With the average open rate for sales emails at 21%, the subject line is clearly our first line of defense.
Here are 3 things you should avoid in your subject line;
Putting an “RE” or “FWD” In The Subject Line: Sales is built on trust! I’m going to go out on a limb and say that people find it hard to trust someone who just tricked them.
Here’s something to keep in mind in ALL that you do (not just with email subject lines)
Whatever you say and do repeatedly and consistently gets linked to you. Repetition therefore is the mother of brand.
Using Words (And Phrases) That Get Sniffed Out By Spam Filters: Here’s a list of 200 words you should avoid using in your subject lines and in the body of your email. Hat tip to Comm100 for creating this extensive list!
| 4U | Claims you are a winner | For instant access |
| Accept credit cards | Claims you registered with Some Kind of Partner | For just $ (some amt) |
| Act now! Don’t hesitate! | Click below | Free access |
| Additional income | Click here link | Free cell phone |
| Addresses on CD | Click to remove | Free consultation |
| All natural | Click to remove mailto | Free DVD |
| Amazing | Compare rates | Free grant money |
| Apply Online | Compete for your business | Free hosting |
| As seen on | Confidentially on all orders | Free installation |
| Auto email removal | Congratulations | Free investment |
| Avoid bankruptcy | Consolidate debt and credit | Free leads |
| Be amazed | Copy accurately | Free membership |
| Be your own boss | Copy DVDs | Free money |
| Being a member | Credit bureaus | Free offer |
| Big bucks | Credit card offers | Free preview |
| Bill 1618 | Cures baldness | Free priority mail |
| Billing address | Dear email | Free quote |
| Billion dollars | Dear friend | Free sample |
| Brand new pager | Dear somebody | Free trial |
| Bulk email | Different reply to | Free website |
| Buy direct | Dig up dirt on friends | Full refund |
| Buying judgments | Direct email | Get It Now |
| Cable converter | Direct marketing | Get paid |
| Call free | Discusses search engine listings | Get started now |
| Call now | Do it today | Gift certificate |
| Calling creditors | Don’t delete | Great offer |
| Can’t live without | Drastically reduced | Guarantee |
| Cancel at any time | Earn per week | Have you been turned down? |
| Cannot be combined with any other offer | Easy terms | Hidden assets |
| Cash bonus | Eliminate bad credit | Home employment |
| Cashcashcash | Email harvest | Human growth hormone |
| Casino | Email marketing | If only it were that easy |
| Cell phone cancer scam | Expect to earn | In accordance with laws |
| Cents on the dollar | Fantastic deal | Increase sales |
| Check or money order | Fast Viagra delivery | Increase traffic |
| Claims not to be selling anything | Financial freedom | Insurance |
| Claims to be in accordance with some spam law | Find out anything | Investment decision |
| Claims to be legal | For free | It’s effective |
| Join millions of Americans | No questions asked | Reverses aging |
| Laser printer | No selling | Risk free |
| Limited time only | No strings attached | Round the world |
| Long distance phone offer | Not intended | S 1618 |
| Lose weight spam | Off shore | Safeguard notice |
| Lower interest rates | Offer expires | Satisfaction guaranteed |
| Lower monthly payment | Offers coupon | Save $ |
| Lowest price | Offers extra cash | Save big money |
| Luxury car | Offers free (often stolen) passwords | Save up to |
| Mail in order form | Once in lifetime | Score with babes |
| Marketing solutions | One hundred percent free | Section 301 |
| Mass email | One hundred percent guaranteed | See for yourself |
| Meet singles | One time mailing | Sent in compliance |
| Member stuff | Online biz opportunity | Serious cash |
| Message contains disclaimer | Online pharmacy | Serious only |
| MLM | Only $ | Shopping spree |
| Money back | Opportunity | Sign up free today |
| Money making | Opt in | Social security number |
| Month trial offer | Order now | Special promotion |
| More Internet traffic | Order status | Stainless steel |
| Mortgage rates | Orders shipped by priority mail | Stock alert |
| Multi level marketing | Outstanding values | Stock disclaimer statement |
| Name brand | Pennies a day | Stock pick |
| New customers only | People just leave money laying around | Stop snoring |
| New domain extensions | Please read | Strong buy |
| Nigerian | Potential earnings | Stuff on sale |
| No age restrictions | Print form signature | Subject to credit |
| No catch | Print out and fax | Supplies are limited |
| No claim forms | Produced and sent out | Take action now |
| No cost | Profits | Talks about hidden charges |
| No credit check | Promise you …! | Talks about prizes |
| No disappointment | Pure profit | Tells you it’s an ad |
| No experience | Real thing | Terms and conditions |
| No fees | Refinance home | The best rates |
| No gimmick | Removal instructions | The following form |
| No inventory | Remove in quotes | They keep your money — no refund! |
| No investment | Remove subject | They’re just giving it away |
| No medical exams | Removes wrinkles | This isn’t junk |
| No middleman | Reply remove subject | This isn’t spam |
| No obligation | Requires initial investment | University diplomas |
| No purchase necessary | Reserves the right | Unlimited |
| Unsecured credit/debt | We honor all | Will not believe your eyes |
| Urgent | Weekend getaway | Winner |
| US dollars | What are you waiting for? | Winning |
| Vacation offers | While supplies last | Work at home |
| Viagra and other drugs | While you sleep | You have been selected |
| Wants credit card | Who really wins? | Your income |
| We hate spam | Why pay more? | |
Subject Lines That Are More About Your Company Than Your Potential Client’s World: One of the biggest mistakes I see in the subject line (and in the first 3 sentences of the body of the email) is too much “me” and no “them”.
Examples:
Putting the name of your company in the subject line
Putting the name of your product or service in the subject line
I want you to imagine, sending and receiving north of 120 emails per day. Now imagine having to make a quick decision as to which emails get read, and which ones get disregarded and deleted.
Now think about this . . .
Which type of email subject line would appeal to you more;
A subject line that addressed you, your company, your industry, your competitors or;
A subject line that talked about ME.
So there you have it;
3 things to avoid saying and doing in your subject lines.
CAN I MAKE A SUGGESTION?
If you haven’t registered for my 20 Sales Emails That Get Opened, Read & Responded To webinar, now might be an awesome time!
It takes place this Thursday, December 21st, at 11:30 am EST and I’ll even send you the replay and templates if you can’t make it.
Here’s the plan;
I’m going to share a really effective, 4 step messaging framework, 20 types of sales emails, and then send you on your way with my sales email templates.
Here are just a few of the emails we discuss;
- The 2 emails that generate a sick amount of appointments for me each week.
- The one email (with 12 different variations) that reduces doubt, skepticism and objections.
- The email that demonstrates your expertise.
- The “Little Big Horn” email.
- 2 emails you MUST send to your LinkedIn network.
- The “Social Clue” email.
- The “Disappearing Prospect” email.
- An intro email (with 30 different variations).
- The “Reverse Call To Action” email
When?
Thursday, December 21st at 11:30 am EST.
Here’s what you’ll get;
(1) 90 minute webinar with over 50 ideas.
- Worksheets
- My personal sales email folder with 20 templates!
How much?
$99
Please click HERE or the button below to join us (and to get your email templates)
