I'll Pick My Winner In 3 Days... It Might Be You!

by 69 replies
84
I spend time worrying about things that probably don't matter; I don't think this is one of them.

I've got a couple of email accounts I use just to subscribe to competitor's lists. I like to know what they are promoting, what kind of content they provide (not much), and how they craft their emails.

So I grabbed one-hundred emails from some of the gurus and semi-gurus this morning. I rarely read the things because I get tired of reading fluffy emails such as:

!


I think you get the drift. Fluff, affiliate link, fluff, ad infinitum.

Anyway, I grabbed the subject lines from 100 recent emails from very well known names in the IM niche. I'm thinking maybe we could all profit by making a little game of this. Play with this for a few days if you wish and then I'll announce my winner--the one I would most likely open from the list.

Let's suppose you had a passion for the IM niche and these subject lines appeared in your mail box. If you only had time to open and read any one of these emails, and all other things being equal--which would you most likely open and why?

NOTE: I am giving you only the subject lines, not the names of senders. I know you may have certain people whose emails you always open--but you will have to base your answer here on only the subject lines.

And finally, what kind of subject line would be most likely to evoke a response from you--would make you open it? I'm curious--maybe we could all learn and create better subject lines to increase our open rates on our emails.

Here are the actual subject lines I got:
1. Mike, Don't Miss Out!

2. [FREE] Proven roadmap to internet success

3. (New Video) Free tool reveals YEARS of split-testing data

4. This is EXPENSIVE! (Don't open if you can't a...

5. Hmmm....A * BIG* Warning

6. Customer Retention (behind the scenes)

7. Done for you (affiliate sales)...

8. F.ree Link Getting Plug-in [DOWNLOAD]

9. Mike Notification of Payment Received

10. How To Make REAL Money Fast ... (Free Trainin...

11. Your password...

12. [VIDEO] Mad Rush Mike...

13. One Affiliate Campaign Made Him $22,625

14. [READ NOW] 50 subscribers only - $5,000 bonus...

15. Okay - enough...just STOP IT!

16. URGENT: A sharp warning Mike...

17. Let The Devastation Begin, Video Assassin Is ...

18. Front Page Of Google In HOURS... Watch It Don...

19. Making money online has become a WHOLE lot ea...

20. 1,000 Backlinks A Month

21. Mike - Last-Minute IMeye Killer Bonus Feature...

22. [VIDEO] The secrets to $15k a month ... Part ...

23. Download this very SPECIAL FREE Gift! (Interv...

24. [25,392 Subscribers in 5 days] Free List Buil...

25. Mike - Still Desperately Seeking Super-Profit...

26. done for you (affiliate sales)...

27. Free Video Reveals $500+ A Day Adwords Campai...

28. Affiliate Game Plan Is Live, Mike...

29. The most lucrative niche online

30. Brand New FREE Autoresponder Service (...Get ...

31. SHOCKING free video (taken offline tomorrow)

32. I failed (miserably)...

33. One Affiliate Campaign Made Him $22,625

34. A few free resources for you to make more mon...

35. Mike, I need your opinion on a new marketing ...

36. [READ NOW] 50 subscribers only - $5,000 bonus...

37. Step Up And Be A God

38. They Kept Us in the Dark Using a "Veil of Sec...

39. live ninja money webbinar today (get on this)

40. 7 Buck special - weekend only...

41. Could you use a social media marketing plan, ...

42. Mike, why don't you have a membership site?

43. Mike, Just 14 Hours Left For This... READ NOW...

44. [YOUR MEMBERSHIP EMPIRE] Video 1: Creating Mo...

45. Manage Your Time And Get More Done

46. I know you need FAST RESULTS...

47. mike, SOLD OUT - it's about to close ...

48. following trails of BLOOD...

49. They Lied About Your Membership Site

50. Mike, personal message (OPEN NOW)

51. what I'm doing next week...

52. How to Get on Page ONE of Google (open now)

53. URGENT: A sharp warning Mike...

54. Let The Devastation Begin, Video Assassin Is ...

55. I'll create a product for you...

56. Front Page Of Google In HOURS... Watch It Don...

57. Mike, Here's Your Exclusive Link.

58. If You're An Affiliate, You Need To Read This...

59. DUDE!

60. Ultra URGENT

61. Making money online has become a WHOLE lot ea...

62. Watch Our "List Profit Method" Webinar...

63. Do NOT Read This If You're One of the "Elite ...

64. A thank you gift for you.

65. uh oh, this is bad

66. Closing down?

67. Richard's *SHOCKING* Google Traffic Discovery...

68. My highest recommendation.

69. download my 58 page niche PDF

70. Mike - Last-Minute IMeye Killer Bonus Feature...

71. [VIDEO] The secrets to $15k a month ... Part ...

72. Download this very SPECIAL FREE Gift! (Interv...

73. Mike, $61,681 In ClickBank Commissions In Jus...

74. Mike, Stop spinning...

75. Re: my email the other day...

76. ...EXACTLY how to make your first $1K online ...

77. I know you want more traffic. Read this...

78. Mike, Just 14 Hours Left For This... READ NOW...

79. INVITE ONLY (New Video On My Blog)

80. ...$4800 + $3600 from *FREE* Google traffic?

81. How to Receive lots of 'Notification of Sale'...

82. Webinar replay: Software that pinpoints profi...

83. Better than your old job?

84. URGENT video...

85. Create your first product in 7 hours or less ...

86. Mike, why don't you have a membership site?

87. watch this short video

88. Super Important: Watch Right Away...

89. [25,392 Subscribers in 5 days] Free List Buil...

90. Are You Tired of Paying for Graphics You Coul...

91. URGENT message from xxxxxx xxxxxxx

92. watch this... [Time Sensitive]

93. ***(Video) You can't be successful online***

94. NEW SYSTEM: 0 - 89K/month (Video proof)

95. Mike, IMeye is LIVE!!! [WATCH THIS IMMEDIATEL...

96. "Bruce Lee Secrets" To Making Big Money (BLOG...

97. Mike, The SECRET I Used To Make $61,423 In Af...

98. I'll create a product for you...

99. Webinar reminder: Finding profitable niches a...

100. want to "borrow" my webmaster?
Share your feedback. Which one would you open? What kind of subject line could you craft to make me want to open your email? Have fun, but be serious.
--Mike
#main internet marketing discussion forum #days #pick #winner
  • Mike, I'm glad you asked which one I would open and why rather than which ones I would not open and why. I didn't actually keep count, but I'd delete about 90% of them without reading them.

    The one I would open for sure is number 9: Mike Notification of Payment Received

    Why? Because I either received a payment or it was a trick to get me to open the email. If I received a payment I want to know about it, if it was a trick (and it likely was) I want to unsubscribe. I have no use for anyone who tries to deceive me. If you do it in little things you'll do it in big things. Nothing will make me unsubscribe faster.

    For a subject line I would open, you know, it depends on who it comes from. For example, if I received an email with this subject line: Dennis, you'll love this...

    If it came from someone that often sends good content, I'd open it right away. If it came from someone that sends nothing but pitches, I'd delete it right away.

    A subject line I recently used was: Dennis, THANK YOU!

    It brought in close to 3k in sales for a $10 product, so I'd say that worked fairly well.


    • [ 2 ] Thanks
  • I just deleted another couple hundred emails, unread, from my main email addy. I barely bother reading the subject line. The ones I KEEP, or at least open, are from people I know and care about. Years ago I'd give others a chance, but I have plenty to read from the handful of marketers that I really like.

    Nothing on your list would tempt me to open it.
    • [1] reply
    • Mike, a couple of thoughts...

      First, you're on way too many lists.

      But more seriously, I couldn't tell you which of those subject lines would get me to open an email. It really does all depend on who the sender is.

      Your list highlights, perhaps, a particular problem in the IM field, where there are so many marketers competing for commissions on the same products. Everyone feels they have to up the ante and be increasingly creative/sensationalist with their subject lines.

      I remember Frank Kern mentioning last year how pleased he was with a particular heading that resulted in something like a 26% open rate. I was staggered with that admission. In the non IM niche lists I'm used to, an open rate of anything under 40-50% is a cause for concern.

      Even in the IM arena, I couldn't imagine someone on the lists of Paul Myers or Dennis Gaskill, for example, NOT opening an email. Why would any marketer be satisfied that only one in four of the people who opted in to receive his messages can then actually be bothered to open them?

      If you were speaking at a seminar and three quarters of the audience decided they'd rather spend that time in the bar, than listen to you in the auditorium, how would you feel?

      It has to be about your relationship with your list. Unless you take the "churn and burn" approach (as some successful marketers do), where subscribers are just statistics, your name should be enough.

      Anyway, I'll still be interested to see which line(s) got you to open.


      Frank
      • [ 5 ] Thanks
      • [3] replies
  • Frank,Thank you. I'm flattered, but not enough to start believing my own press.

    I can imagine it, and the reasons why.

    I don't send a lot of short newsletters. There are people out there who haven't the time to read 8 pages or more of content at any given moment, and don't get around to it until later. Which often never comes.

    A lot of my stuff is "meta-thinking," which takes more work to apply to specific processes than "Do this, and then this, and click here, and fill in that." There are a fair number of people who don't want to bother with that, or who don't think they have the experience to apply it.

    Style. Some folks don't like my approach to writing. That's going to be true of anyone, no matter how much we'd like to think otherwise.

    They're busy and focused on something that's more important when they get it. They may not even "see" it, since it's not what they're thinking about.

    Too many issues in a row for them that weren't a useful fit for their specific wants.

    Keep in mind that people in this industry tend to get a lot more email than most, on the average. They're exposed to so many different styles and so much marketing that they tend to develop a peculiar form of blindness toward subject lines.

    When folks in most niches open their email, they're doing it in leisure time. Curiosity and entertainment are part of their mindset. IMers tend to consider their inboxes as part of their workspace, so the mindset is very different.


    Paul
    • [1] reply
    • Paul,

      I wasn't trying to be flattering. Yes, there may be reasons why some folks don't get around to opening your newsletters, although most long-term readers must surely be comfortable enough with the style and "meta-thinking" required to at least get something worthwhile from each edition.

      But what I meant was that because of the relationship you (and a select few other marketers) have built with your subscribers, any email you send out is likely to get opened, regardless of the subject line.

      You've earned the right to be heard.



      Yes, that's a very good point. In my view, that IM mindset makes having a relationship with - and being trusted by - your subscribers even more important.


      Frank










    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Yes Dennis, like you said with the Notification Of Payment Received, either you just made a few bucks, or--you can delete the thing immediately if it was a scam. Either way, you're better off.



    Dennis, I got a THANK YOU from "CB" this week--maybe that's where your's came from. It's funny because he used that exact example in a post on JVNotify Pro some time ago of one that gets a pretty high open rate.
    -------------

    Pat said,
    Nothing on your list would tempt me to open it.

    I'm in that club too, Pat!
    -------------

    Frank D.
    Your list highlights, perhaps, a particular problem in the IM field, where there are so many marketers competing for commissions on the same products.

    Frank, you have no idea (we'll, I'm sure you do) of how many duplicate subject lines I deleted. Especially for new product launches it is amazing to me how many "gurus" with 100,000k lists simply use the swipe files provided by the product vendor for their promotions.

    With a list that big, and with a hot new product--a tiny improvement could make a huge change in the results. Ah, they've got the seven-figure incomes--I don't. It must be workin' for them.
    -------------

    Dennis G. said,

    I'm not sure I belong in the same category as Paul Myers, but I appreciate it.

    Don't sell yourself short Dennis! But yeah, Paul sets the bar pretty darned high with his TalkBiz News.
    -------------

    Martin said,

    I slipped into a catatonic trance around subject line number 53.

    Martin--I slipped into a catatonic trance in 1969. Been there ever since and kinda like it. Reality sucks, but my perception of it is wonderful! But yes, the "WHO" is the critical factor for me.
    -------------

    Paul M. said,



    Those were some of my top choices as well Paul. Like Frank said Paul, I open your N/L without reading the subject line anyway--I'm sure many others do as well!
    -------------

    Jay P. said,
    • [1] reply
    • The subject line I got from Frank Kern. It was the subject line of the first email template he used in the 4 Day Cash Machine. I didn't do the cash machine thing, but thought the subject line was a good one if you had a good reason to use it, and I did, and it was.

      As for selling myself short, that wasn't my intent, it was more of a salute to Paul, but thanks. He does set the bar high, which is why he is one of a very few that I'll usually drop what I'm doing to read his book...I mean email. Don't let that go to your head, Paul, or that Stetson won't fit anymore.
  • I'll create a product for you would be the only one that caught my attention
  • 77. at a pinch, if i really really had to open one of them.

    How about "Mike Your Competition Entry Confirmation"
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Banned
    Wow this is a large list here it goes:
    I realized I'd open anything to seem of value.

    Ok I guess that's kind of a useless comment unless I define it. I think the key is providing enough information without boring the user in the subject. You must make it something like a must click. For exampel those that are like "Mike, Don't Miss Out!" I wouldn't open but something that's like "Free tool reveals YEARS of split-testing data" That seems a value to me I'd open. Something where I believe I will benefit from without wasting time. So I guess some essential information is needed but you must make it sound attractive at the same time.

    Thanks for doing this survey. Hopefully we can all learn something from it. Definately bookmarking it, hoped I help but then I'm just one person's opinion.
    Best wishes,
    Benjamin
    1. Mike, Don't Miss Out!
    No
    2. [FREE] Proven roadmap to internet success
    Yes, essentially when I see anything free I open lol
    3. (New Video) Free tool reveals YEARS of split-testing data
    Yes
    4. This is EXPENSIVE! (Don't open if you can't a...
    No
    5. Hmmm....A * BIG* Warning
    No
    6. Customer Retention (behind the scenes)
    Yes
    7. Done for you (affiliate sales)...
    No
    8. F.ree Link Getting Plug-in [DOWNLOAD]
    Yes
    9. Mike Notification of Payment Received
    Yes
    10. How To Make REAL Money Fast ... (Free Trainin...
    Yes
    11. Your password...
    No
    12. [VIDEO] Mad Rush Mike...
    No
    13. One Affiliate Campaign Made Him $22,625
    Yes
    14. [READ NOW] 50 subscribers only - $5,000 bonus...

    15. Okay - enough...just STOP IT!

    16. URGENT: A sharp warning Mike...

    17. Let The Devastation Begin, Video Assassin Is ...

    18. Front Page Of Google In HOURS... Watch It Don...

    19. Making money online has become a WHOLE lot ea...

    20. 1,000 Backlinks A Month

    21. Mike - Last-Minute IMeye Killer Bonus Feature...

    22. [VIDEO] The secrets to $15k a month ... Part ...

    23. Download this very SPECIAL FREE Gift! (Interv...

    24. [25,392 Subscribers in 5 days] Free List Buil...

    25. Mike - Still Desperately Seeking Super-Profit...

    26. done for you (affiliate sales)...

    27. Free Video Reveals $500+ A Day Adwords Campai...

    28. Affiliate Game Plan Is Live, Mike...

    29. The most lucrative niche online

    30. Brand New FREE Autoresponder Service (...Get ...

    31. SHOCKING free video (taken offline tomorrow)

    32. I failed (miserably)...

    33. One Affiliate Campaign Made Him $22,625

    34. A few free resources for you to make more mon...

    35. Mike, I need your opinion on a new marketing ...

    36. [READ NOW] 50 subscribers only - $5,000 bonus...

    37. Step Up And Be A God

    38. They Kept Us in the Dark Using a "Veil of Sec...

    39. live ninja money webbinar today (get on this)

    40. 7 Buck special - weekend only...

    41. Could you use a social media marketing plan, ...

    42. Mike, why don't you have a membership site?

    43. Mike, Just 14 Hours Left For This... READ NOW...

    44. [YOUR MEMBERSHIP EMPIRE] Video 1: Creating Mo...

    45. Manage Your Time And Get More Done

    46. I know you need FAST RESULTS...

    47. mike, SOLD OUT - it's about to close ...

    48. following trails of BLOOD...

    49. They Lied About Your Membership Site

    50. Mike, personal message (OPEN NOW)

    51. what I'm doing next week...

    52. How to Get on Page ONE of Google (open now)

    53. URGENT: A sharp warning Mike...

    54. Let The Devastation Begin, Video Assassin Is ...

    55. I'll create a product for you...

    56. Front Page Of Google In HOURS... Watch It Don...

    57. Mike, Here's Your Exclusive Link.

    58. If You're An Affiliate, You Need To Read This...

    59. DUDE!

    60. Ultra URGENT

    61. Making money online has become a WHOLE lot ea...

    62. Watch Our "List Profit Method" Webinar...

    63. Do NOT Read This If You're One of the "Elite ...

    64. A thank you gift for you.

    65. uh oh, this is bad

    66. Closing down?

    67. Richard's *SHOCKING* Google Traffic Discovery...

    68. My highest recommendation.

    69. download my 58 page niche PDF

    70. Mike - Last-Minute IMeye Killer Bonus Feature...

    71. [VIDEO] The secrets to $15k a month ... Part ...

    72. Download this very SPECIAL FREE Gift! (Interv...

    73. Mike, $61,681 In ClickBank Commissions In Jus...

    74. Mike, Stop spinning...

    75. Re: my email the other day...

    76. ...EXACTLY how to make your first $1K online ...

    77. I know you want more traffic. Read this...

    78. Mike, Just 14 Hours Left For This... READ NOW...

    79. INVITE ONLY (New Video On My Blog)

    80. ...$4800 + $3600 from *FREE* Google traffic?

    81. How to Receive lots of 'Notification of Sale'...

    82. Webinar replay: Software that pinpoints profi...

    83. Better than your old job?

    84. URGENT video...

    85. Create your first product in 7 hours or less ...

    86. Mike, why don't you have a membership site?

    87. watch this short video

    88. Super Important: Watch Right Away...

    89. [25,392 Subscribers in 5 days] Free List Buil...

    90. Are You Tired of Paying for Graphics You Coul...

    91. URGENT message from xxxxxx xxxxxxx

    92. watch this... [Time Sensitive]

    93. ***(Video) You can't be successful online***

    94. NEW SYSTEM: 0 - 89K/month (Video proof)

    95. Mike, IMeye is LIVE!!! [WATCH THIS IMMEDIATEL...

    96. "Bruce Lee Secrets" To Making Big Money (BLOG...

    97. Mike, The SECRET I Used To Make $61,423 In Af...

    98. I'll create a product for you...

    99. Webinar reminder: Finding profitable niches a...

    100. want to "borrow" my webmaster?

    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • Dallas said,

      I'll create a product for you would be the only one that caught my attention

      Yeah, that got my curiousity Dallas. I may have to go back and read that one!
  • I got an email the other day that I didn't delete when I usually do without even opening it.

    The subject line was:

    Don't Do Business With These JV Partners!

    I've always been able to pass up the "national enquirer" type stuff but this one got to me.

    Oh...and...Paul Myers....

    You can't group him with any of the others. He has his own folder in outlook. His wife may not know it but, he's a keeper. :-)

  • I think you and I are subscribed to many of the same lists... These are the ones I opened.

    - I wouldn't open a "notification of payment received" - since this is my throwaway email, not my regular paypal email. Ditto for any emails that have "proof" of earnings, or hyped up offers; not to mention the "urgent" without any further details in the header. If it's urgent, tell me upfront...

    On the other hand - some free and some expensive offers got through...
  • Deborah said,

    I've always been able to pass up the "national enquirer" type stuff but this one got to me.

    I definitely know what you mean Deb, but know what? I would credit this person if I could remember who said it (maybe Michael Fortin), but someone said that magazines such as Cosmo and N. Enquirer have some of the best headlines insofar as pulling people in and getting their attention. --Mike
    • [1] reply
    • I have to agree with a couple of answers already given.
      #3. Peaked my curiosity.
      #9. I have already opened and unsubscribed from people using this one.

      Here's the one for you, would you open it?
      Mike, just wanted to say thanks for....
      • [1] reply
  • I would probably delete most of them, then I would WANT to open some of the others, but instead of opening them, I would save them to my "must read" folder, they would be there for safe keeping, but the chances of them actually being read are only slightly higher than the ones I deleted.

    Yes, I just deleted one of those e-mails from "must read" folder. It was never opened, and it was sent to me in 2002, I kid you not!

    Hmm...maybe that isn't a reflection on any of the subject lines but rather a reflection on my apathy toward most e-mail communication that doesn't have known purpose; such as messages from people I'm coaching, business partners, or notes from family (that DON'T start with FW: FW: Fw: Fw: fw: FW: Fw: Fw: You GOT To See THIS!!!!!).

    All the best,
    MIchael
    • [ 2 ] Thanks
    • [2] replies
    • 2002? That's hilarious. I would've lost it when my computer died. (That's my preferred method for cleaning up my email anyway.) You must be good at backing up.

      Back to the initial question...

      If I had time the day they were sent, I'd probably open the following 2 emails only...

      3. (New Video) Free tool reveals YEARS of split-testing data

      When someone offers to give me years of split-testing data, I'll take a look just to see if it's worth a test in my own marketing. If it's junk, I'd unsubscribe.

      67. Richard's *SHOCKING* Google Traffic Discovery...

      I'd be wary of this one, but I might take a look anyway. Again, just in case it gave me some traffic ideas. If it's junk (which it probably is with that hypey subject line), then I'd unsubscribe.

      Unlike some of the others, I wouldn't open...

      9. Mike Notification of Payment Received

      Even if they got my first name right, I'd know it wasn't for me because my notifications of payment received never have my first name in the subject line.

      In general, I've become pretty immune to Internet marketing email subject lines. Most days, I don't even scan them.
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
      • [1] reply
    • Michael Oksa said,
      ...but instead of opening them, I would save them to my "must read" folder, they would be there for safe keeping, but the chances of them actually being read are only slightly higher than the ones I deleted.

       I'm going to have to challenge you on the originality of that system Michael. I patented it back decades ago! That's the exactly system I use for opening bills that I get by mail :confused: .

      Oh, one other thing. I meant to put in my original post--but it was so freakin' long already. I got what I believe was the shortest email I ever got from an IM yesterday. He's a well known figure (initials T.K.) who is very well known for his list-building techniques.

      The subject line of his email was:
      Step Up And Be A God...
      The content of his email was:


      I'm wondering how much he paid his copywriter to draft that one for him?
      • [1] reply
  • You know what would catch my eye? Someone trying to build a relationship with me. This thread really got me to thinking about email marketing and how imo the end goal is to build a relationship with the email list. I think something like this would work well like a series of emails and say 2 that offer free information/reports etc then one after those that says now that you have the info here's the program to show you how to use it all together to make even more money such as:

    First email-Exclusive free report on how to find and build backlinks in record time(point out it's only being sent to preferred people)
    Second email-Complimentary case study/videos of an adsense plan being set up (again point out it's only being sent to special/preferred people)
    Third email-Special discount for elite subscribers-full plan on how to set up, manage and make money with adsense marketing


    So I know I am off in my titles this is on the fly BUT if someone were to approach me like that and build my trust first I would not only look at their emails more, I would remember their name and be more likely to buy from them later because I would have the impression already they are not just out to make a buck but more a partner in my success. Btw, I am definitely going to make sure with a list I build that all of my subscribers are preferred and/or elite so they feel special :-)

    ETA: Wow ya'll really got me thinking on this one. I might also try to address why some people don't get started and what obstacles they face. If someone had a hosting reseller account they could offer their list the first month of hosting free then a preferred discount and do things like that to get them started or something like hosting with a preferred discount with not only a free domain but help in picking that domain based on keywords. Or even give out an article on how to select keywords for free to help them choose their domain. The possibilities are starting to look endless. Thanks for this post :-)
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • Kella, you said...
      So I know I am off in my titles this is on the fly BUT if someone were to approach me like that and build my trust first I would not only look at their emails more, I would remember their name and be more likely to buy from them later because I would have the impression already they are not just out to make a buck but more a partner in my success.

      Kella, do you have any idea how many newbies come to the WF asking what the secret to success is in IM? Trust me--it's a lot. If I could get a rubber stamp with your words on it--I'd smack 'em right between the eyes with my stamp and remind them to look in the mirror every morning! --Mike
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
      • [1] reply
  • Ozduc said,
    Hey mike I have a little exercise for you. Just out of interest hit the unsubscribe button in said IM guys latest email and report back as to how many times you have to do that to stop getting emails. You can always re-subscribe if you really need to.
    I think I am up to about 12 times now and they still keep coming.

    I'm not gunna let you off my list Ozduc--no matter how many times you hit your freaking unsubscribe button :p. Hey, when you sign up with me, you sign up for life! (Kidding )
  • 18. Front Page Of Google In HOURS... Watch It Don...
    Something about Google and the front page always catches my eye...

    20. 1,000 Backlinks A Month
    Again, anything SEO related gets a clickthrough from me

    9. Mike Notification of Payment Received
    Stuff like that makes me curious, I'll open it for sure, but it really depends who it is that's sending the email

    24. [25,392 Subscribers in 5 days] Free List Buil...
    LOL I will admit it that I get suckered into "big numbers in short time spans", I'm a mammal, and I'm curious
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • I received a newsletter the other day that lost all credibility with me when i noticed that it ended with a name that was not the person i subscribed to.
  • Banned
    [DELETED]
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Big Mike said,
    When I send out emails to my list, I just use something like this:
  • Martin,

    BTW, you missed two of my best pulling subject lines ever...

    THUD!

    and

    What the HELL do you want?

    Yes, I sent out emails with those subject lines, and they worked. Well. The latter was imitated by some folks who didn't get such nice results, though...


    Paul
    • [1] reply
    • Paul,

      If I'd put those and several other beauties Mike would have known straightaway who'd written them.

      The point about the capitalization was about how you do your subject lines. You don't capitalize every word and so your subject lines (to me) seem more conversational.

      I only realized that today when I was looking through past issues of TalkBiz.

      Martin
  • well I just love seeing my inbox filled with these..... It's a good idea actually especially if you are trying to get the attention of I.Mers'

  • It's interesting that no one has mentioned the list has duplicate titles:

    13. One Affiliate Campaign Made Him $22,625
    33. One Affiliate Campaign Made Him $22,625

    14. [READ NOW] 50 subscribers only - $5,000 bonus...
    36. [READ NOW] 50 subscribers only - $5,000 bonus...

    24. [25,392 Subscribers in 5 days] Free List Buil...
    89. [25,392 Subscribers in 5 days] Free List Buil...

    42. Mike, why don't you have a membership site?
    86. Mike, why don't you have a membership site?

    Was that accidental, Mike? Same email from same person? Or from different senders?

    - Nightowl
    • [1] reply
    • I'll have to double check on that Nightowl. I tried to eliminate the dupes. My guess, though, is that different JV partners used the same swipe file from the vendor's affiliate page for their mailings. The vast majority of the emails were from JV partners promoting a product during the product launch of a new product though.



      The above graphs demonstrate why this is the case. Using Google>>show options>>standard view>>timeline, you can see the activity of searches for two different exact match searches.

      The top graph is of searches for "dog training" from 2000-2010 and shows a relatively stable search volume over that period. The bottom graph shows activity for the exact name of an IM related product--a product that was one of the first uber-massive launches of unprecedented success in Clickbank history. Google expands the bars along the y-axis to fill the space available, so the peak is actually much stronger than appears.

      The point is that product launches and the traffic they generate are short-lived things. To make the fast money from promoting them one must have a strong presence online for the exact name of the product immediately after the launch (actually somewhat before).

      The JV partners hit their list within minutes of the launch (when the actual sales page is live) to play off the buzz of the launch. That's why, in the case of the email subject lines I gave, there were literally dozens of emails with the same or similar subject lines within days of the launch of the product.

      Like I said, I tried to weed out most of the dupes--but some got by me.
      • [1] reply
  • I don't go for "attention grabbing" subject lines. The emails open are from people I know and trust.

    There are far too many sensational subject lines in my inbox and the more sensational the more likely I am to open and unsubscribe!
  • This one:

    "29. The most lucrative niche online"

    It got me curious!

    Anything that gets me curious to learn more.

    When the subject ends leaving me asking myself a question, I tend to open the
    email to see if it's answered.

    e.g.

    I signed up - Did you? (My mind asks: "To what?")

    This guy is STILL Magic! (My mind asks: "Who is?")

    Shall We Take A Break, And... (My mind asks: "Do what?")

    I Might As Well GIVE UP... ! (My mind asks: "Why? What went wrong?")

    I made a terrible mistake, and... (My mind asks: "What happened?")

    Dr.Mani, a little story... (My mind goes: "Ooh! I love stories!)

    Because I Care About... (My mind asks: "Who? Or what?)

    The purpose of a headline is to get a prospect to read the next sentence.

    The purpose of an email subject line is to get a subscriber to open the email.

    All success
    Dr.Mani
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • Dr. Mani,
      You are not only a great online marketer (I have read some of your stuff) but a gentleman of the highest order. Thanks for contributing. You're right, curiosity is a huge part of email marketing.

      I happened to look on AOL last night. On the opening splash page they always have 5-10 subject headers where you can click for more info. They are very, very good at enticing you to want more information--to engage your curiosity. One example was the headline...

      NBA Team Signs Head Coach's Son

      Notice that they don't tell you what NBA team is involved, nor do they tell you which head coach they are referencing. Curious?--you need to click to learn more. Same thing you mentioned.

      << "29. The most lucrative niche online">>

      Yes, a hot niche can be a gold mine. That might get me too!

      <I made a terrible mistake, and...>

      I've seen people use that one all the time. It must work well.

      Thanks! --Mike
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • I'd have to say i'm a bit undecided. But, it's like what a lot of people have said here - it really depends on who the sender is.

    In terms of priority of email marketing elements, the subject line is #2, after who the sender is.
  • I would not pick ANY of them, i would write my own. Simple. I would not try the "hype" style, the above #100 are all "bad" IMO since they are the same as i am getting constantly myself - and NEVER open. With the exception of "Front Page of Google in Hours" <--- which i MIGHT probably open. But that's just my personal preference.
    • [ 3 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • Ain't that the truth! Your words remind me of the old story about three blind men who come across a dead elephant and each thinks it's something else based on which part of it they touched. Each only had a part of the truth.

      It also reminds me of an old Bukka White song, titled something like, There's Your Truth, My Truth, and the Whole Dang Truth. This was a fun thread, Mike. Nice job.
  • What was the prize anyways? lol
    • [1] reply
    • Kelly, you get right to the point. I like that.

      But first I want to thank everyone who commented--I learned a lot from what you said. I "thanked" a lot of people, but I got tired hitting the button and I usually check stuff out here late at night with my eyes half open. If I didn't thank you don't take it personally--I was probably running on empty at the time. Thanks all!

      So back to Kelly's question about the prize. Yes, I like prizes and I loved reading your responses. So let's do this. I've been working on a new product for the past couple weeks. It's an ebook that runs over 100 pages. Be done in a day or two.

      I'm going to collect all the names of people who have posted a comment in this thread UP TO THIS TIME, and fire off a copy to them. It won't make you a million dollars overnight--it might take 24 hours , but you might get a bit from it. I'll PM you with a link before week's end.

      Thanks again; You are all great people and I consider you all good WF friends!

      --Mike
  • Banned
    None of them turn my crank. But this would -

    "unbelievable...Frank Kern gives up I.M. and joins Hare Krishna sect"
    I'm predicting record open rates on that one.
  • 82. Webinar replay: Software that pinpoints profi... is my first choice. Sorry I am a sucker for webinar replays --usually.

    72. Download this very SPECIAL FREE Gift! (Interv.. is my 2nd choice

    Quite frankly I have seen better subject lines that I usually open too --more out of curiosity than anything, but..., of course, I can't remember what they said at the moment. Good post though.
  • "6. Customer Retention (behind the scenes)"

    Actually, none of them really jumped out at me.

    I guess I'm already "trained".

    -Shaun
  • Dennis Gaskill said,
    Ain't that the truth! Your words remind me of the old story about three blind men who come across a dead elephant and each thinks it's something else based on which part of it they touched. Each only had a part of the truth.

    The thing I got about "multiple truths" was stolen from Kurosawa's film Roshoman from back in the 50's or 60's. Three witnesses to a brutal murder relay their observation and the reasons why they believe it occurred. The stories are grossly different, although all three witnessed exactly the same crime although none saw the entire event, just parts of it. While they all told the truth, the truths were all different.

    Just like your elephant story Dennis.

    One of my favorite lines from the movie was (and I'm paraphrasing probably)...

    I don't care if it's a lie if it's interesting.

    --Mike
  • Metronicity, you said you would open...

    "unbelievable...Frank Kern gives up I.M. and joins Hare Krishna sect"

    Hey, I'd open that one just to see what he did to his hair once he joined! Think it might ruin his surfer dude image .
  • Here's a subject line I definitely won't open:

    I'm Katrina in Russia. Want to get to know me?
    • [2] replies
    • Mike,

      Thanks for your detailed explanation of why you chose the winning subject line - I can certainly see your point. In fact, I followed the link and discovered a potentially useful site I'd hitherto been unaware of.

      Now, if only Kim would remove that redundant apostrophe on the header (Down, wombat, down).

      Mike, this thread was already a fascinating read, but your referencing of Kurosawa has now elevated it into the realms of "epic".

      Thanks again.


      Frank
    • Taskline, you said:

      Here's a subject line I definitely won't open:
      I'm Katrina in Russia. Want to get to know me?

      You're too late anyway Taskline. I've already hooked up with her
      --Mike
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  • 84

    I'll Pick My Winner In 3 Days... It Might Be You!

    I spend time worrying about things that probably don't matter; I don't think this is one of them. I've got a couple of email accounts I use just to subscribe to competitor's lists. I like to know what they are promoting, what kind of content they provide (not much), and how they craft their emails.