Desperately Deceptive Email Subject Lines

I'm an affiliate marketer and product owner who sells products
through an ARMY of affiliates. So I understand that it can be
difficult to even get your emails opened at times and that if
they are not opened, they cannot be read, and if they are
not read, they cannot make sales.


So, I understand the need to be creative at times, using things
like curiosity in subject lines.

However, I feel that when the subject lines are downright deceptive,
that's where the marketer crosses the line, and insults the
potential customer. I'm sure that to marketers where the
customer is "just a number" that doesn't matter.


One subject line that to me clearly crosses that line lately
is the one saying "You've Got A Sale" or "You've Made A Sale."

That subject line is crafted to mimic the sales notifications
that I get DOZENS of some days, and I do glance at many of them
because I want to make sure that orders are being properly
fulfilled, etc.

When I see that it's someone trying to trick me into opening
their email, it instantly lowers my opinion of them and their
marketing skills (or lack thereof).

It also causes me to make mental notes not to deal with them
in many cases. I can only assume that my customers... and your
customers make that same mental note... if they don't instantly
unsubscribe.

When I read my email, I look at the from column first. That
determines which emails I open first. I typically open emails
from names that I recognize first.

Next I read the subject lines, and those that actually tell
me what the email is about, or promises some clear benefit
to opening them.

I DO buy lots of products and services incidentally. I'm
constantly looking for things that will give me or my clients
"that slight edge." So I even buy a lot of stuff purely for
research. I just don't buy from people that I feel are too
deceptive.

I wonder if many fellow Warrior get those emails, and how you
honestly feel about them... and the marketers who use them.

Maybe they work. I don't know since I've resisted the temptation
to use them thus far.

Willie