Email Subject Line Tips for Small Business Owners

Email Marketing

Jun 27

Crafting the perfect subject line is one of the most important parts of your email marketing strategy. It’s the first thing your subscribers see and it determines whether they open your email or scroll past it.

For small business owners, getting subject lines right can drive higher open rates, better engagement, and more sales.

Let’s dive into actionable tips for creating subject lines that work.

Why Subject Lines Matter

The average person gets bombarded with emails every day, and competition for their attention is fierce. Your subject line determines whether your email gets opened or ignored. And, it’s an integral part of your email marketing strategy for your small business.

A great subject line can:

Drive Opens: Grab attention and pique curiosity.
Establish Credibility: Show your audience you offer value, not spam.
Increase Sales: Guide readers toward clicking links, signing up, or making purchases.

How to Write Subject Lines That Get Results

1. Keep It Short and Impactful

Most people check emails on their phones, where long subject lines get cut off. Aim for under 50 characters and get straight to the point.

Examples:

"Flash Sale: 20% Off Today Only"
"Refresh Your Wardrobe with These New Arrivals"
"Start Your Wellness Journey Today—Special Pricing Inside"

2. Highlight the Value

Your audience wants to know what’s in it for them. Make your subject line crystal clear about the benefits they’ll get by opening the email.

Examples:

"Want Cleaner Skin? Try This Free Sample Kit"
“Your Free Guide to Planning the Perfect Event"
"Discover How We’re Transforming [Your Niche]"

3. Personalize Whenever Possible

Emails that feel personal are more likely to get opened. Add the recipient’s name or tailor the subject line to their interests.

Examples:

"[First Name], Your Step-by-Step Dinner Plan"
"We Found Something You’ll Love, [First Name]"

4. Use Numbers and Lists

People love quick, digestible content, and numbers make your subject line stand out.

Examples:

"5 Tips to Plan the Perfect Event"
"Top 10 Style Trends for 2025"

5. Create Urgency

FOMO (fear of missing out) works! Use urgency to encourage readers to act quickly.

Examples:

"Last Chance: Offer Ends Tonight!"
"Don’t Miss This Exclusive Event"

6. Test for Effectiveness

Once you’ve written a subject line, it’s important to test its potential before sending your email. Here are some tools that can help:

CoSchedule Headline Analyzer: This free tool scores your subject line on clarity, word balance, and emotional impact.
Send Check It: Focuses on email-specific metrics, such as word count and spam triggers, helping you optimize for better results.
SubjectLine.com: Provides a detailed analysis of your subject line’s effectiveness and spam compliance.
Google Optimize or A/B Testing in Your Email Platform: Many email platforms like Mailchimp, ConvertKit, and ActiveCampaign offer built-in A/B testing to compare the performance of different subject lines.

Using these tools ensures your subject lines are more likely to connect with your audience.

Make Every Subject Line Count

As a small business owner, you don’t have time to waste on emails that don’t perform. Your subject lines should be clear, compelling, and tailored to your audience. Use the tips above to craft lines that grab attention, and don’t forget to leverage tools like CoSchedule and SubjectLine.com to test their effectiveness.

With the right subject lines, you’ll see more opens, clicks, and engagement—helping you grow your email list and your business.

Ready to start building your email marketing strategy? Check out this article for tips and tactics to help you drive more revenue with email marketing.