130+ Prospecting Email Subject Lines (That Work!)

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May 16th, 2021

If you're looking to boost your email open rates and increase sales, your email subject line is the first (and most important) step in achieving those goals.

Did you know that 33% of email recipients open emails because of an engaging subject line?

That's why it's critical to craft a catchy email subject line that will get you the traffic and conversions you deserve.

We've put together a list of 130+ prospecting email subject lines (that work!).

Some are proven examples from other successful campaigns, and some are creative ideas to inspire you.

Creative Email Subject Line Ideas

It's been a pleasure!
A [benefit] for [prospect's company]
We can help!
X ways we can help you with [issue they might have]
Your comment on {post} was insightful
Thank you for our [date] meeting
Oh! I forgot to mention.
“Thank you 🙏 in advance”
What would it take?
{Prospect’s Name}, it’s finally nice to connect with {Common Ground}.
Here’s what I’ll do
Only two weeks until {regulation law}.
“Can you spare 5 minutes, [First name]?”
Question about [goal]
Looking forward to meeting you at {Conference Name}, {First name}
Feeling [insert emotion]? Let me help
Adieu.
Meeting invite: [Date]
{Prospect’s Name}, here is a personal note
WILSOOOON!!
{First Name}, What went wrong?
Check it out, {First name}
One Question. {question about favorite place}?
Request to connect.
Resources to help with {pain point}
Get ready for {event}!
Have you thought about [topic/product/service]?
Did you get what you were looking for?
So nice to meet you, [Prospect]!
{First Name}, {Pain Point}
Thinking about {specific goal}?
Are you ok?
[the e.e. cummings subject line]
[mutual acquaintance] suggested we reach out!
One last quarter to go, on track to hit {specific target}?
[Prospect], I thought you might like these blogs
You are not alone.
We have [insert fact] in common ...
Don’t tell my boss
Our next steps
I found you through [referral name]
{Mutual Connection} asked me to get in touch with you.
Could you use one of these?
26 seconds (or less).
New [department] strategy for [company name]
Hello from the other side…
{First Name}, I just missed you!
Are you making these mistakes?
Free [day of the week] at 1:45?
Hello. My name’s Forrest, Forrest Gump. You want a chocolate?
Am I assuming correctly?
A 3-step plan for your busy week
NOBODY EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION!!
Your Netflix password?
How you doin?
“Congrats on the promotion, [First Name]”
{Prospect Name}, want to learn more about {solution}?
Are you ready?
[Company name] + [Company name]: [Date]
Know this about [topic of interest]?
Where is the love?
Only few seats available for {conference/training classes/etc..}
Jam-packed schedule? Let us help you out.
It’s not you, it’s me.
{Product Benefit}
The next steps
Need help implementing {change due to a regulation}?
Moving On.
{Prospect Name}, Thanks from {Your Company}.
BTW, {Mutual connection} told me to get in touch with you
X tips/ideas for [pain point]
It's been great doing business with you!
I'd love your feedback on that meeting
Want to talk about {Topic}?
Next Step?
Build your {team} like {favorite sports team}
Idea for [topic the prospect cares about]
Last chance to snag this deal!
HBO Go password?
3 weekend ideas for you
Time to chat?
Question about {Goal}
Did you see that ludicrous display last night?
Should I stay or should I go?
Do not open this email
Ideas for {goal}
I thought about what you said
Can you help me out?
Hoping you can help.
Goodbye, {Prospect’s Name}
Hi, we're [company name]. Nice to meet you!
Are you ready for?
Key challenges in implementing {solution}.
I had this idea since we last spoke
Hi [name], [question]?
Hey!
Just tried calling you.
[Mutual connection] recommended I get in touch
If you change your mind about partnering with [your company]
Want to be #1 on the app store? Let us help!
X steps to achieve [goal they might have]
We'd love your feedback
Getting started with [product/service]
Interested in [related topic]?
I love everything in this email!
First steps to improving your [issue you're helping with]
X options to get started
I got the good stuff. Hit me up anytime.
Time for a quick touch base?
Requesting a meeting on [Day]
How are you dealing with {Pain Point}?
Congrats {First name}! Have you thought of {business value}?
Would love to work with you again.
Here's that info I promised you
10x [prospect's company]'s traction in 10 minutes
Here's that information you requested
Things didn’t work out here. How about {playing favorite sport} next weekend?
Permission to close your file?
“[First Name], what would you change about your company culture?”
15 minutes this week?
{First Name}, I love {favorite facebook group} too
“The stage is set for [Company Name] to crush Q4 goals”
Where shall we start?
Feeling blue? Like baby pandas?
What are your views on Crocs?
10 mins — [date]?
{First Name} x {Company Name}
Can you point me in the right direction?
Time to Part Ways
Hoping to help

GUIDE: How To Write A Great Subject Line

As we mentioned above, crafting a catchy subject line is critical to the performance of your email campaign.

While just a few words may seem like a small piece of your overall message, this is the first impression your audience will have before they decide whether to open your email.

If your subject line isn't engaging or appealing enough, there's a chance it could get buried in your reader's inbox.

Let's go over the proven tips on how to craft a subject line that boosts engagement:

What makes a great subject line?

First, let's discuss the fundamentals of creating a great subject line:

Spark interest and curiosity
A clear and urgent call to action
An offer/intriguing discount
Personalization (this can be done by sending out different versions of emails to subscribers based on their preferences)
Relevance - make sure your subject line covers the current trends and topics within your industry

5 Tips To Crafting a Great Subject Line

Now, let's dive into the specifics of how to create a great subject line for your next campaign:

1. Use a familiar sender name

Although this may seem obvious, it's a piece many marketers miss the ball on.

Your readers want to feel like your email is coming from a human and not a corporation or automated system.

One of the easiest and most effective ways to do this is by changing the sender's name to YOUR name or someone in the company that is well known.

Here's a great example of this from Marketing Examples

Pro Tip

Avoid the "no-reply" sender name at all costs. This makes your email feel unfamiliar, unapproachable, and less personable.

2. Keep your subject short and to the point

If your subject line is too long, it will get cut off, which could impact your reader's chances of opening your email.

The rule of thumb (for both mobile and desktop) is to keep your subject line under 50 characters.

3. Add personal touches to your subject line

If you have access to information about your subscriber (ie. name, location, etc), you can use this to benefit your subject line and catch your readers attention.

It's important not to go overboard here, but adding even the simplest touch such as their name can build trust and rapport.

Here's a great example of a personalized email + offer I received from BarkBox with my dog's name in the subject line:

4. Avoid making any false promises

Your subject line makes a commitment to your reader, so it's important you don't stretch the truth just to simply get more opens and clicks.

In the grand scheme of things, making false promises will end up hurting your open rate as your readers will lose trust in you.

5. Give them a sneak peek of what's inside

Telling your subscriber what is inside helps with open and clicks.

For example, if you're providing your reader with a free guide or e-book, consider making your subject line something along the lines of:

"Your FREE marketing e-book awaits!"

Conclusion

If you want your email campaign to perform well, it all starts with your subject line.

Think about the emails you receive in your inbox and what makes you click vs what gets buried - odds are, the same habits go for your customer.

We hope you enjoyed our guide + list of 130+ prospecting email subject lines (that work!).

meet the author

Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.

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