10 Email Subject Line Blunders

Jun 8, 2010 by admin

Doesn’t it seem like it is easier to get into Buckingham Palace then to get into your prospect’s inboxes?

Unfortunately, many people still do not have a clear understanding that your subject line is your meal ticket when recipients are deciding whether to interact with your email.  Because so many dishonest e-mailers have filled inboxes with free Viagra solicitations, trips to Paris, and requests for funds sent to Pakistan, they have discredited the rest of us who have legitimate messages we’d like to share.

With this challenge in mind, we’ve compiled 10 common mistakes made in email marketing subject lines you should avoid:

1. Excess Punctuation!!!!

Even using only one exclamation mark or question mark can flag spam filters because many spammers include lots of extra punctuation to draw your eyes to their email in hopes that you’re in the market for a prescription-free pain killer.

2. ALL CAPS

By using all caps, you are a red hot spam flag. Again, this tactic is another “strategy” that spammers utilize in hopes their email will draw your eyes quickly.

3. Misleading Information

If you are sending an email to your customers about discount prices on your printers, don’t title your email “Merry Christmas.” Even if it’s in December.

4. Use of Key “Bad Words”

We’re talking four-letter words, but not the ones you’re thinking. Using FREE, or any forms of the word (DISCOUNTED, SPECIAL, CUT-RATE) in your email subject line will give you a FREE ticket to your recipient’s spam filters.

5. Repetitive Subject Lines

By continuing to use the same subject line (even if it follows all guidelines) you are telling your recipients they’ve already read this email. This leads to less interaction with your email, and down the road, could land your emails in spam filter prison.

6. Too Personal

Hi, How Are You? Using personal subject lines look extremely spammy, like someone is trying to get you to open their email because they’re one of your friends. Even if it’s a follow up email, use something like “Checking In,” Or “Touching Base” to add a more professional touch.

7. First Line of Message

Do not start your email in your subject line, because your recipients may not open it to read the rest of it. Putting the main point of the email in the subject line is a better alternative.

8. Cryptic Subjects

Including numbers, symbols or currency in your subject line can make your email look like junk mail, right from the word “go.” Even if you are trying to let your recipients know that you have Samsung 23″ LCD Monitor $199 plus Sony 40″ HDTV $749, this content could be confusing and hard on the eyes.

9. Bad Spelling and Grammar

This tip seems like a no brainer, but we wouldn’t include it if we didn’t ‘sea’ it (we mean ‘see’ it).  Not all email service providers have spell check mechanisms for the subject portion of your email. Your prospects, leads and customers judge your competency when you use poor grammar.

10. Too Long

Life is short, so don’t bore your recipients with subject lines longer than 50 characters!

By avoiding these email subject line mistakes, your emails will be more professional, engaging – and have a better chance of getting delivered to your prospects.  Now that’s an email marketing strategy we can all feel good about!