200 Catchy Email Subject Lines (And How to Make Them!)

Your email subject line is the most important part of your email. In fact, Hubspot^{1https://blog.hubspot.com/sales/subject-line-stats-open-rates-slideshare} reports that 35% of email recipients open an email based on the subject line alone.

This article will help you learn what goes into creating an email subject line that people want to click. Plus, you’ll get 200 actual email subject line examples you can use.

Let’s dive in.

What is An Email Subject Line? (Definition)

An email subject line or headline is the first line of text someone reads when they receive your email. This is the line of text you’ll usually type to grab the attention of your email recipient.

Email subject lines are crucial—they are the first impression. You might write the best email in the world, but if your subject line stinks, then nobody will read it. 

A fair bit of psychology goes into writing a captivating email subject line. Let’s go into the key do’s and don’t’s. 

Email Subject Line Do’s and Don’t’s

Do make sure to follow these best practices!

• Do Be Clear and Concise: Make the subject line clear, brief, and relevant.
• Do Use an Emoji: Emojis create a personalized flair. But if you use too many, it’ll be in the spam folder.
• Do Personalize: Write the recipient’s first name to boost the open rate^{2https://mailchimp.com/resources/catchy-email-subject-lines/}. 
• Do Use Emotion-Driven Words. Evocative words will create feelings. Feelings will make clicks.
• Do Leverage Curiosity: Hint at something intriguing without giving it away. Curiosity is a powerful force.
• Do Test and Optimize: Try A/B testing for different subject lines to determine which tactic resonates best with your audience.
• Send at the Right Time: 11:00 am EST has the highest open rate^{3https://blog.hubspot.com/sales/best-time-send-email-report-2015?=&_ga=2.141218610.1693432634.1531769354-1791073514.1499368195} for email sends (and Tuesday is the best day to send).
• Do Emphasize Timing. Subject lines that include dates or a sense of urgency tend to perform better. In a study by Return Path^{4https://returnpath.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/RP-Subject-Line-Report-FINAL.pdf}, 9 million subject lines were sent out and analyzed. It turns out that certain urgent phrases and words work better than others:

Top keywords in urgent subject lines	Average read rate for subject lines containing this keyword
Still time	33.73%
Limited time	14.93%
Expiring	16.60%
Last chance	16.71%
Now	15.75%
Expire	16.69%
Hurry	19.01%
Extended	9.20%
Running out	9.92%

But don’t abuse their fear of missing out, or you’ll come off as spammy and stressful.

Also, be careful of these “don’t’s:”

• Don’t Write Misleading Content: If you make a clickbait subject that doesn’t match the email content, your trust will go down the toilet.
• Don’t Use Spammy Language: Avoid overused sales language and excessive punctuation or all caps, which can trigger spam filters. You probably wouldn’t open an email with the subject: “🔥🎉🚀 HURRY!!! Your EXCLUSIVE Deal Awaits! 🌟💰💸 Open NOW for FREE MONEY! 🎁🎁🎁”
• Don’t Write Overly Long Subject Lines: Long subject lines often get cut off, especially on mobile devices.
• Don’t Ask For Things: Mailchimp^{2https://mailchimp.com/resources/catchy-email-subject-lines/} analyzed thousands of words related to donations and found that words such as “helping,” “fundraising,” “charity,” and “donate” all lead to negative effects on open rates. Instead, you might want to save the asking (if any) for later.
• Don’t Include Typos: A typo in the subject line screams unprofessional and unprepared.

Now, let’s get into some sample subject lines that you can use for your emails!

Catchy Email Subject Lines

Here are some really good subject lines that work for almost all occasions–just make sure they are true! Don’t use that subject line if you do not have an important announcement.

1. “I have an important announcement.” Mailchimp^{2https://mailchimp.com/resources/catchy-email-subject-lines/} found that “announcement” (and similar words) caused a higher open rate. People want to be in the know!
2. “Question for you” This email subject line invites the receiver to open your email and help you. It also works because of the Benjamin Franklin Effect—when someone does a favor for you, they end up liking you more!
3. “Hey there, [name], check this out.”
4. “Your Sneak Peek Inside the Future of [whatever your industry is]“
5. “🌟 Exclusive Offer Just for You – Ends Tonight!”
6. “Can You Believe This Happened?”
7. “Unlock the Secrets to Effortless Productivity”
8. “You’ve Never Seen Deals Like These 🚀”
9. “🎉 Surprise Inside: A Gift Just for You!”
10. “This One Mistake Could Cost You (And How to Avoid It)”
11. “Flash Sale Alert: 50% Off Your Favorites!”
12. “This Week’s Top 10 Must-Reads for You”

If you’d like to boost the content of your email as well, check out our video below for 7 tips to improve your emails.

Best Email Subject Lines for Sales

Sales are tricky because you want to balance relatability and selling perfectly. You also don’t want to mislead, which is EXTREMELY easy in sales emails.

GovX uses an email subject line that hints toward a “free” knife… but it’s just a discount. Bummer!

Many people who report emails as spam send those reports based on the subject line alone. Here are great examples to nail your sales subject line for your email campaign:

13. “You Have Two Choices.” Everyone loves to play games, and everyone likes to have options. This is a great subject line for sales, as choices influence people to take action.
14. “Why You Can’t [insert problem here]” Why you can’t lose weight. Why you can’t sleep at night? Why you can’t feel happy at work? Find a common problem and offer reasons (hopefully your solution!).
15. “Psst… Here’s a freebie.” People love the word “free,” but did you know the word “freebie” works even better^{2https://mailchimp.com/resources/catchy-email-subject-lines/}? Add this to your email, but please make sure to make the freebie worth it (or risk getting unsubs!).
16. “So. Many. Deals… Find Something AMAZING Now 💸”  
17. “You’re a Perfect Fit For [insert opportunity here].”  
18. “Save up to $10/month for life”  
19. “Hey, you forgot this—here’s your 20% off!” 
20. “Get a [adjective] $20 off your next order.”  
21. “Ready for a Game-Changer?”
22. “Limited Time Offer: 30% Off Your Next Purchase!”
23. “Solve [Problem] with This One Simple Tool”
24. “Last Chance: Don’t Miss Out on This Deal!”
25. “How to Achieve [Desired Outcome]”
26. “Exclusive Offer: Buy One, Get One Free Today Only!”
27. “Join the Revolution: Be the First to Experience [Product/Service]”
28. “Flash Sale: Prices Slashed for 24 Hours Only!”
29. “See Why [Product/Service] is a Customer Favorite”
30. “Don’t just take our word for it.” 

Newsletter Subject Lines

Are you sending out a weekly/biweekly newsletter to your subscribers? Here are some great email subject lines to share in a blog post or an email marketing campaign.

31.  “Fake Friends” Vanessa Van Edwards, the founder of Science of People, used this subject line in one of their newsletters, and it was a HIT! It’s short and gets the reader wondering, What are you talking about? Try combining a short subject line with an interesting/lesser-known topic.
32. “One simple way to make yourself happier.” Ramit Sethi uses this fabulous newsletter subject line, which works because it provides value! Find a problem and offer a solution.

33. “3 crazy theories that [interesting thing here].” Mark Manson grabs the reader’s attention in this email’s subject line by being super intriguing. Who doesn’t want to read up on something almost too crazy to believe?

34. “You’re Invited!”  
35. “Learn how to [skill here].”  
36. “Studies show only 10% of people can…” 
37. “Free Resources to Help You X”  
38. “Want to play a game?” 
39. “[Recipient’s Name], Catch the Latest in [Industry/Interest]!”
40. “[Recipient’s Name], Be the First to Know What’s Happening!”
41. “Your Customized [Month] Guide is Here, [Recipient’s Name]!”
42. “Last Call to Get Your Questions Answered”
43. “What’s Behind the [problem the reader is facing].” EG “What’s Behind the Scarcity Mindset?”
44. “This ‘secret’ could [results reader wants].”
45. “[Recipient’s Name], Open This Email ASAP”
46. “[Recipient’s Name], I just noticed…”
47. “My biggest regret?”
48. “Here’s the hard truth…”
49. “The secret that [successful people in this industry] won’t tell you…but we will!”
50. “No one will teach you this…”

Welcome Email Subject Lines

When someone joins your email list, it’s a cause for celebration! It’s also an essential moment in your relationship with them. This is the chance to welcome them into your audience, to show them care, and to give them an impression of your brand.

51. “🌟 Welcome Aboard! Discover What You’ve Been Missing!”
52. “You’re In! See What’s Inside Your Welcome Kit”
53. “🔓 Unlocked: Your Access to Exclusive Insights”
54. “Welcome to the Inner Circle – Your Journey Begins”
55. “🎉 You Made It! Start Your Adventure with This…”
56. “Get Ready to Transform Your [Interest/Field] Game!”
57. “🎁 Surprise Inside: A Special Welcome Gift for You!”
58. “👀 Sneak Peek: What Only Members Can See!”
59. “You’re Part of the Family Now – See What’s Next”
60. “🌈 Welcome! Your Journey to [Goal] Starts Here”
61. “🌟 A Warm Welcome & Your First Insider Tip!”
62. “🔥 Hot Off the Press: Your First Member-Only Content!”
63. “Welcome to the Club – Your Exclusive Perks Inside”

Email Subject Lines to Promote Your Free Content

You wrote an ebook or created a free course to promote to your audience. Here are some tips to share your content with your audience in a way that encourages them to open the email.

64. “Everyone thinks I’m crazy for giving this away…”
65. “I’m giving you this for FREE”
66. “Special invitation for [Recipient’s Name]”
67. “🎁 Just for You: A Free Guide to Transform [Topic/Skill]”
68. “Unlock Your Exclusive Freebie: Master [Topic] Today”
69. “📚 Free Download: The Ultimate Guide to [Topic]”
70. “Claim Your Free [Content Type] – Uplevel Your [Skill]”
71. “Exclusive Offer: A Free [Content Type] Just for Our Subscribers!”
72. “🔥 Hot Off the Press: Grab Your Free [Content Type] on [Topic]!”
73. “📈 Boost Your [Skill/Topic] with This Free [Content Type]”
74. “🌈 Discover the Secrets of [Topic] with Your Free [Content Type]”
75. “🎯 Hit Your Goals Faster with This Free [Content Type]”
76. “🤓 Geek Out on [Topic] with Your Free [Content Type]”

Follow-up Email Subject Lines

Here are some subject lines for follow-up emails when you want to check in on someone.

Whether they attended your webinar, downloaded your course, or the ball is in their court on a pricing estimate you sent them.

For Webinar or Workshop Attendees

77. “🌟 Thanks for Joining Our Webinar – Here’s What’s Next!”
78. “Missed Details from [Webinar Topic]? Let’s Recap!”
79. “I’d love to know your thoughts on [Webinar]?”
80. “Keep the Momentum Going Post-Webinar on [Topic]”

For Course Downloaders

81. “📘 How’s Your Journey with [Course Name] Going?”
82. “Unlock the Full Potential of [Course Name] – Tips Inside!”
83. “Are you feeling stuck with [Course Name]? Try this”
84. “Need Help with [Course Name]? We’re Here for You!”
85. “🚀 Take Your [Course Topic] Skills to the Next Level!”

Post Pricing Estimate

86. “📊 Any Thoughts on Our Pricing Proposal for [Service/Product]?”
87. “Checking in on the [Service] estimate.”
88. “Following up since our last chat?”
89. “Is there anything else you need?”

Cold Email Subject Lines

A cold email is sent to someone you may not know for marketing, networking, sales, or other outreach promotion. Generally, cold emails aim to increase conversion rates (a.k.a. the number of sales, clients, or customers).

And since the average professional receives^{5https://www.radicati.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Email-Statistics-Report-2015-2019-Executive-Summary.pdf} about 121 emails daily, yours must stand out to get noticed. Here are some winning options for cold emails.

90. Hope you’re doing well, [insert name here].” Writing like you’d be speaking to a friend is a personalized and informal way to grab attention. This subject line is great and looks like a text from a friend you haven’t spoken to.
91. “I loved your article on [topic here].” I love it when people send me comments on my articles. And when I can tell they’ve read them and appreciate my tips? That gets them ahead of the game. A little appreciation goes a long way to getting attention!
92. “You’ll love this article on [topic here]!” Along with liking a writer’s article, another eye-grabbing subject line offers another article with mega value. Can’t find a great article? Head over to our blog—we’ve got loads of topics packed with amazing info!
93. “Are we still good for 2 pm today?” 
94. “Can I help you with [problem here]?”
95. “Hey [name], I’m looking forward to seeing you at [place]!” A 
96. “Your Expertise is Requested!” 
97. “You have this in common with [celebrity here].”  
98. “Ideas for Improving [Aspect of Recipient’s Business]”
99. “[Mutual Connection] Recommended I Get in Touch”
100. “Saw Your Work on [Project/Platform], and I Have a Proposal”
101. “A [Benefit] for [Recipient’s Company]”
102. “Is [Common Pain Point] a Challenge for You?”
103. “Sharing a Quick Tip for [Relevant Topic]”
104. “Unlocking Potential with [Your Product/Service]”
105. “Congrats on [Recipient’s Company’s Recent Milestone/News]!”
106. “A few thoughts on [Recipient’s Company’s Recent Milestone/News]”
107. “Inspired by Your Article on [Topic] – A New Perspective”
108. “[Recipient’s Name], Your Thoughts on [Industry Trend]?”
109. “Loved Your Post on [Platform] – Here’s an Idea for You”
110. “Your Work with [Company/Project] Caught My Eye!”
111. “Connecting Over Shared Interest in [Topic/Industry]”

Remember, cold emails might be complex at first, but sending the right subject line can make all the difference.

Email Subject Lines for an Upcoming Event

Are you hosting a workshop, webinar, or community gathering?

Try one of the following subject lines to ensure that as many people show up as possible.

112. “🚀 You’re Invited: Unlock the Secrets of [Event Topic]!”
113. “Join Us for a Surprising Twist on [Event Topic]!”
114. “🎉 Exclusive Invite: [Event Name] – Reserve Your Spot”
115. “Be Part of Something Special”
116. “🌟 A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience: Don’t Miss [Event Name]!”
117. “Discover the Future of [Topic]”
118. “🎤 Hear from the Experts on [Topic]!”
119. “Transform Your [Skill/Interest] at [Event Name]!”
120. “🌐 Connect with Like-Minded [Audience Type]”
121. “An Invitation to Explore [Topic] Like Never Before”
122. “🎓 Learn from the Best: Exclusive Webinar on [Topic]!”
123. “Unlock Your Potential at [Event Name]!”
124. “Dive Deep into [Topic]”

Thank You Email Subject Line

Studies show^{6https://www.researchgate.net/publication/276486329_Letters_of_Gratitude_Improving_Well-Being_through_Expressive_Writing} that expressing our thanks to people makes us happier. And it also feels good to receive appreciation!

If someone purchased your product, signed up for your newsletter, downloaded your ebook, or attended your course, why not show some love to them?

125. “🌟 A Heartfelt Thanks for Joining Our Community!”
126. “You Made Our Day! Thanks for Your Purchase ✨”
127. “Grateful for You: A Special Thanks from [Your Brand/Name]!”
128. “💌 A Little Note of Big Thanks to You!”
129. “You’re Awesome! Thanks for Subscribing ✨”
130. “Thanks a Million for Choosing [Your Product/Service]!”
131. “Because of You, We’re Growing – Thank You!”
132. “🤗 A Warm Thank You from the [Your Brand/Team] Family!”
133. “Your Contribution Matters – A Big Thank You!”
134. “Your Presence is Valued – Thank You for Attending”
135. “A sincere thank you 🙏🏻”
136. “Payment received. Thank you so much!”

Networking Email Subject Lines

Nowadays, a lot of networking happens online. Or perhaps you’ve met someone at an event and want to play catch-up. Here are the perfect lines to say if you’re looking to network:

137. “Are you coming?” Do you have a networking event coming up? Invite them over in your email by asking them a question directly!
138. “You are not alone.” People who network want to connect. Let them know there are people out there searching for others, too!
139. “Did I lose you?” Are you reaching out to someone you haven’t contacted in a while? This subject line grabs attention immediately.
140. “I finally found you!”  
141. “So happy to finally meet you!”  
142. “I loved meeting you at [place]. I’d love to reconnect!”  
143. “Can I introduce you to [person’s name]?”  
144. “I loved our conversation about [topic here]!”  
145. “It was awesome to meet you”
146. “Wanted to follow up”
147. “Hey! I’d love to connect :-)”
148. “That was super fun!”
149. “🤝 Continuing Our Great Conversation from [Event Name]”
150. “Hey [Name], Loved Your Thoughts on [Topic]”
151. “Can’t stop thinking about our talk on [Topic].”
152. “I’d love to continue over coffee/lunch.”
153. “[Name], Your Insight on [Topic] Was Spot On!”
154. “It Was Great Meeting You, [Name] – Fancy a Follow-Up Chat?”
155. “Revisiting Our Conversation – I Had an Idea!”
156. “Hey [Name], How Have You Been Since [Event/Location]?”
157. “🍵 [Name], Up for a Coffee and a Casual Chat?”
158. “From Our Last Talk, I’ve Been Thinking…”

Nobody said networking was easy! Here are 24 tips to help you become an expert networker. And if you’ve networked enough and want to land an excellent job, read on!

Email Subject Lines for Jobs

Are you going on a job hunt? Once you’ve prepared your resume, decked out your LinkedIn, and perfected your elevator pitch, it’s time to move on to the email.

Sending out emails to companies you’re looking to get hired at can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! Here are my favorite lines that work more often than not:

159. “CV for [job position] — available immediately.” Try being direct and putting as much info as possible upfront. This one shows you’re ready and organized.
160. “[Job Position] — [Name]” This is a variation of the above. Use this one if you don’t have a specific time you’ll be available or a CV ready yet.
161. “Looking to help.” 
162. “Following up on…” 
163. “Referred by [friend] — [name]”  
164. “[Your credentials] with over X years of experience.”  
165. “Thank you — [job position].”  
166. “URGENT: Need by EOD” 
167. “Eager to Bring [Unique Skill] to [Company’s Name] Team!”
168. “Aspiring [Job Title] Passionate About [Company’s Industry/Value]”
169. “Excited About the Opportunity to Join [Company’s Name]!”
170. “Driven [Your Profession] Ready to Make an Impact at [Company’s Name]”
171. “Enthusiastic [Your Role] Excited About [Company’s Name] ‘s Vision”

If you want to upgrade your career, you might enjoy this free training.

Holiday Email Subject Lines

Holidays are a great time, especially if you’re in sales. Check these out if you’re a marketer or want to build up your customer base:

172. “💥 Holiday Special” According to Omnisend^{7https://www.omnisend.com/blog/holiday-email-subject-lines/}, this was the #1 email subject line that got the most opens. It’s simple and effective.
173. “5 Thanksgiving Facts to Know” There are a lot of interesting facts about Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and other holidays.
174. “Happy Birthday [name here]—Here’s a Gift!” Combine a birthday and a gift, and you’ve got a one-two combo for an excellent email. Don’t forget to include a decent gift, though, or the receiver might feel like they’ve wasted their time.
175. “Happy Holidays from [company/individual name]”  
176. “HO HO NO!!! Last Day For [Benefit Here]!” 
177. “[Holiday] Guide: Everything You Need to Know”  
178. “Happy Holidays From [name]!”  
179. “The FIRST Thing to Do After [holiday].”  
180. “🎄 Unwrap Your Early Holiday Surprise Inside!”
181. “Guess What’s Coming This Holiday Season… 🌟”
182. “🎁 Secret Holiday Deals Just for You!”
183. “Sneak Peek: Our Magical Holiday Collection!”
184. “🎅 Shh… Santa’s Got a Special Message for You!”
185. “Your Guide to a Stress-Free Holiday is Here”
186. “The Holiday Gift You Didn’t Know You Needed”
187. “🌟 Holiday Wishes and Dreamy Deals Inside”

Whatever line you choose, keep it positive and uplifting to stay in good holiday spirits.

Funny Subject Lines

Science shows that humor is one of the best ways to connect with people. If you’re looking to add humor to your emails, try one of these funny lines:

188. “Since we can’t all win the lottery…” Include something in the body email: “We might not all be lucky, but at least we can [achievable goal here].”
189. “It’s time to unleash your inner [noun].” This is a fun one if you want to show a little personality. Great to use for holidays (replace a noun with “Santa”), business meetings (replace with “Mark Cuban”), or even friendly get-togethers (replace with “Unicorn”).

190. “Shh… This is for you only.”  
191. “Why did the chicken cross the road?”  
192. “May the Fourth be with you” 
193. “Re:re:re: let’s chat?” 
194. “Ugh, not another email!”  
195. “Subject Line”  
196. “How Many [Your Brand] Employees Does It Take to Write an Email?”
197. “👽 Spoiler Alert: We Come in Peace and Bring Discounts!”
198. “This Email is Gluten-Free, Vegan, and Surprisingly Funny!”
199. “Warning: This Email Will Make You Laugh Out Loud 🤣”
200. “🎉 Party in Your Inbox: No RSVP Needed!”

And if you’re itching to improve your humor, why not check out one of our humorous articles? Or check out the video below to find your type of laugh!

• Laughter Lunch: 10 Videos to Make You Laugh
• How to Be Funny: 7 Easy Steps to Improve Your Humor

FAQs About Email Subject Lines

Takeaways About Email Subject Lines

Best of luck writing your email subject lines! If you just remember these tips, you’ll be in great shape:

• Be Clear and Concise 
• Use an Emoji
• Use Emotion-Driven Word
• Leverage Curiosity
• Send at 11 am EST on a weekday
• Don’t write clickbait
• Don’t use spam language
• Spellcheck

On the topic of email, it’s also worth considering what phrase to use for your signoff. If you’d like to dive more into the topic, check out this article.

Warmly,

Mike