14 Best Subject Lines for Cold Emails: Secrets to Sky-High Open Rates!
Finding the best subject lines for cold emails can make all the difference in boosting your open rates and engagement. And as a pro, you know that crafting compelling email subject lines is crucial. So let’s start writing subject lines that’ll grab attention and drive response, shall we?
In this blog post, we will delve into personalization techniques that are highly effective at increasing open rates. We’ll also explore how asking questions within your subject lines can encourage curiosity among recipients.
Furthermore, we will discuss leveraging FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) by incorporating urgent language in your cold email subject lines. Additionally, we’ll share insights on re-engaging prospects through strategic follow-up emails with unique calling-style subjects and researching interests before sending out those crucial messages.

Last but not least, you’ll learn about valuable tools and strategies for optimizing sales emails such as using Yesware for tracking performance and implementing reminder messages after initial contact. By the end of this post, you’ll have a wealth of knowledge on creating the best subject lines for cold emails to maximize success in reaching your target audience.
Table Of Contents:
- Crafting Compelling Cold Email Subject Lines
- Personalization Techniques for Boosting Open Rates
- Utilizing Questions in Your Subject Lines
- Tapping into FOMO with Urgent Language
- Adding Humor and Relatability
- Power Words: The Key to Writing Killer Subject Lines
- Leveraging Social Proof in Subject Lines
- Knowing Your Prospect: The Foundation of Crafting a Killer Cold Email Subject Line
- Re-engaging Prospects Through Follow-up Emails
- Leveraging Tools & Strategies for Effective Sales Emails
- FAQs in Relation to Best Subject Lines for Cold Emails
- Conclusion
Crafting Compelling Cold Email Subject Lines
Mastering the art of engaging subject lines is crucial for successful cold email campaigns. Incorporate curiosity, humor, questions, and personalized details while addressing pain points with urgency and empathy. Keep subject lines concise (<60 chars) for a higher chance of securing meetings and converting leads.

Personalization Techniques for Boosting Open Rates
Nowadays, individualization is paramount for catching the eye. Start by addressing your prospect by their first name in the subject line – a simple yet effective technique. Next up, dive deeper into their interests or company news using LinkedIn, social media channels or recent press releases as research sources. This way you can tailor your email content specifically for them which increases engagement rates exponentially.
- Example:”Hey [First Name], saw XYZ Company’s latest success – congrats.”
- Example: “[First Name], did you know these weight loss tips also help clear skin?”
Utilizing Questions in Your Subject Lines
A well-crafted question has the power to pique curiosity and prompt recipients to open your email seeking answers. Make sure the question addresses a potential pain point they might be facing related to healthy living or weight loss so they feel compelled enough not only to read but respond too.

- Example: “[First Name], struggling with stubborn belly fat? We have solutions.”
- Example: “Want clearer skin without spending a fortune on skincare, [First Name]?”
Tapping into FOMO with Urgent Language
Everyone hates missing out on something good, right? That’s where the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) comes in handy. Use urgent language to create a sense of urgency and scarcity around your offer or the information you’re sharing. This will make recipients more likely to open and read your email before it gets buried under an avalanche of other messages.
- Example: “[First Name], last chance: exclusive weight loss webinar starts tomorrow.”
- Example: “Unlock clear skin secrets – limited spots available, [First Name].”
Incorporating these techniques into your cold email subject lines will not only increase open rates but also help build rapport with potential clients who appreciate personalized attention. So go ahead, get creative, and watch those conversions soar.

Adding Humor and Relatability
Humor can be an excellent tool for grabbing attention quickly – creating funny yet relatable subject lines may encourage recipients not only to open but also engage more positively with your message content. However, it’s crucial to strike the right balance between humor and professionalism without offending the prospect.

Finding the Right Balance Between Humor and Professionalism
To find that sweet spot of being both humorous and professional in your cold email subject lines, consider these tips:
Avoid offensive or inappropriate jokes – keep it light-hearted and suitable for a diverse audience. Think #dadjokes.
Use wordplay or puns related to your industry or their business goals; this shows you’ve done your research while adding a touch of wit.
Test out different types of humor on smaller segments before sending them out widely; this way, you’ll have a better understanding of what works best for your target audience.
Engaging Recipients Positively with Funny Subject Lines
Incorporating humor into your email subject lines can help break through inbox clutter by standing out from other sales emails. Here are some funny yet effective cold email subject line examples:
- Example: “Feeling weight down? Let us lighten up [prospect’s company].”
- Example: “No need to play hide-and-seek with clear skin anymore.”
By adding humor and relatability to your subject lines, you can create an emotional connection with the recipient that will increase engagement.
Leveraging social proof in subject lines is a great way to further demonstrate value by showcasing successful customers or case studies.
Key Takeaway:
Remember, humor is subjective and what may be funny to one person might not be to another. Always keep your target audience in mind when crafting humorous subject lines, and don’t hesitate to A/B test different approaches to find the perfect balance between humor and professionalism.
Power Words: The Key to Writing Awesome Subject Lines
If you’re in the business of cold emailing, then you know that crafting an email subject line is crucial. It’s what determines whether your email gets opened or sent straight to the trash folder. But how do you make sure your subject lines stand out? Enter power words.

What are Power Words?
Power words are strong, descriptive words that evoke emotion and create urgency. They can be used to grab someone’s attention and compel them to take action – like opening your email!
Incorporating power words into your subject lines can help increase open rates and ultimately lead to more conversions.
Tips for Using Power Words Effectively in Your Subject Line:
- Avoid Overusing Them: While power words can be effective when used sparingly, overusing them may come across as spammy.
- Create Urgency: Use phrases such as “limited time offer” or “act now” to create a sense of urgency and encourage recipients to act quickly.
- Add Personalization: Incorporate personalization by using the recipient’s name or referencing something specific about their business.
- Mention Benefits: Highlighting benefits such as saving time/money or increasing productivity will pique interest and encourage opens.
- Keep it Short and Sweet: Aim for subject lines that are concise and to the point. Long subject lines may get cut off or be too overwhelming.
Leveraging Social Proof in Subject Lines
Use social proof like well-known customers or real-life examples when appropriate; doing so adds credibility while piquing curiosity at the same time.

Providing value should always be at the forefront when writing cold email subjects – opening with a clear reason for reaching out helps focus on what benefits you’re offering while empathizing with potential client’s needs.
Showcasing Well-Known Customers or Successful Case Studies
One effective way to leverage social proof is by mentioning your company’s association with recognizable names in your industry.
For example, if you’ve worked with big brands or have an impressive client list, don’t hesitate to drop their names in your subject line:
- Example: “How we helped [prospect’s company] lose weight and get clear skin.”
- Example: “[Your company] : Trusted by [Famous Client] for healthy living solutions.”
This strategy not only demonstrates that you’re a reliable partner but also encourages recipients to learn more about how they can achieve similar results.
Additionally, consider linking to relevant case studies within the body of your email as further evidence of success.
Emphasizing the Value Proposition in Your Subject Line
A strong value proposition should address specific pain points experienced by your target audience and highlight how your product or service can help solve them.
By incorporating this information into your subject lines, you’ll immediately convey why it’s worth their time to open and read through:
- Example: “Lose weight & get clear skin: Try our proven method today.”
- Example: “Unlock radiant skin & shed pounds effortlessly – learn how.”
Knowing Your Prospect: The Foundation of Crafting a Cold Email Subject Line
As a sales professional or business development representative, you know that cold emailing is an essential part of your job. But how do you make sure your emails stand out in the sea of messages flooding your prospect’s inbox?

The Importance of Personalization
The key to crafting a killer cold email subject line is personalization. You need to show your prospect that you understand their needs and interests.
- Start by researching their company and industry so you can speak knowledgeably about their challenges and pain points.
- Mention something specific from their website or social media profiles that caught your attention.
- If possible, reference any mutual connections or shared experiences to establish a rapport right off the bat.
A personalized email subject line shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in helping them solve problems – not just pushing a product or service on them.
Brevity Is Key
Your subject line should be short enough to read at a glance but long enough to convey value. Aim for no more than six words if possible – studies have shown that shorter subject lines tend to perform better overall.
Avoid Spam Triggers
You don’t want your carefully crafted email to end up in the spam folder, so avoid using all caps or excessive punctuation. Avoid trigger words like “free” or “guaranteed,” which can set off spam filters.

Remember, crafting a killer cold email subject line takes time and effort – but it’s worth it if you want to stand out from the competition and get noticed by your prospects.
For more tips on writing effective sales emails, check out HubSpot’s Email Templates.
Re-engaging Prospects Through Follow-up Emails
If you’ve ever felt like a ghostbuster chasing after elusive prospects, you’re not alone. Re-engaging with those who have gone quiet or haven’t completed an action such as scheduling a meeting can be tricky. But fear not. We’ve got some spook-tacular tips for crafting follow-up emails that will bring your prospects back from the dead.

Calling-style Subjects for Re-engagement
When it comes to reeling in those silent prospects, think of yourself as their favorite talk show host inviting them back on stage for another appearance. Calling-style subjects are designed specifically for this purpose and help create a sense of familiarity and urgency. For the best subject lines for cold emails, check out the following examples:
- “[Prospect’s Name], did we leave you hanging?“
- “Let’s pick up where we left off, [Prospect’s Name]“
- “Just checking in: Are you still interested in losing weight & getting clear skin?“
HubSpot offers even more examples of effective calling-style subject lines, so don’t hesitate to explore further if you need inspiration.
Researching Prospect’s Interests Before Sending Follow-ups
No one likes receiving generic messages that feel like they were mass-produced by robots (unless it’s Wall-E). To avoid coming across as robotic, take the time to research your prospect before sending follow-ups.
- Social Media Stalking (in a non-creepy way): Browse through their LinkedIn profiles, company pages, and Twitter feeds – anything that gives you a glimpse into their interests and preferences. Did they recently share an article about healthy living? Reference it in your email.
- Industry News: Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and news in the health, wellness, and beauty sectors. Mentioning relevant industry updates can demonstrate that you’re knowledgeable and genuinely interested in helping them achieve their goals.
- Personalization: Incorporate any information gleaned from your research to craft a tailored message that speaks directly to each prospect’s unique needs. Remember, personalization is key when it comes to re-engaging prospects.
By using effective follow-up emails, you can re-engage prospects and build strong relationships. Leveraging tools and strategies for sales emails is the next step in ensuring your message reaches its intended audience with maximum impact.
Key Takeaway:
Use calling-style subjects that create familiarity and urgency, research the prospect’s interests before sending follow-ups, and incorporate personalized information to speak directly to their unique needs.
Scheduling Meetings within the Subject Line Itself
One clever way to grab a prospect’s attention is by scheduling a meeting directly in the subject line of your follow-up email. For example, “Quick call tomorrow at 10 am?”
This approach shows that you’re proactive and serious about connecting with them while also creating a sense of urgency.
Incorporating Interactive Content Like Videos to Boost Engagement
Showcase Your Product: Create short explainer videos showcasing how your product or service solves specific pain points for potential clients. Include this video in your follow-up email as an engaging visual aid.
Tell Success Stories: Share customer testimonials through video interviews or case studies highlighting real-life examples of success using your product/service. This helps build trust with prospects while demonstrating the value you bring to their business.
Educate Prospects: Develop informative webinars or tutorials related to industry trends, challenges faced by businesses in their niche, or best practices they should be aware of – all aimed at providing valuable insights that will benefit them professionally.
To maximize effectiveness when incorporating videos in your follow-up emails, make sure to use an eye-catching thumbnail image and a compelling video email subject line that encourages recipients to click through and watch the content.
Leveraging Tools & Strategies for Effective Sales Emails
Maximizing the effectiveness of your sales emails in the B2B space is crucial for securing meetings and converting leads. In this section, we’ll explore some essential strategies and tools that can help you craft compelling cold email campaigns.
Sending Reminder Messages After Initial Contact
Don’t let your prospects forget about you. Sending a friendly reminder message a day or two after your initial contact can keep you top-of-mind while demonstrating persistence and professionalism. Make sure to tailor these follow-up messages based on any interactions or responses from the recipient, as well as their interests gleaned from research conducted beforehand.
- Example: “Hey [Prospect’s Name], just wanted to check if you had a chance to review my previous email about our Healthy Living program? I believe it could be an excellent fit for helping women in their 30s achieve weight loss goals.”

Tracking Email Performance Using Tools Like Yesware
To ensure your cold emailing efforts are paying off, it’s important to track key metrics such as open rates, click-through rates (CTR), and response rates. One popular tool for tracking sent emails is Yesware. This platform allows you not only to monitor email performance but also provides insights into how recipients engage with your content – giving valuable information on what works best when crafting future campaigns.
Analyzing Data and Adjusting Your Strategy Accordingly
No matter how well-crafted your cold email subject lines are, there’s always room for improvement. By analyzing the data collected from tools like Yesware, you can identify trends and patterns that indicate which strategies work best for your target audience. This information is invaluable when it comes to refining your approach and ensuring future success.
- Example: If personalized subject lines yield higher open rates than generic ones, make sure to incorporate more personalization in upcoming campaigns.

Key Takeaway:
Sending reminder messages, tracking email performance using tools like Yesware, analyzing data and adjusting your strategy accordingly are essential strategies to create effective sales emails that resonate with prospects while increasing the likelihood of success. Remember – persistence pays off.
By leveraging these tools and strategies, you’ll be better equipped to create effective sales emails that resonate with prospects while increasing the likelihood of securing meetings and converting leads into customers. Remember – persistence pays off. Keep testing different approaches until you find what works best.
Conclusion
In conclusion, crafting compelling subject lines is crucial for the success of cold emails. Personalization techniques, utilizing questions, and tapping into FOMO are effective ways to boost open rates. Re-engaging prospects through follow-up emails requires calling-style subjects and researching their interests before sending follow-ups. Leveraging tools like Yesware and sending reminder messages after initial contact can help with tracking email performance.
Crafting great subject lines for cold emails is crucial to succeeding in b2b sales. You gotta personalize your message to catch your reader’s attention and come up with engaging content. Unanswered messages? Follow up and refine your strategy over time to get more responses.
Check out my blog for other articles on sales skills, social media, and marketing!
FAQs in Relation to Best Subject Lines for Cold Emails
What is a Good Subject Line for a Cold Email?
A good subject line for a cold email should be personalized, concise, and relevant to the recipient’s interests. Incorporate their name or company, ask an engaging question, or use urgent language to create curiosity. For example: “Jane, lose weight & get clear skin with our 30-day plan.”
What is the Most Appropriate Email Subject Line?
The most appropriate email subject line depends on your target audience and message content. It should clearly convey the purpose of your email while being attention-grabbing and tailored to recipients’ needs. In this case: “Unlock Radiant Skin & Shed Pounds in Just One Month.“
What are the Best Subject Lines for Cold Emails for an Internship?
For internship-related cold emails, focus on showcasing enthusiasm and value you can bring to the company. Use phrases like “Eager Marketing Intern Seeking Opportunity at [Company]” or “[Your Name]: A Driven Candidate Ready to Contribute at [Company]“. Make sure it reflects your field of interest.
What subject lines get the most opens?
Subject lines that get high open rates often tap into FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), leverage social proof, use humor, ask questions, or offer exclusive deals. Personalizing your subjects by including recipients’ names also helps boost engagement.