We’ve all been there—staring at a blank subject line box, knowing this tiny handful of words will decide whether your email gets opened or dies in the inbox graveyard.
No pressure, right?
But here’s the thing—crafting the perfect subject line doesn’t have to feel like pulling teeth. With the right brainstorming process, you can consistently come up with subject lines that grab attention, spark curiosity, and get those sweet, sweet opens.
Here’s the easiest way to brainstorm your perfect subject line.
Step 1: Start with the Goal
Before you even think about the subject line, ask yourself:
What do I want people to do when they open this email?
- Are you promoting something? (A new product, course, or affiliate link?)
- Are you providing value? (A freebie, tip, or insider info?)
- Are you building engagement? (Asking a question, sharing a personal story?)
Your subject line should match the goal of your email. If your email is offering a discount, your subject line shouldn’t be vague. If your email is a weekly newsletter, your subject line shouldn’t scream “LAST CHANCE” unless that’s actually true.
📌 Example:
✖ Bad: “Read this email” (um… no?)
✔ Good: “How I Doubled My Instagram Followers in 30 Days” (intriguing + clear benefit!)
Step 2: Brain Dump ALL the Ideas
Now, let’s get messy—it’s time to brainstorm without judgment.
- Write at least 10-15 subject line ideas.
- Don’t overthink—just let the ideas flow.
- Get weird, get creative, write the bad ones too (sometimes they spark better ideas).
This is where you experiment. Try short, punchy ones. Try funny ones. Try question-based ones.
📌 Example Brainstorm:
- Want a closet glow-up?
- Your outfits might be holding you back—let’s fix that!
- How I transformed my skin in just 30 days (without breaking the bank!)
- The #1 mistake ruining your skincare routine
- Want a happier, healthier pet? Try this simple trick!
- Want to see real results? Stop doing this and start doing that!
- The fitness tip no one talks about
- The #1 mistake keeping you from hitting your goals!
At this stage, nothing is off-limits—just get the ideas out.
Step 3: Use Power Words to Make It POP
Not all words are created equal. Some just demand attention.
Power words spark emotion and create urgency, curiosity, or excitement.
✔ Curiosity Words: Secret, Hidden, You Won’t Believe, The Truth About
✔ Urgency Words: Now, Last Chance, Don’t Miss This, Ending Soon
✔ Value-Driven Words: Free, Bonus, Ultimate, Exclusive, Insider
✔ List & Number Words: Top 5, #1, Best, Worst, Quickest
Example Before & After:
✖ Weak: “Tips for Email Marketing” (meh, generic)
✔ Strong: “5 Email Marketing Hacks You Need Right Now” (more specific & action-driven!)
Step 4: Make It Personal & Conversational
People open emails that sound like they’re from a real person, not a robot.
- Use “you” language to make it personal.
- Keep it casual, not corporate.
- Ask a question to engage curiosity.
- Use a bit of personality!
📌 Example:
✖ Too Boring: “Here’s a Newsletter Update” (yawn…)
✔ Better: “You’re Going to Want to Read This…” (teasing, conversational!)
✔ Even Better: “Okay, This Email is Actually Worth Opening” (playful + engaging!)
Step 5: Trim the Fat
Long-winded subject lines get cut off in inboxes—especially on mobile.
Keep it under 50 characters whenever possible.
- Remove unnecessary filler words like “that” or “just.”
- If it sounds too wordy, cut it in half.
📌 Example Before & After:
✖ Too Long: “Here’s a Complete Guide That Will Teach You How to Grow Your Instagram Engagement”
✔ Better: “The Instagram Growth Guide You Need”
Step 6: A/B Test to See What Works
You don’t have to guess what works—test it!
- If you have a large email list, split-test two subject lines.
- Try a question vs. a statement.
- Test urgency vs. curiosity.
- Look at open rates and adjust based on what performs best.
📌 Example:
🅰 “The Secret to More Followers”
🅱 “Are You Making This Instagram Mistake?”
Whichever gets the higher open rate? That’s your winner.
Step 7: Do the “Would I Open This?” Test
Before you send, ask yourself: Would I actually open this email if it landed in MY inbox?
If the answer is “meh”—go back and tweak it.
✔ Make it punchier.
✔ Make it more specific.
✔ Make it more YOU.
The Formula for a Killer Subject Line
✔ Clear & Specific → Don’t be vague. Tell them what they’re getting.
✔ Emotion-Driven → Curiosity, urgency, excitement, humor—pick a lane.
✔ Conversational → Write like a human, not a corporate email bot.
✔ Short & Punchy → Cut the fluff. Get to the point.
✔ Test & Improve → See what works. Use data to get better.
The more you practice brainstorming great subject lines, the easier it gets. Now go write one so good they HAVE to open it!
