Email Marketing Subject Lines Test

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8 Different Email Subject Lines – Which One Was Best?

I ran a little test last night while doing some list marketing. The only way to get better and to help others get better is to test things, right? Right. I picked 8 different subject lines for an email blast to see which got opened more…and which let to better click-thru rates with people actually clicking the link inside the email. The most important thing is to get those emails opened..and it can a fine science. So, let’s take a look at my test and my test results.

Background for this email marketing test

Before I dive right in, let me give you some background on what I was doing, why I was doing it, and what my goals were.

These emails were sent out 1 hour before a free webinar was about to begin. I wanted as many people as possible to come to this free webinar because I knew it would answer questions they had about a promotion that is going on this week.

Here are some bullet points:

  • These lists WERE previously told about the upcoming webinar and many had already registered
  • This test was to gauge the effectiveness of subject lines to get people to open and read right away and take action (there was only one hour until the webinar started)
  • I picked 8 different lists and used one unique subject line on each with the same content inside the email body
  • Note: Usually when I do a “blast”, I merge all my lists into one blast to help avoid annoying people by sending multiple emails (a big blast like that works well to avoid sending more than 1 of the same email to the same email address).

    I also set up my lists to help KEEP people from being on more than one of my related lists. For example, if someone signed up for a free preview copy of One Week Marketing and got on that list….and then they end up buying One Week Marketing… I set my rules to take them OFF the “free” list and only have them on the members list. Just another thing I do in attempt to not send multiple emails to the same person.

    I really don’t like to annoy people, but sometimes I have to test things.

    And naturally, when I test things, some people get mad at me. If YOU are one of the people I annoyed last night with my test and webinar 1-hour notice emails, I sincerely apologize. I hope you will forgive me.

    Where Did I Get The Email Subject Lines From?

    I know many people out there do their best to NOT be on other marketers lists, but I am not one of those people. I LOVE watching how other marketers do things – regardless of what niche they are in.

    Some of my best email marketing lessons have come from simply being on multiple lists and WATCHING.

    Have you ever had an email in your inbox that as soon as you saw the subject line, you couldn’t wait to open it? Ever ask yourself WHY? On the same token, ever get an email, see the subject, and click delete without even thinking about it? (and I’m sure you don’t click the “spam” button if you DID opt-in to receive email from that person, right? It’s not “spam” if you consented to receive it).

    Watching your own reaction to email and subject lines and email body content can give you some of the best lessons of all. Think about that next time you visit your inbox.

    I also went to trusty Google and searched for email subject lines and email marketing subject line tests. I got a lot of good ideas to try from that, too.

    The Email Subject Lines I Tested

    Alrighty, with all that out of the way, let’s take a look at the 8 different email subject lines I tested last night.



    As you can see, I tested all kinds of stuff.

    Take a good look at them. Which subject line do you think got the best open percentage?

    Just a little extra info for those that are new to email marketing and list building…

    Open Rate means – based on the number of emails sent, what percent actually OPENED the email.

    Click Thru % means – based on the number of emails that were opened, what percent actually clicked a link IN the email.

    Email Subject Line Test Results

    Go ahead and tell me which subject line YOU think won this test.

    You can just say the number next to the subject line – you don’t have to type it all out if you don’t want to.

    I was pretty surprised myself.

    Ok – cast your vote!

    I am going to reveal the test results tomorrow.

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