An email title is one of the most crucial parts of your email marketing strategy. It’s the first thing people see in their inbox, and it often determines whether they’ll open your email or ignore it. A strong, effective title can help you capture attention, drive engagement, and boost your open rates. In this blog, we’ll go over 10 powerful tips for crafting titles that not only grab attention but also help you avoid common mistakes that can undermine your success.
1. Use Numbers to Capture Attention
Numbers are eye-catching and create a sense of specificity. When you include a number in your email title, you give readers a clear idea of what they can expect. For example, titles like “5 Tips to Boost Your Sales” or “10 Reasons Why Your Emails Go Unread” set clear expectations for the content inside. Numbers make your email title feel more concrete and actionable, encouraging readers to take a closer look.
Example Titles:
- “7 Secrets to Writing Compelling Email Titles”
- “Top 10 Mistakes in Email Titles (and How to Avoid Them)”
2. Create a Sense of Urgency
A sense of urgency in a title for your email can prompt readers to open it right away instead of putting it off. By using time-sensitive language like “Limited Time Offer” or “Only 24 Hours Left,” you can make your emails feel more urgent and encourage immediate action. However, be careful not to overdo it. Using urgency too often can make readers numb to it, so reserve it for truly time-sensitive messages.
Example Titles:
- “Last Chance: 24 Hours Left for 50% Off!”
- “Ending Soon: Don’t Miss Out on This Exclusive Offer”
3. Personalize Your Title
Personalization can make your email feel more relevant to your reader, which often leads to higher open rates. Using the recipient’s name, location, or other personal details in the email title can make your message stand out in a crowded inbox. Many email marketing tools allow you to automatically insert personalization tokens, which makes it easy to use this strategy.
Example Titles:
- “John, Here’s a Special Offer Just for You!”
- “Exclusive Deals in New York – Just for You!”
4. Keep It Short and Clear
The best titles are short, straightforward, and easy to understand. Long, complicated titles can get cut off, especially on mobile devices, which means readers might miss key details. Aim for around 5-7 words in your email title, focusing on clarity and simplicity to ensure it’s easy to read and digest quickly.
Example Titles:
- “Unlock Your Free Guide Today”
- “New Arrivals You Don’t Want to Miss”
5. Use Powerful Words to Make an Impact
Words have a huge impact on our perception. Certain words are known to trigger curiosity, excitement, or urgency in readers. Use power words like “Proven,” “Secret,” “Ultimate,” or “Exclusive” to make your email title stand out. Power words are particularly effective when you want to convey a strong benefit or exclusive opportunity.
Example Titles:
- “The Ultimate Guide to Email Marketing”
- “Exclusive Access: Top Email Title Tips”
6. Ask a Question
Questions pique curiosity and encourage engagement. When you pose a question in your email title, you invite readers to think and interact with the content. For example, a title like “Are You Making These Title Mistakes?” naturally makes the reader want to open the email to find out more. Just ensure the question is relevant and intriguing enough to make readers curious.
Example Titles:
- “Want to Boost Your Open Rates?”
- “Are Your Email Titles Hurting Engagement?”
7. Add a Call to Action (CTA) in the Title
Including a call to action (CTA) directly in the email title can encourage readers to take specific actions right from the inbox. Phrases like “Discover How” or “Learn Why” give readers a sense of what they’ll accomplish by reading the email. CTAs can make your email title more direct and action-oriented, which can boost open rates.
Example Titles:
- “Find Out How to Write Irresistible Email Titles”
- “Start Improving Your Open Rates Today!”
8. Use Humor and Wit (If It Fits Your Brand)
A clever or funny email title can make your message memorable and give it a human touch. Humor can lighten up your content and set your brand apart in a fun, relatable way. But be cautious with humor—it may not resonate with all audiences and could come across as unprofessional in some contexts. Make sure the humor aligns with your brand’s voice.
Example Titles:
- “Oops, Did You Forget Something?”
- “We Couldn’t Resist Sharing This Secret…”
9. Incorporate Keywords Naturally
Using relevant keywords in your email title can make it feel more targeted and can even boost the visibility of your message in some email clients. “Email title” is a keyword you can incorporate naturally if it aligns with your topic. Make sure your keyword placement sounds natural and doesn’t come across as forced or spammy.
Example Titles:
- “Top Email Title Tricks to Boost Open Rates”
- “How Your Email Title Affects Engagement”
10. A/B Test Titles for Your Emails
Testing your titles can provide valuable insights into what resonates with your audience. A/B testing allows you to send two different titles to a small portion of your audience to see which performs better. Use this data to fine-tune your email title strategy over time, adjusting your language, format, or length based on what generates the highest open rates.
Example Titles for Testing:
- Version A: “10 Proven Email Title Tips for Marketers”
- Version B: “Boost Your Open Rates with These Email Title Secrets”
Conclusion
Crafting an effective title for your email is key to boosting your email marketing success. By using these 10 powerful tips, you’ll be able to create email titles that not only capture attention but also encourage engagement and action. Whether you’re using numbers, adding personalization, or including powerful words, each of these strategies will help your email title stand out in a crowded inbox.
Experiment with these techniques and keep track of what works best for your audience. Remember, the key to a successful email title is balancing creativity, relevance, and clarity. Try out these tips, avoid common mistakes, and watch your open rates improve!
