Paul Castain's Blog

These Cold Email Subject Lines Will Get You Sent To The Spam Folder or Deleted

Posted December 8, 2022

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?

For every 100 cold emails you send, you’ll typically get ONLY 1-5 responses!

That sucks, but here’s what YOU can do about it!

I’ve tested 10 cold email tactics as well as 19 cold email templates and on December 15th I’m going to share them!

Here’s a sample of what we’re going to discuss;

  • The 3-Touch “Promise” Sequence (Plus 3 templates)
  • The 3-Touch LinkedIn Sequence (Plus 3 templates)
  • The “Speedbump” Tactic (Plus 2 templates)
  • 14 Ways To Establish Credibility (Plus 5 Templates)
  • The Email I Send When Someone Is Using My Competitor (Plus 1 Template)
  • 2 Types Of Referral Emails (Plus 2 Templates)
  • The Email You MUST Send During Uncertain Times (Plus 1 Template)
  • Why “Bump” Emails Are Broken And What You Can Do To Fix Them (Plus 1 Template)
  • The One Type Of Email The C-Level Can’t Resist (Plus 1 Template)

When?

December 15th from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm EST

Can’t join us live? Sign up anyway and you’ll receive the webinar replay and all the templates!

What’s Included?

(1) 60-75 minute training session

Webinar Replay

19 Email Templates

How Much?

$99 

Click HERE to reserve your spot!

Paul Castain
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Castain Training Systems
(631) 455-2455
Paul Castain, Founder & CEO
paul@yoursalesplaybook.com

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