Remember when, just after you got your first hotmail address, getting an email – any email – felt terribly exciting?
Oh, heady days.
The vast majority of emails I receive won’t get opened. I delete about half without reading.
Ones that have subject lines like PRESS RELEASE or NEW SINGLE BY LONDON BAND or MARSHA WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO CALL ME? I AM YOUR MOTHER FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE, IT IS YOUR DUTY.
Ok, joking about that last one (called her this morning). But you get the gist.
The sad thing is, some of the emails I delete are probably great, and might be a band I do want to listen to, or someone I would like to know about. But if I’m put off by the subject line? No chance.
Big-shots in your industry – as I explain in the video – get THOUSANDS of emails a day. So if you want any chance of getting yours read? It must have a compelling subject line.
In this video, learn how you can write subject lines that will get your emails opened.
Also, SIX DIFFERENT OUTFITS. My very own Golden Globes moment.
(minus any glamour or A-list actors, plus a pair of thick spectacles and some seeds in my teeth)
A good subject line can determine whether
an email gets deleted without being read
or opened straight away
Over To You
What’s the most compelling subject line you’ve seen? Any other thoughts or reactions? I’d love to hear them. Let me know in the comments.
Don’t forget, if you want the full VIP treatment – with more advice like this, guidance that’s tailored to you and your situation and personalized strategies that’ll help you in ALL your networking, click here to find out how, or just to schedule a FREE, no obligation call with me.
If you enjoyed this, and there’s someone else who you think might too – please share it with them, using one of the round buttons below.
Thanks!
You rule,
xx (Yes Yes) Marsha
PS on Thurs Feb 27th, I’m holding a FREE CLASS on how to grab the attention of an industry heavyweight and write them an email they’ll love. Want to know more? Click here!
PPS this week, I told the Yes Yes Marsha Mailer Family about a secret message for them in this video.
PPPS want to know my best-ever client secret – and get even more advice, tips, plus stories that I won’t put on the internet? Come and join the Yes Yes Family – it’s free! Just pop your details in below:
Credits:
Intro/outro music: ‘George Square’, by the amazing David Berkeley: http://www.davidberkeley.com.
Make up artist: Meg Leitold
Everything else: copyright Marsha Shandur 2014
16 Comments
Sarah Jordan
January 16, 2014Marsha, I love the way your hilariously portrayed mystery! You illustrated the point in such a fun way. Thanks for the great advice (and laughs).
Marsha Shandur
January 17, 2014Aw, thanks Sarah, what a lovely thing to say!
I’m hoping you’ll see more of Lady Mystery in the future…
:)
Katie
January 16, 2014This is so true!
I am guilty of even opening messages in my SPAM inbox – just because the subject lines are so curious and mysterious (cue: mysterious Marsha).
When I’m writing subject lines, I like to think of them like titles to a poem: engaging on their own, but make the most sense once you’ve read all the way through the end.
Thanks for your wisdom, Marsha!
Marsha Shandur
January 17, 2014Katie – ME TOO ON THE SPAM!! Next time that happens, I am going to think of Lady Mystery, and you :)
Love the idea of subject lines as the title to a poem, thank you!
Juli
January 16, 2014Marsha,
I love your videos! So smart. And, so much fun. Laughing all the way to my next subject line! In a sea of email, there’s nothing like an uncommon, attention-getting (in a good way) subject line to grab someone’s attention. Your advice is perfect..and I see a little more mystery in my subject line future. Thanks!
Marsha Shandur
January 20, 2014Bless you! I hope the image of Lady Mystery helps you channel her! :)
Cecilia
January 17, 2014Marsha!
I had to laugh at your question because of course YOURS was the most compelling email title in my inbox.
I didn’t think I had emailed any “big shots” but then I remembered that I sent an email to Laura Belgray (she did a presentation at the last RHHLive and she writes the copy for Marie’s videos). She’s hilarious and smart and knows how to use words so I totally fell for her in a bizcrush/comedy way.
We had a little chat in line for the bathroom at the conference where we chatted, I flattered and then I told her she could go in front of me because she’s a VIP.
After the conference I sent her an email with the title “Vee Eye Peeeeeeeeeeee” and then went on to write a very flattering and amusing email.
She replied almost immediately and said “OK, we’ve achieved mutual fandom. How can I not love someone who puts the “pee” in VIP?”.
And here I thought I didn’t have any clever email titles in me. Little did I know I was using the factual/mysterious thing (sort of).
You’re the best, I love how much work you put into your videos. And the voice! Can’t get enough of it.
ox
Cecilia
Marsha Shandur
January 17, 2014Aw, thanks Celia – I have to confess, I was SO nervous about writing the subject line for the mailer for this post – what if it didn’t prove my point?? So that’s very reassuring.
LOVE the Laura Belgray story! Whenever I hear “VIP” now, I’m always going to think of pee. Thanks!
Melissa Burkheimer
January 18, 2014Love this post Marsha! The most interesting scan in my inbox is “Double Dare #2.”
xoxo
Marsha Shandur
January 18, 2014Thanks, Melissa!
I love that – we used to have a game in elementary school called, “Do Dare, Double Dare, Love, Kiss or Hate”, so i TOTALLY would have opened that one!
asurrenderedyear
February 18, 2014In light of your other post I just commented on…
This particular post was really useful. I had already, kinda, sorta, not consistently or all that mindfully did something like this.
After listening to what you had to say here I had the chance to put the info to action for applying to a volunteer blogger position. I did the slash ‘/’ headline and offered up some ideas without being asked. Lo and behold they got back to me requesting a meeting.
What made it extra effective (in this case anyway) is that it gave me something to talk about at our meeting and provided me with a touch of the fake it till you make it confidence I needed just then. Yes, I am now one of the new bloggers for Not Far From The Tree! (http://notfarfromthetree.org/ This was literally last week so my writing isn’t up yet.)
Obviously this tactic won’t work every time BUT when it does we’re already part way to yes AND the simple act puts us in the right mind set for reaching our goals.
Merci beaucoup!
Marsha Shandur
June 18, 2014Coco!!
For some reason, I’ve only just seen this comment! WOAH!!
Congratulations!! I am SO thrilled to hear this!! Thanks so much for letting me know. And WELL BLOODY DONE!!!
Nigel Thomas
March 13, 2014Thank you for this Marsha. I’m just about to embark on sending my new album preview out to potential publishers, this is going to be really helpful I think! I may email you shortly about something related to this (using your tips here, obviously!). Thanks again. Nigel. X
Marsha Shandur
June 18, 2014So glad it’s helpful, Nigel. Good luck!
Jess Nazarali
June 13, 2015Marsha you are hilarious and so clever! I’m using your suggestions right now! xx
Marsha Shandur
June 13, 2015Aw, thanks, Jess! Glad you liked them :)
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