When you’re writing email appeals, the subject and preview text are two key factors to increase your open rate. You want to create a subject line that grabs the reader’s attention and entices her to open the email without being disingenuous. There isn’t a specific template or formula you should use for your subject line, instead you should write something that draws the reader in and captures their attention in the ~3 seconds you have as she scrolls through her emails.
I’ve compiled this list of 100 subject lines for you to get a feel for how other organizations write subject lines and to spark ideas:
- A simple, monthly act that changes lives
- We need you, more than you need us
- DEADLINE: don’t miss this chance to become a Champion
- Are you sitting this out?
- [TRIPLE MATCH ALERT] 3 times the impact for wildlife
- Jeremy, last chance to make your year-end gift!
- Don’t stand by and let this happen to the ocean
- Your kind, compassionate and generous spirit
- re: falling behind
- A Power Couple
- Thank you! We met our goal.
- Still Time to Save $800 on Your Taxes
- LAST chance to triple your impact
- Still Time to Claim Your Tax Credit
- Dirty. Diseased. Deadly.
- Impress your Valentine with a gift that lasts longer than flowers AND changes lives!
- Friend, please donate before midnight!
- The Look of Love
- 2018 Annual Fund campaign: Make a difference
- [tax deadline] 2x the hope for 2018
- Give Hope from the Heart
- Give 100%
- Abused For a Cruel Sport – Blossom’s Story
- We ? snow days
- A New Lease on Life
- Too many moms dying in your state
- FINAL chance: 2017 is ending
- Make a Difference Before 2017 Ends
- Best Bang for the Buck for Birds
- Urgent: Ministry Partners Needed
- Just $25 can save a life. And your gift doubles!
- Time is running out
- Deadline Approaching
- URGENT: Just hours remain
- Jeremy, Still Need a Valentine’s Gift?
- Last Chance to Give a Little Kindness
- [UPDATE] Tax bill
- Don’t miss this opportunity!
- There’s still time!
- Tomorrow is the Final Day to Give a Little Kindness
- You have 48 hours to give this gift:
- 3x Match: We need your response, Jeremy.
- Re: Serena Williams’ story
- Only a few hours remain
- fwd: Protect them from the cold (GIFT MATCH)
- The good news: it only takes a minute to give a student a better future
- Jane Goodall wants you to find your role to play…
- Urgent! Final deadline
- Truth for yesterday, today and tomorrow
- ACT QUICK: Homeless kids need this match
- Beyond the 2017 headlines
- What hunger feels like
- Last chance to make your tax-deductible gift
- Looking Ahead to 2018 and the Future of Immunotherapy
- Time is running out
- Spread hope this holiday season
- Only 72 hours left to change baby George’s life…
- Re: 11:59 PM
- Midnight tonight
- Jeremy, make sure your gift is counted in 2017!
- Match Made! Year End Giving
- Friend, multiply your impact
- Jeremy, Join Us for the Celebration!
- [TRIPLE MATCH]: Babies are counting on you
- Every hour counts
- Adopt-a-Bat for your Valentine TODAY (to get it by February 14)!
- Deadline: Midnight Tomorrow!
- DEADLINE: One day left to double your 2017 year-end gift!
- We’ve got the good news you need from Feb…
- EXPIRING: Your tax deduction & triple gift
- Clinical Trial Gives Survivor Hope
- [MATCH] From New York to Nicaragua
- Give a Little Kindness Before Midnight Tonight
- “FW: URGENT: Just hours remain”
- It’s a New Year – and we’re grateful for you!
- 300 Champions – are you one?
- Give Today. Win the Challenge.
- Start the new year right
- GIFTS TRIPLED: A baby named Jeremy born in your community
- Frankie Muniz has a Message for You!
- Our Pledge To Serve America’s Military Families
- Reporting: Red Cross Blood Shortage In National News
- The Race Is On to *DOUBLE* Your Gift!
- FINAL DAY: Triple your gift for moms and babies
- Urgent deadline. Match increased – all gifts doubled.
- Commit to lasting solutions. (Monthly match ending)
- ONLY 3 Days Left!
- 2 days left to give
- Unacceptable
- Jeremy, multiply your impact
- 2017 is almost over. Make your gift.
- Will you lift your voice in prayer?
- Eugene was ready to give up
- Our world’s one and only hope
- Midnight TONIGHT
- ? Last chance to buy Name a Roach pins, socks, and chocolates!
- Important Deadline Reminder
- Bring warmth to a family in more ways than one – gift a coat or blanket today!
- The last thing you do this year.
- Final opportunity to double your impact!
A great subject line is just one of the elements that will determine your appeal’s success. Want more? Find 100 more subject lines here and Giving Tuesday subject lines. The subject line is a key part of a highly successful email appeal.
