The Subject Line
The subject line should be concise, clear, and meaningful. It should summarize the purpose of the email, but it shouldn’t describe it. You have to give the recipient an overview of what you will discuss in the email, but you can’t type the whole message in the subject line.
Avoid using words such as Help, Important, and Urgent; people usually don’t respond well to those words. Instead of using the words, you can always add Subject Line Hashtags. People are more open to an #urgent at the end of a subject line than starting the subject line with the word Urgent.
Below are examples of bad subject lines and how you can change them into a better, more compelling subject line.
Remember that an effective subject line will grab the audience’s attention, tell them what the topic of the message is, and indicate the purpose of the message.
| Example of a Bad Subject Line | Example of a Good Subject Line |
| Re: Re: Re: let’s talk about change. | Important Project Timeline Acceleration. |
| Meeting | Pass Process Meeting – 10 a.m. February 25, 2022. |
| Send figures for July Sales | July Sales Figures |
| Bring consultant’s report to Friday’s Meeting | Tomorrow’s Meeting |
| Need a budget for marketing report | Marketing Report |
| Revised resurfacing schedule for parking lot | Employee Parking |
| Warehouse remodeling is on schedule | Status Report |
Remember that the subject line is essential because it sets the tone and topic of the email that is to follow.
Possible Subject Line Phrases That You Can Use:
Meetings:
- “Meeting request regarding….”
- “Meeting follow-up needed.”
- “Request for an informal meeting.”
- Please see meeting availability.”
