Are you on the hunt for your first job out of college? Or a seasoned professional looking to expand your network? Either way, cold emailing can be a powerful tool for you.
But, let’s face it, getting your cold email read and responded to is tough. So, how can you stand out in a crowded inbox? The answer lies in your email subject line.
Yes, that’s right! The subject line of your cold email is like a handshake – it’s your first impression. It decides whether your email is opened or overlooked. That’s why knowing how to craft the best cold email subject lines is a must-have skill for everyone.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to create winning email subjects for cold emails. Also, we’ll share tips and examples that’ll help your emails catch the recipient’s eye and prompt a response. Ready to up your cold email game? Let’s start!
What’s a cold email?
Before we dive into effective subject lines for cold emails, let’s first understand what a cold email is. A cold email is a message you send to someone you don’t know, like a potential employer or professional contact. It is a way to introduce yourself and share your interests or goals, like finding a job. You can also ask to talk more, even if you haven’t met the person before.
Cold emails are useful for many purposes, and job hunting is just one of them. Using these emails, you can reach out to employers, ask about job opportunities, or get career guidance.
What Makes a Good Cold Email Subject Line?
Most cold emails sent out actually don’t get opened at all! In fact, only about 20-40% of the best ones are opened. Before heading in to understand what good cold email subject lines look like, let’s make one thing clear. What do bad cold email subject lines look like?
- Clickbaits that make outrageous claims (I will transform your company in 30 days)
- Vague and unclear topics (Seeking a Job in your company)
- Too long and dull (Applying for the role of XYZ at ABC Ltd. Please Open)
Thus, creating the best cold email subject lines isn’t just about being catchy. It’s about striking the right balance between professionalism, personalization, and purpose. Here’s what you need to keep in mind while writing the subject for your cold email:
Keep it Short and Sweet
Long subject lines often get cut off, especially on mobile devices. Aim for a good subject line that’s around 60 characters or less. It helps your recipient quickly see the subject line, increasing the chances of them opening your email. How to do it? Use concise language. Be clear about your intent but avoid unnecessary details.
For example, instead of “I am a computer science student looking for an internship opportunity,” you could say “Comp Science Student Seeking Internship.”
Personalize Your Email Subject for Cold Email
A personalized email subject line stands out in an inbox full of generic emails. If you can, include the recipient’s name or the company name in the subject line. This not only grabs attention but also shows that the email isn’t spam or mass-sent.
How to do it? Simple. Use their name, or reference their company or role.
For example, “Marketing Internship Inquiry, [Recipient’s Name]” or “[Your Name]’s Application for [Company Name] Internship.”
Be Clear and Specific in Your Cold Email Subject Line
Your subject line should give the recipient a clear idea of what your email is about. Vague or misleading subject lines can frustrate recipients and lead to your email being ignored. How to do it? State your purpose directly. If you’re inquiring about an internship, say so.
For example, “Inquiry: Summer Internship at [Company Name].”
Create a Sense of Intrigue With Email Subject for Cold Email
While your subject line should be clear, it should also pique the recipient’s curiosity. An intriguing subject line encourages the recipient to open the email to find out more. How to do it? Ask a question or make a bold statement.
For example, “Can I Increase [Company Name]’s Social Media Engagement?”
How to Craft the Best Cold Email Subject Lines for Jobs?
Now that you understand what makes a good cold email subject line let’s dive into some practical tips that can help you craft your own:
Put Yourself in the Recipient’s Shoes
Think about the person you’re emailing. What kind of subject lines would catch their attention? What kind of emails do they probably receive regularly, and how can you stand out? Considering these questions can help you create a subject line that resonates with the recipient.
Test Different Approaches to Cold Email Subject Lines
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to crafting the perfect subject line. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles, tones, and formats to see what works best. For instance, you can try a question format, a statement format, or even a surprising fact related to the company or industry.
Use Action Verbs in Cold Email Resume Subject Line
Include action verbs to make your subject line compelling and convey a sense of urgency or excitement. Instead of saying “Looking for a marketing internship,” you can aay “Eager to excel in a marketing internship.” It will help you start with an active tone of voice.
Avoid Spam Triggers in Your Email Subject for Cold Email
Certain words and symbols can make your email look like spam, causing it to land in the recipient’s spam folder instead of their inbox. That’s why you should avoid using all caps, multiple exclamation points, or words like “free,” “buy now,” “urgent,” etc. Moreover, using such techniques will tarnish your reputation with the employer.
36 Examples of Best Cold Email Subject Lines
Now that we know what goodness looks like let’s explore some examples of effective cold email subject lines that can boost your open rates. Try to search how the tips discussed above are applied in these examples and create your own.
Ask Questions in Cold Email Subject Lines
Asking a question in your subject line engages your recipient immediately. It provokes thought and encourages a response. It also adds an element of conversation to your email, making it feel more like a dialogue and less like a monologue.
Include the Recipient’s Name
Personalization boosts your email’s open rates like nothing else. Add the recipient’s name to the subject line of your email to make it more noticeable in their inbox. Plus, it adds a personal touch to the message.
Address Pain Points in the Email Subject for Cold Email
Understanding and addressing a challenge or pain point the company or the recipient is facing will make your email more compelling. It shows that you are aware of their needs and signals that you have something valuable to offer.
The Best Cold Email Subject Lines Create FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
Who wants to miss out on the best? Definitely not the hiring managers who are looking for the best talent in the market. Creating a sense of urgency or exclusivity encourages the recipient to open and respond to your email promptly. This psychological trigger can make your proposition more appealing. But, make sure that you are not going into the territory of clickbait.
They also Generate Curiosity!
An intriguing or surprising subject line piques the recipient’s curiosity and encourage them to open your email. It’s a great way to stand out from the usual email subjects they might receive.
Use Social Proof in Cold Email Resume Subject Line
Social proof, like a recommendation, a certification, an award, or a previous role at a well-known company, adds credibility to your application. It shows the recipient that your skills or abilities have been acknowledged by others.
Provide Value in the Cold Email
Communicating the value you offer in your subject line can make your email more compelling. It can be a solution to a problem, a unique skill set, or a fresh perspective – it should fill a gap that matters to the team.
The Best Cold Email Subject Lines Have a Call-to-Action (CTA)
Including a call-to-action in your subject line prompts the recipient to open the email and take the desired action. It creates a sense of activity all around and encourages the recipient to engage with your email.
Include Numbers in Cold Email Subject Lines
Numbers are a great way to catch the eye and provide concrete details. They make your email stand out and appear more credible and specific.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Cold Email Subject Lines
Crafting the best cold email subject lines isn’t just about knowing what to do—it’s also about understanding what not to do. Here are some common mistakes you should avoid:
Don’t Be Too Generic
Generic subject lines like “Seeking Internship Opportunities” or “Job Inquiry” are less likely to stand out in an inbox full of emails as there are already so many of them. Make your subject lines specific and personalized to catch the recipient’s attention.
Don’t Oversell What You Can Offer
While highlighting your qualifications is important, avoid making exaggerated claims in your subject line. Be honest and authentic to build trust with your recipient.
Don’t Use All Caps or Excessive Punctuation
Your email might look like spam if you are using all caps or too many exclamation points. Keep your subject line professional and straightforward.
Making It Too Long
Long subject lines get cut off, especially on mobile devices. Aim to keep your subject line under 60 characters so it’s easily readable at a glance.
Avoiding these mistakes can increase your chances of your cold email being opened and read.
Ready, Set, Email!
Crafting the best cold email subject lines is more of an art than a science. You need a good understanding of your recipient, a clear message, and a dash of creativity to sprinkle on top. But with the tips and examples shared in this blog, you’re well on your way to mastering this art.
Remember, the perfect subject line is just the first step. The content of your email also needs to be compelling and valuable. And don’t forget to follow up!
At Advanced Baba, we understand that cold emailing can be challenging. That’s why we offer personalized guidance on crafting effective cold emails, from subject lines to sign-offs.
Now, it’s time for you to craft those compelling cold email subject lines and land that dream job or internship. You’ve got this!