Email subject lines [that get opened]

by Raydal
13 replies
I was taking a casual look over my email stats for my
autoresponder and realize that email subject lines that
include [BRACKETS] have a higher open rate. Of
course to make sure that it is the brackets that are
causing this I will have to send the SAME subject
line with and without brackets as a test. I have not
done this but just thought that I would see if others
realize a similar pattern.

Please share.

-Ray Edwards
#email #lines #opened #subjec #subject
  • Profile picture of the author nizamkhan
    Sounds interesting! Do share your result after you have tested it.

    - Nizam
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    • Profile picture of the author kyraline
      In my experience as a subscriber i certainly do look at whatever is between the brackets, BUT I think it is far more important to offer value to your subscribers and get them to trust you. I am on a lot of lists but I tend to scan my inbox for names and if the email comes from someone I like and trust I open it because I know I can expect value.

      I've even seen people using brackets and saying [Please read]..
      That is so lame, I won't even bother to open those.

      On the other hand if you train your subscribers to expect value from you and take the time & effort to brand yourself you will get a much higher open rate.

      Fondly,
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      Johanna
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      • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
        I haven't checked my own stats for this pattern, but it does make sense.

        My guess, though, is that the magic is in the combination of the brackets and what is within them. For example, I often use brackets and the title of my newsletters as part of every subject line so that people learn to watch for those emails and identify them quickly.
        [MyNewsletter] Actual subject line goes here
        As another poster said, using lame begging like [Important] or [Please Read] are red flags for me, since I see them so often in phishing attempts.
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  • Profile picture of the author blillard
    Take a look at the emails you already have and see which ones stand out to you. I have been trying a few things out myself for instance on the sender name I would use ***Bryan Lillard*** and in the subject line I would add brackets. But also have you tried NOT using your name instead the product name they requested? So the from name would ***Nameofproduct*** then your subject line. This all falls in trust because they already gave your their email address for this product and now they already know who this is when they get an email from you because they'll more than likely remember the report if its any good. I know this works for me because any product I purchase or download I remember the name of the product BEFORE the vendor lol. Just my two cents
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  • Profile picture of the author jasonthewebmaster
    Banned
    I like to browse junk mail in my spare time for this very reason... to get swipes i can steal for my own subject lines etc!! hehe

    this one from Igor recently made me click to open and read it:

    Dingggggggggg Donggggggggggg



    lol so yeah just checkout your inbox and see what really makes you want to read it
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Shook
    Originally Posted by Raydal View Post

    I was taking a casual look over my email stats for my
    autoresponder and realize that email subject lines that
    include [BRACKETS] have a higher open rate. Of
    course to make sure that it is the brackets that are
    causing this I will have to send the SAME subject
    line with and without brackets as a test. I have not
    done this but just thought that I would see if others
    realize a similar pattern.

    Please share.

    -Ray Edwards
    Seems to have worked well in your thread title [Really Well]
    Signature


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  • Profile picture of the author jbonline
    Hey Raydal ... great question -
    Open rates ... cant click on the link if they dont open the email huh ..
    importance of subject line cannot be overlooked!
    Brackets have been tested and absolutely do increase open rates
    I agree with a lot of what is written here but to concentrate solely on
    subject lines to increase open rates ... I also encourage you to change the FROM
    names .. as example instead of Raydal maybe RaydalVIP etc.
    I am also using signs and symbols as again this has been tested and proven. NOT all the time but to mix it up.
    #'s, ? marks, scarcity (limited spots), personal pronouns ...
    Great resource - search Youtube: 13 Sneaky Email Tricks by Ryan Deiss & Richard Lindner

    Jeff
    Signature
    Monetize Your List Immediately
    "List Building 101"
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    • Profile picture of the author discrat
      Ray,
      Thanks for the good Subject line to use

      Also, I have not personally tested it but some people say they have higher Open Rates with "Quotes" as well.



      - Robert Andrew
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      • Profile picture of the author Alex Leizerovich
        Yes totally.
        Ive been doing this for sometime now and now you exposed it lol.
        I do get much higher open rate when using brackets.
        I actually found this out by mistake.
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  • Profile picture of the author Life Naturally
    I use brackets on my email subject line, but a little differently then what has been shown. My open rates are fairly good. I have noticed though a lot of the "big time" email marketers don't use brackets, such as Anik Signal ect.. Instead they use subject lines that make it sound like they are writing your a personal email.
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  • Anything that's unconventional, controversial and bizarre, work well.

    They must, of course, be made relevant in the body of the email.

    Some of my favourites are...
    Alton attorney accidentally sues himself
    Computer virus spreads to humans
    Man's head explodes in barber chair
    CIA breeds KILLER kittens
    Gals who go topless live longer
    Man's 173 mph sneeze blows wife's hair off
    Oompa Lumpa showed me his Willy Wonka

    You can take any batshit crazy headline and create a profit pulling email with it. You MUST make it relevant though. That's the trick. You have to be careful not to overdo it, either.

    I email my list every day, so it's important I create emails that are NOT BORING.

    To be fair, there are endless things to write about when it comes to email. Most often I have too much content, not enough time.
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    • Profile picture of the author art72
      Originally Posted by Declan O Flaherty View Post

      Anything that's unconventional, controversial and bizarre, work well.

      They must, of course, be made relevant in the body of the email.

      Some of my favourites are...
      Attorney accidentally sues himself
      Computer virus spreads to humans
      Mans head explodes in barber chair
      CIA breeds KILLER kittens
      Gals who go topless live longer

      Far fetched?

      Not a bloody chance. You can take any batshit crazy headline and create a profit pulling email with it. You MUST make it relevant though. That's the trick. You also have to be careful not to overdo it.

      I email my list every day, so it's important I create emails that are NOT BORING.

      To be fair, there are endless things to write about when it comes to email. Most often I have too much content, not enough time.
      First off, I would open most of those subject lines, lol...

      Similar 'headlines' worked out well for Gary Halbert with his direct mail letters, seems a similar response/open rate could be achieved through email.

      As far as the bracketed subject matter increasing open rates? - I'm inclined to think it's the compelling message between the brackets that truly matters.
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      • Profile picture of the author 1nvision
        This is all awesome to me as I am very new and fresh. Would love to keep hearing results on this. I have just been writing titles that I personally would click, but if the numbers show brackets pull higher then I will give that a run as well.
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