Why do sales email subject lines matter? Well, the truth is that a strong subject line is crucial for any type of email, but it’s especially true for sales.
Without a compelling subject line, your email marketing efforts will likely yield poor results, as no one will open your messages. The good news? You don’t have to start from scratch.
In this post, we’ll explore 90 ideas to inspire your next sales email subject lines, including:
- Direct sales subject lines
- Curiosity-driven sales subject lines
- Personalized sales subject lines
- Pain point sales subject lines
- Urgency and scarcity subject lines
- Quantified subject lines
- Referral sales subject lines
- Follow-up sales subject lines
- Meeting request sales subject lines
- Re-targeting sales email subject lines
- Social proof sales subject lines
- No-response sales subject lines
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Why are sales email subject lines important?
An email subject line is the equivalent of your opening greeting when cold calling. Simply put, it plays a huge role in determining your email open rate: 47% of people will decide to open an email based on the subject line alone.
Obviously, if your prospects don’t open your emails, you can’t sell them on what’s inside. But if your subject lines for email sales resonate, you’ll have a foot in the door—and a chance to build a mutual connection and move them one step closer to becoming your customer.
The thing is, email sale subject lines are notoriously tricky to get right. The average professional gets 121 emails a day. Their inbox (and spam folder!) is flooded with everything from team notices and urgent client requests to newsletter updates and password resets.
That’s a lot to sort through, so unless your email is a priority, chances are it won’t be opened.
That’s why capturing your prospect’s attention with a subject line that intrigues them enough to read on can be a tough ask. It’s no surprise that the average email open rate is just 37.72% across all industries.
So, what should you put in the subject line of a sales email to make it stand out and contribute to the success of your outreach?
What makes good sales email subject lines?
Renowned copywriter Eugene Schwartz once wrote:
“Your headline has one job: to stop your prospect and compel him to read the second sentence of your ad.”
Other than the fact that prospects aren’t only men anymore, this is pretty spot-on—and it applies to your subject line, too. It has one job: to stop your prospect and compel them to open your email.
To do this, your subject line should hint at some benefit to the prospect.
This could be advice on increasing their revenue during the next quarter, or it could mean they get to find out why their friend Anna referred them to you. Whatever the case, it’s what the prospect cares about that counts.
The best email subject lines for sales tend to provoke interest without revealing too much, giving your prospects a reason to open the email and keep reading.
The most effective email subject lines for sales are also easy to understand. (Those that aren’t are either ignored or deleted!)
So, make sure you write your subject lines in clear and simple English and keep them short enough that they don’t get cut off. That being said, if you use ellipses well, it could give your email an air of mystery that invites the reader to open it…
If you want your whole team to write the best sales email subject lines, make it easy for them to share their knowledge of your prospects. A messaging app or communication tool would be handy here. Something like the RingCentral app would let your reps ask each other, “What do you think of this subject line?” and get feedback from the team quickly while writing their sales emails:
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some subject line examples that you can copy and customize for your next campaign.
Catchy email subject lines for sales examples
The very best salespeople will tell you just how important good email subject lines for sales are… but they might not share their secrets with you!
We’re here to help and demystify this critical piece of any sales process. Here are a whole bunch of catchy email subject lines for sales you can try:
Direct sales subject lines
Sometimes the best approach is the direct approach.
Subject lines that get to the point and make it clear why you’re reaching out make life easier for your prospect.
Instead of running the risk of opening a misleading email, prospects know what subject matter to expect from the message and can accurately decide whether it interests them.
- “About [a situation] at [prospect’s company]…”
This matter-of-fact subject line is upfront about what the message is about. For example: “About the timber supply at Danny’s workshop…”
- “[Your company] + [prospect’s company] = success”
This classic cold email subject line works because it’s immediately clear what you’re offering — a mutually beneficial partnership. Prospects will be intrigued to know how they can help you, as well as how you can help them.
- “Quick question about [prospect’s company]”
This subject line gets straight to the point about what’s inside. Your prospect can decide if they want to answer any questions before opening the email.
- “Your monthly [X] target”
Again, the reader is explicitly told what the focus of the message will be without having to open it. For example: “Your monthly Facebook impressions target.”
- “Opportunity for [company name]”
Here’s another email subject line example that doesn’t beat around the bush. You’re immediately communicating that you have an exciting opportunity for the prospect—but to know what it is, they’ll have to open the email.
- “Want to try [your product]?”
Asking the prospect whether they want to try your product gets straight to the point while hinting at a free trial.
Curiosity-driven sales subject lines
We don’t like leaving gaps in our understanding of things.
Subject lines that pique our curiosity create such gaps by giving us unexpected, incomplete information, and promise closure if we read on—it’s the same psychology that’s behind clickbait ads online.
If you use this technique, make sure you deliver on the promise in the body of the email. It should genuinely bridge the gap you created in your subject line.
- “Don’t open this email”
This subject line uses blatant reverse psychology to tempt the reader to look inside.
- “They told us it was impossible”
Who are “they”? Who is “us”? What is “it”? This subject line fires up the imagination in a race for answers.
- “You’re invited”
This simple, two-word subject line plays on the exclusive thrill of getting an invite. An invite to what? Who knows!
- “Hey, can you keep a secret?”
This line also makes the reader feel like they might be in on something exclusive. Whatever it is, it’s worth opening the email to find out.
- “Not cool, guys”
This effective subject line from the headline wizards at BuzzFeed makes us wonder what juicy drama might be revealed within the email body—something that’s sure to lead to higher open rates.
- “Are you a part of the 6%?”
The 6% of what? This line hooks us in by suggesting we may be a member of some exceptional (or not-so-exceptional) minority.
- “Warning: this email might lead to [exciting benefit]”
The word “warning” immediately catches your prospect off guard and provokes them into reading the rest of the subject line. From there, they’re left wondering what exciting benefit they might realize from reading your email.
- “You’re going to love what’s waiting for you inside this email”
This great subject line encourages email opens by teasing the possibility of an exclusive offer or deal.
- “Can I help?”
This subject line piques the question “help with what?”, which encourages prospects to open the email to see what valuable advice you have to offer.
- “[Unexpected question about a trending or industry-specific topic]”
Leading with an unexpected question starts a conversation with your prospect, enticing them to open the email. Ask a daring question about a current trend, industry topic, or even the inner workings of the prospect’s company. For example: “Are you afraid of AI taking over the world?”
- “Can I be honest?”
This is another question that piques the reader’s interest. It implies that they’re in for some juicy knowledge or hard-hitting advice.
- “This. Is. It.”
This punchy subject line stops us in our tracks. What is “this”? What is “it”? We simply need to know.
- “Ready?”
Ready for what? This one word email subject line sparks curiosity by signaling to the prospect that they need to prepare for something big. Bonus points if you know the prospect’s name here, as it adds a bit of personalization. And talking of personalization…
Personalized sales subject lines
Personalized subject lines add a human touch to your emails and come across as more thoughtful than standard messages sent to everyone. People know that email campaigns will inevitably involve some automation, but they’ll still appreciate a hint of the personal touch.
Personalization may include addressing the recipient by name, mentioning where they’re from, or referring to something unique about their work or interests.
- “Hey, [name], I loved your blog post on [website name]”
This line combines personalization with praise, signaling to the reader that you’ve taken the time and effort to research them as a real person.
- “Hi, [name], I noticed you’re working hard at [goal]”
This line suggests that you’re keen to help the reader achieve a specific objective they find meaningful.
- “Hi, [name], [question]?”
This direct yet courteous subject line quickly gets to the heart of the matter.
- “Congratulations on [relevant event]”
Expressing your praise or good wishes on an important occasion can go a long way toward fostering goodwill on the part of your prospect.
- “Hey, [name], we heard you’re the go-to person for [area of expertise]”
People like to be acknowledged for what they’re good at, and this personalized email subject line offers the reader a welcome ego boost.
- “Only the best for you, [name]”
This line shows that you value and respect your prospect, giving them a sense of familiarity and being looked after.
- “If you like [topic], then you’re going to love this”
This subject line works if you know the specific interests of your prospect.
- “[Name], we’ve got a customized solution for you”
This subject line communicates that you’re not providing a generic product—something which is very appealing to B2B customers. Just make sure you’ve done your research into the prospect’s company to deliver true, individualized value in the body of your email.
Pain point sales subject lines
Focusing on your prospect’s pain points can make your subject lines hyper-relevant.
After all, it’s hard to ignore a message that zeroes in on a particular difficulty you’re facing.
The possibility of discovering a new product or solution makes it worth your while to take a look at what’s inside.
- “[X] workarounds for your [pain point]”
This subject line promises immediate, practical advice to help with the reader’s specific problem. And even if the email isn’t coupled with a sales pitch, giving your prospect upfront value can go a long way toward warming them to you.
- “Let’s talk solutions to [pain point]”
In a similar vein, this subject line gets straight to the point by offering practical advice. The word “solutions” is slightly more sales-y, which works if you want to take a more direct approach to lead generation.
- “Are you struggling with [pain point]? You’re not alone”
Offer your prospect some reassurance by reminding them that other people are facing similar problems and that you might be able to help.
- “Hi, [name]. Here’s what we think about [pain point]”
This line promises the reader a fresh perspective on how to address their problem.
- “Fix your [pain point] in [X] weeks”
The fixed timeline implies that a practical plan to solve the reader’s issue can be found inside.
- “Need a solution that’s more [reliable/cost-effective/scalable] than [product]?”
Do you know what solution your prospect is currently using? If so, identify an advantage that you have over your competitor and communicate it in your subject line.
- “Is your current solution [pain point]? We’re here to help”
Even if you don’t know what solution your prospect is currently using, you can identify common pain points that companies have with products in your niche and use them to hint at a better alternative (i.e., your solution).
- “[Relevant industry statistic about pain point]”
Grab your prospect’s attention with an industry statistic on a pain point they can relate to, enticing them to click your email. For example: “50% of call center agents waste 2 hours a day on admin — how about you?”.
- “Imagine a day without [pain point]”
Activate your prospects’ imagination by encouraging them to envision how much better their workflow would be without a specific pain point getting in the way. They’ll be eager to dig into your email to see how they can make it a reality.
Urgency and scarcity subject lines
One way to make your subject lines stand out is to use urgency, scarcity, and the feeling that opening your message is time-sensitive.
Limited time and availability motivate people to take action to avoid feeling like they’ve missed out (i.e., FOMO).
This makes it harder for your prospects to delay reading your emails or to delete them without opening them first.
- “Tonight.”
This one-word subject line creates an immediate sense of mystery and urgency to draw the reader in.
- “One day left to get in on [offer]”
This gives readers the impression that the clock is ticking and that they have to act quickly to get in on the action.
- “[X] hours till our [offer] expires”
This subject line imposes an even tighter deadline to ramp up the urgency.
- “Just [X] days left to achieve [goal/task]”
This line refreshes your prospect’s memory to refocus them on achieving their goal.
- “Only [X] [offer] left!”
Prospects realize that the offer has a dwindling supply and that they’d better act now if they don’t want to miss out.
- “Last chance to sign up for [product]”
Use words like “last chance” or “last call” to trigger action.
- “You’re about to miss out: [X] hours left!”
This subject line makes it clear that your prospect is about to miss out on an exciting deal.
Quantified subject lines
If your product or service delivers a specific, quantifiable result, it may be worth mentioning in your subject line.
A concrete claim is more compelling than a vague one—just make sure it isn’t too good to be true.
Remember, numbers written in digits instead of words are typically better at catching reader attention and will save you character space.
- “Permission to bring you [X]% more [result]?”
This bold subject line offers the reader a well-defined benefit at a well-defined quantity.
- “$[X] in the next [X] months?”
This line tempts your prospects to read on by defining the specific financial benefit they could achieve in the given time period.
- “[Increase/Reduce] your [metric] by [%]”
Keywords like “increase” and “reduce” draw your prospect in. From there, you can reel them in even further by identifying a metric and vowing to sway it by a specific quantity.
Referral sales subject lines
Mentioning that you were referred to your prospect by someone they know and trust is a powerful way to draw them into your email.
84% of people trust referrals from people they know more than advertising from a brand.
Subject lines containing the name of the referrer create a common connection between your sales reps and the prospect and ramp up their level of intrigue.
Of course, only use this technique if the referral is genuine!
- “[Referral name]”
When your prospects unexpectedly find a familiar name as a subject line they’ll want to find out why it’s there.
- “[Referral name] helped me find you”
Although it doesn’t strictly imply an endorsement, this line lets your prospect know that you’ve gone to some lengths to find them.
- “[Referral name] suggested we get in touch”
This line implies that some past conversation took place between you and the referrer and that the prospect’s name came up. Now they’ll want to know why!
- “Was [referral name] right?”
Again, this implies that you and the referrer have been talking—and your prospect is going to want to know exactly what they’ve been saying. “Right about what?”
- “[Referral name] thinks you’ll love us too!”
Not only does this name-drop the referrer, but it also implies that they had a great customer experience with you.
- “[Referral name] nominated you to receive [exclusive deal]”
This subject line works if the referrer took part in your referral program. The prospect will be eager to discover what exclusive deal they’ve received—and adding the referer’s name gives your email a stamp of trust.
Follow-up email subject lines
Follow-up emails are important in keeping the sales conversation moving.
Whether you’ve just hopped off a call with your prospect or managed to get your hands on some information they’ve requested, a good sales follow-up email keeps you top of mind and lets you set out some next steps.
- “Our next steps”
This simple subject line shows you’ve put a plan in place that your prospect just has to look over it and give it the go-ahead.
- “Here are those resources I promised”
Don’t leave your prospects hanging. They won’t make any decisions until they’ve got the information they need.
Use a collaboration hub to keep all your latest pricing info and marketing collateral in one place.
- “So, I thought about what you said…”
If your prospect raised a specific concern or objection during your call, this subject line can urge them to continue the conversation. It communicates that you’ve really taken on board what the prospect has said, making them feel valued.
- “Quick update following our conversation”
This subject line shows that you’re very much invested in partnering with your prospect. So much so, that you’re dedicated to keeping them informed and updated every step of the way.
- “Ready to turn your ideas into reality?”
Do you think your prospect is ready to move onto the next stage of conversion? This subject line reminds them that everything you spoke about is possible, prompting them to engage.
- Just checking In—thoughts on our last discussion?”
Not only do you politely express that you value your prospect by checking in with them, but you also spur them to reply by urging them to share their opinions — good or bad.
- “Any questions about [product/service]?”
Again, you remind your prospect of your discussion and, in turn, any questions they might have had that are preventing them from moving forward.
- “Hey, [name]. I’d love your feedback on our meeting earlier”
Inviting feedback from your prospects gives you a chance to tie up any loose ends and can give you a sense of how things went.
- “Before you decide…”
When a big decision is looming, prospects can always use extra information if it helps make the decision easier.
Meeting request sales subject lines
When sending out meeting requests to your prospects, try to make it as easy as possible for them to say yes.
This could mean framing the meeting as an informal chat or limiting the proposed time to a short duration.
- “Hi, [name]. 10 mins this week?”
This presents the appointment as a low-pressure, casual meet-up. It’s easy to say no to an hour-long chat—10 minutes sounds much more doable.
- “Time for a quick check-in?”
This subject line emphasizes the informality of the proposed meeting and leaves it to your prospect to decide how much time it should take.
- “Can you spare a minute for a meeting?”
Again, you’re stressing that you’re only proposing an informal meeting, which shows that you value your prospect’s time.
- “Meeting invite for [day]”
This line specifies a day for the meeting but entices the reader to open the email for more context.
- “Let’s schedule a meeting next week?”
This subject line gives the prospect more control over the date of the meeting while still creating a sense of urgency.
- “Shall we build a plan for [goal] on [date]?”
In this subject line, you’re prioritizing value while still putting a date on the meeting to urge action.
- “Can we set up a time to discuss [topic]?”
For a more casual, non-assumptive approach, asking to exchange ideas about a topic you’re mutually interested in can entice the prospect into opening an email. And, it puts the prospect in control of the date.
- “[Company name] + [Company name]: [Date]”
This subject line is a bit more formal, making it a good one to send to CEOs and other high-level stakeholders.
Learn about the best practices for running a good sales demo.
Re-targeting sales email subject lines
Reconnect with email list subscribers who haven’t engaged with you in a while by sending them an email.
Re-engagement emails nurture quiet subscribers back into the sales cycle by re-introducing them to your products and services. This tactic works on customers who’ve bought from you before, as well as customers who dropped off early in your cycle.
- “Did you miss out on [deal/feature]?”
This subject line re-engages prospects using FOMO. And, for customers who didn’t complete their free trial, it helps them realize features they might have missed the first time around.
- “[Name], how’s [project] going?”
We tend to get so caught up in our day-to-day workflow that we ignore sales-y emails. By simply checking in on the progress of their project, you can bring your brand back into the forefront of their minds. The personalization helps, too.
- “We’ve found your missing puzzle piece”
Use this slightly mysterious email subject line to capture the interest of prospects.
- “Our new and improved features: just what you’ve been waiting for”
This works if you’ve recently updated your products or features. Prospects will be eager to know whether your new and improved solutions meet their needs.
- “Have you solved [challenge] yet?”
Reminding prospects of a challenge they were facing puts it back into the centerfold, encouraging them to re-engage if they still haven’t found a solution.
- “Reconnect with [your company]: exclusive deals just for you”
This common sales email subject line works for a reason. The promise of an exclusive deal or offer can tempt prospects back into the sales cycle.
Social proof sales subject lines
Social proof is the psychological phenomenon that our purchasing decisions are heavily influenced by the opinions and recommendations of others.
It’s a powerful form of marketing and can be used to drive sales. Not only is word-of-mouth the most trusted information source for customers, but it drives the highest research-to-purchase ratio at 55% (for reference, emails research-to-purchase ratio is 30%).
Leveraging social proof in your sales email subject lines can boost trust and credibility, persuading prospects to open your email and see what you’re all about. Just make sure any claims you make are genuine!
- “[Prospect’s competitor] used us to [meet goal]”
Your prospects are dying to know their competitor’s secrets. So, name-dropping a relevant, current customer in your email subject line and communicating how you’ve helped them can immediately entice prospects.
- “[Specific type of companies] save [X money/time] using our solution”
This one is similar to the email subject line above but encompasses a wider range of companies. It’s useful if you want to provide social proof without name-dropping a company specifically.
- “[Customer quote]”
Use a direct quote from a customer as your email subject line to win instant social proof. For example: “‘We increased revenue by 45% in 6 months thanks to [your company]’ — Karl, CEO”.
- “[Name], we’re helping [specific type of business] grow”
If you specialize in, for example, helping small businesses meet their goals, then including this in your email subject line will resonate with prospects, instilling trust in your ability to provide value.
No-response sales subject lines
Sometimes your prospects will suddenly drop off the face of the earth without notice.
When this happens, it’s important to figure out whether to keep the relationship active or to call it a day.
- “[Name]?”
Direct, with a hint of concern and mystery. What message could the email contain? This subject line could work as part of a last-ditch attempt email.
- “Am I right to assume…?”
This question invites a clear-cut answer, giving your prospect the chance to keep things going or to sever ties.
- “RE: [prospect’s last email]”
By presenting your email as a continuation of a previous conversation, your prospect may be more inclined to read it.
- “If you change your mind about partnering with [your company]”
Here, you let the prospect know that you assume they’re no longer interested in you but can reverse the situation whenever they want.
- “Still interested in [benefit]?”
Asking this question reminds the prospect of the benefit that they expressed interest in previously, re-igniting their desire to communicate.
- “Haven’t heard from you — can we chat?”
This polite reminder humanizes you, which can entice the prospect to respond.
- “Did I lose you?”
If communication has tapered off, this genuine, slightly vulnerable subject line can provoke prospects to respond with any concerns or objections they might have, reopening the conversation.
- “I forgot to mention…”
This intriguing subject line drives email opens by suggesting that there’s more to the story.
- “Still unsure? This might change your mind”
If you’ve contacted a prospect once and received no reply, try using this email subject line in your second follow-up. It hints at added value which may prompt the prospect to reconsider.
- “Should I stay or should I go? LMK”
The poetic catchiness of this email line combined with its forwardness makes it an attention-grabbing question that might generate a response.
- “Permission to close your file?”
This is the ultimate breakup email subject line, best used when you’ve contacted a prospect several times and received no response. It gives an air of finality that, potentially, the prospect isn’t ready for. And if they still don’t reply, then the message is clear.
10 Tips for writing effective sales email subject lines
Not got time to read through all our subject line examples? Fear not, we have a quick checklist of tips for you right here that will have you crafting the best sales email subject lines in no time:
- Keep it short and sweet: Aim for subject lines under 50 characters to ensure they’re fully visible on all devices.
- Be clear and direct: Clearly state the purpose of your email so recipients know what to expect.
- Use action-oriented language: Encourage immediate action with verbs like “Discover,” “Get,” “Boost,” or “Join.”
- Personalize when possible: Include the recipient’s name or company to make the email more personalized.
- Create a sense of urgency: Use phrases like “Limited Time Offer” or “Act Now” to prompt quick action.
- Ask a compelling question: Pose a question that addresses a pain point or interest of your target audience.
- Offer value upfront: Highlight a benefit or solution in the subject line, such as “Increase Your Sales by 30%.”
- Avoid spammy words: Steer clear of words like “Free,” “Guaranteed,” and excessive punctuation to avoid spam filters.
- Test and optimize: Use A/B testing to determine which subject lines resonate best with your audience.
- Use numbers and lists: Subject lines with numbers or lists, like “5 Tips for Better Marketing,” tend to attract more attention.
Write great sales email subject lines and get your emails opened every time
What exactly is the best subject line for a sales email? Well, sales email subject lines should always be engaging, capture your prospect’s attention, and pave the way to building a relationship and closing deals.
Use the subject line ideas in this post to see your open rates—and ultimate conversions—soar.Reach out to a RingCentral expert today to learn more about how we can help your sales teams.
FAQs about sales email subject lines
What sales email subject lines get the most opens?
Subject lines that get the most opens are short, clear, and direct—often under 50 characters—to make sure they can be seen on all devices. They use action-oriented language to encourage people to respond and personalize the message with the reader’s name or company.
Creating a sense of urgency with phrases like “Limited Time Offer” or asking a compelling question can also boost open rates. Highlighting a specific benefit or solution and using numbers or lists can make the subject line more appealing. Avoiding spammy words and regularly testing different subject lines for effectiveness is important.
What are the best email subject line keywords to use?
With the help of online research, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best power words to use in your email subject lines. Just remember—good subject lines for sales emails only use power words strategically. So, don’t stuff them in if they’re not relevant.
High-performing email subject line keywords include:
- [First name/Company name]
- Invitation/Invite
- Update
- Upgrade
- Congratulations
- Alert
- Exclusive
- New
- Don’t miss
What are some email subject lines dos and don’ts?
To summarize our points above, we’ve compiled some dos and don’ts for email subject lines. You can quickly refer to this list to craft great email subject lines for sales.
Do:
- Be personal and authentic
- Research the prospect/company
- Use clear and specific language
- Create a sense of urgency and FOMO
- Use power words
- Be concise
- A/B test your emails
Don’t:
- Use spammy keywords
- Be misleading or “clickbaity”
- Use excessive caps or punctuation marks
- Write generic, copy-and-paste subject lines or staid email templates
- Be too sales-y or overly aggressive
- Use special characters
- Overuse emojis
What is the best subject line for a sales email?
While there’s no singular email subject line that’s guaranteed to get you an open rate of 100%, the best sale email subject lines have several things in common. Most importantly, they’re succinct, relevant, action-oriented, urgent, and personalized.
So, if you can meet this criteria—while avoiding some of the don’ts that we mentioned above — you’re bound to come up with some email subject lines that get opened and boost your response rate.
Originally published Aug 09, 2024, updated Sep 23, 2024
