Cold Email Subject Line (Examples That Work) 

Before we get started, let’s do a quick review of what cold email is and why it’s vital to the existence of every business. 

If you’re looking for the formal definition of cold email it’s “an unsolicited email that is sent to a receiver without prior contact. It is the email equivalent of cold calling.”

Basically, cold email is a marketing strategy that helps find leads, prospects and ultimately customers and referrals. 

A business needs customers in order to thrive and cold email is the way to find them, nurture them and create a relationship.  

It’s not as easy as it seems, however. 

Your marketing team may have developed the best cold email that has ever been seen. 

But, if your leads and prospects don’t open that email, then all of that time and effort was wasted. 

There is no doubt that we are bombarded with emails every day.  “Roughly 306.4 billion emails were sent and received each day in 2020 and that figure is expected to increase to over 376.4 billion daily emails by 2025.”

At Connect 365, we want to help you cut through the clutter and reach your best prospects.

The way to do that is through your cold email subject line. 

Cold Email Subject Line That Get Responses 

In the world of email marketing, you have less than a second to make a first impression. 

If your cold email subject line is lacking, then your email will be deleted and become part of the trash.  

And, if you haven’t done your homework on cold emails or don’t follow the rules, then your email message is going to the spam wasteland and will never be seen again. 

Don’t blow your chance. Stick with Connect 365 to find out how to create cold email subject lines that work. 

What Makes a Good Cold Email Subject Line?

Here’s a quick list of what you need to do to create an effective and powerful cold email subject line: 

• Get Personal
• Be Brief
• Ask Questions
• Fulfill A Need 
• Name Drop
• Choose Words Wisely 

More About Getting Personal 

Sending cold emails out in mass can seem impersonal especially when readers can tell that they were part of a canned marketing strategy. 

Instead of falling into the {Insert Name Here} strategy get to know something about the prospects you are sending cold emails to. 

What do they have in common?

Are they high level executives, decision makers, or the worker bees that do everything?

Be sure to use their name or company name in the subject line and make them feel like you are speaking directly to them. Not everyone else on that hidden distribution list. 

Here are a few examples: 

• A few tips, Jeff …
• Nice to meet you Jeff …
• It looks we have something in common … 

Be Brief and to the Point 

Not only is society too busy to read long, subject lines, but certain devices will truncate your beautifully crafted words and subject lines. 

Three to four words should do the trick. 

Some favorite brands have made a major impact with only a few simple words. Yet, those words resonate and grab attention. 

Think Different. Just Do It. What’s in Your Wallet? 

Do any of these ring a bell?

These may be taglines and slogans from Apple, Nike and Capital One but they prove that a few simple words can pack a powerful punch. 

You don’t need a lot of fluffy and unnecessary words to make a statement. 

Ask Real Questions

Asking a question is a great way to draw a reader in and get them to open your email. 

Inquiring minds want to know. Asking a burning question grabs attention and serves as an invitation to find the answer.  

Creating value and showing prospects that you have those answers is a sure-fire way to increase open rates and engage your audience. 

Here a few examples to try in your cold email subject lines: 

• How do you Break Through the Clutter?
• Will you Read This Before Your First Cup of Coffee?
• How Do You Reach Prospects? 

Fulfill a Need 

The beauty of personalizing cold email subject lines is that it allows you to stand out from everyone else who is trying to reach the same prospect. 

Your subject line not only needs to break through that clutter, but it needs to show potential leads that you care. An email that can convey a promise of value and shows it can fulfill a need will achieve a higher open rate. 

Here are a few examples:  

• We Can Help ..
• Let Us Show You How …
• Here are 5 Strategies … 

Name Drop  

Use the power of your brand and company image to initiate a connection. 

If this is a lead from a conference or event or if you have a mutual connection, be sure to mention this in your cold email subject line.  

Don’t be afraid to name drop, especially when you’re trying to make that initial contact. 

• George Washington Gave Me Your Contact Information … 
• It Was Nice Meeting You at the Conference … 
• Looks Like We Both Know Gary Vaynerchuk …

Choose Words Wisely 

There’s a careful balance between coming off too salesy and being passive and boring. 

You want to use words that are active and speak to your leads. 

Use words that evoke emotion.

Instead of using words like great or better use legendary and awe-inspiring. 

Words are powerful and have meaning and the right words create action.  

How to Follow Up After the First Cold Email 

The important thing to remember is to follow up.

An unopened email or non-response does not automatically mean no.  

People are busy. A second, third and maybe even a fourth email are sometimes needed to achieve a desired response. 

Don’t let too much time lapse between attempts though because you want to stay top-of-mind. 

Try sending your cold email on a different day or at a different time to see if that makes a difference.

Using the same thread to follow up is the key. It creates that “what did I miss” or “what did I forget feeling” and forces people to throw a second glance your email’s way. And, sometimes that’s all it takes. 

Cold Email Subject Lines Takeaways 

Creating the right mix of cold email subject lines and follow up emails takes a certain finesse. It’s part science, art and psychology and not every company has a dedicated staff to devote to the process. But, it’s an important process and vital to the growth of any business. You need leads, warm and cold prospects and customers to survive. 

Let Connect 365 do the hard part for you. This is what we love to do! We have worked hard to perfect our system, so you don’t have to. We’ve already created all of the templates for you and can help you put everything on autopilot so you can focus on growing your business. 

From email automation to lead management to social media automation, our focus is to help you achieve your goals, build relationships and create lifelong customers. Request an invite and let’s connect today!