond more strongly to?
“Biggest Mistakes Fitness Coaches Make”
“Biggest Mistakes Coaches Make”
The more specific you are with your audience, the more likely you will get their attention. Know your audience, and you know exactly what will succeed.
18. Familiarity
“Long time no see”
“It’s been a while”
Have you ever received an email from someone you didn’t know? What was your first reaction?
An email inbox is a very personal thing, something that people don’t like anyone getting into. That’s why we hate spam mail and advertisements, because they are a nuisance and people we wouldn’t give our email address to in the first place.
If you want to get the attention of your reader, make the subject line feel personal. Use their name in the subject line, or write the subject in a way that implies you know each other. Familiarity will make people lower their guard, which means clicking on your email instead of hitting delete.
19. Emojis
“Hello :)”
“$$ The Best Way To Make A 6-Figure Income From Home $$”
Another example of email subject lines that get opened are ones that contain emojis.
Emojis are so effective, because they help to clarify the message that is being said. For example, compare these two subject lines:
“Only For You :)”
“Only For You”
In this example, the subject line without an emoji gives the reader no context. By putting a simple emoji such as a heart or smiley face, you are conveying a certain emotion to the reader. When your readers know the emotion behind a message, they are much more likely to resonate with it.
Most emails don’t use emojis in the subject line. By inserting some emojis from time to time, you’ll immediately stand out from everyone else.
20. The Biggest Mistake [Blank] Make
The idea behind this subject line is to focus on the negative to help people avoid unwanted outcomes. So what is the trick? Well, people do not like making mistakes and facing consequences.
What makes this subject line so powerful is that it doesn’t talk about just any mistake. This subject line is about the biggest mistake. This is the type of mistake that everyone tries to avoid at any cost.
“The Biggest Mistake…
…Husbands Make”
….Car Buyers Make”
…Writers Make”
How The Right Email Subject Lines Can Make You a 6-Figure Income
Now, if you wish to write perfect emails with the right subject lines – you could have access to all these subject lines plus two hundred thirteen subject line templates.
You could simply fill in the blanks and immediately use in your email and all your marketing.
You can find all these templates on Instant Scripts. This is the ultimate shortcut software that automates the process of writing great copy for you. Click here, and check it out now.