Bonus tips

• Combine different types of subject rules. Often you can combine the mentioned tactics. If one tactic gives proven results, why not use 2 or 3?

• Do not make subject rules too long. The rule is that you do not make your subject line longer than 50 characters. I know that is difficult (some examples in this article are well overdue).

Exception on this rule: Communication on a very specific subject with a very specific target group. In that case, longer subject rules, with more information, may work better.

In addition to the subject line

• Readers of your newsletter will first see the sender data.
• Make sure that you use a company name as trusted by the reader, or - if the nature of your newsletter, business or audience allows - a trusted personal name.
• Also look at the sender address: Is your personal address Loes@workathomefuture.com better than a business address info@workathomefuture.com?
• Don't repeat subject lines. If you send 12 times a year a newsletter with very similar subject rules, then it will be bad. Therefore, keep a check on your previous mailings at each newsletter to prevent you from repeating.

Test test test

If your newsletter will be opened is a hard measurable data, so you can test which subject rules work best. Some newsletters provide a test feature, than you do not have to match different mailings, but you can test it in one mailing.

Know your target

Crawl into your target's skin. Try to imagine what your readers are doing and what their challenges are. Perhaps in general, but maybe also in a specific situation or period (Think of a fitness mailing that can be sent shortly after the Christmas holiday period).

This basic idea can be used with almost all examples of subject rules in this article.

What are your experiences?

I hope this article has given you a little thought about the few words you place in the subject line of your email newsletter.

Do you have examples of subject rules that proved their return on your newsletter? I am very curious to hear about this: please let me/us know and leave your comment below.