How important are email opening lines to your marketing campaigns?
Every digital marketer knows email titles are crucial. Using killer subject lines is the equivalent of putting your best foot forward.
But what will greet them upon clicking on your emails? Read on to learn how to introduce your marketing messages and how to craft email opening lines for every situation.
What are email opening lines?
The first line of the inside text is your email opening line. Some marketers also use this part of the message as preheader text (or vice versa).
Need a refresher on preheader text? Our video below can show you how to use it in less than two minutes.
Subscribers already know you’re selling something. You can pique their curiosity with a great subject line, but it’s the job of an email opening line to motivate them to read all the way up to your CTA.
People subscribe to mailing lists for a reason. It’s critical to remind your audience of that initial spark of interest each time you introduce a new email marketing campaign.
55 email opening lines for every situation
Each type of marketing email serves a different purpose and requires something unique from its opening lines.
Find below a quick marketing message primer, along with suggested email opening lines for every situation.
1. Welcome emails
This is the first message you send to new signups. Welcome emails can thank subscribers for signing up. Some may ask people to help customize what kind of messages they want to receive in the future.
Source: Really Good Emails
Here are some examples of welcome email opening lines:
- Welcome to [brand name]! We’re so happy to have you.
- Hi, [subscriber name]! We’re excited to welcome you to the [brand name] community.
- Thank you for subscribing! In our newsletters, you can look forward to [description of typical content].
- Hello and welcome! We can’t wait to [description of brand services].
- Thanks for signing up for the [brand name] newsletter! We just need a few more details so we can send you the right stuff.
People expect welcome emails, so they’re 10 times more likely to click and raise your overall open rate.
Our infographic shows just how effective welcome emails are.
2. Promotional emails
Promotional emails tell subscribers about your brand. This information typically comes with coupons or other special offers.
Here are some examples of promotional email opening lines:
- Our [product]s are going fast.
- Today only! Get 10% off when you check out using [coupon code].
- Don’t miss out, [subscriber name]! Get your [product] now.
- It’s nearly over. 20% off all [product type]!
- One week left to save 30%.
Ninety-three percent of subscribers will use coupons sent to their inboxes, and forty percent of consumers share online deals emailed to them with their friends too.
3. New product launch or announcement emails
When a brand announces a new product, it’s rarely done through a single email. To build anticipation, a product launch email campaign may consist of a series of automated messages.
Here are some examples of new product launch or announcement email opening lines:
- Meet the new and improved [product].
- Same [product], new [product features]!
- The future of [brand service] is here!
- We’re excited to introduce [new feature] to [brand service].
- They’re here! Our latest [products] are now shipping.
Brands may create a segment to receive exclusive content before a site-wide rollout. First impressions from these subscribers are important—customer-generated reviews in emails can help increase conversions by up to 270 percent.
Fortunately, CM Commerce makes it easy to feature product reviews in your emails.
4. Replenishment or re-up emails
Replenishment emails remind and urge customers to reorder or resubscribe.
Here are some examples of replenishment or re-up email opening lines:
- Cupboards getting a bit bare? It might be time to stock up on your favorites again.
- We hope you enjoyed your recent purchase! If you need to reorder, click the button below to top up.
- Hey, [subscriber name]! We think you may need a refill.
- Running low? Re-order the products you love before you run out.
- Reaching the end of your supply? Re-up at [brand].
Re-up emails are high performers, with open rates averaging about 50 to 60%. Their average click rates are not far behind at 40 to 50%.
Is email automation worth it? Find out by reading our guide.
5. Email newsletters
Almost all newsletters today get sent to virtual inboxes. These scheduled bursts of information note current news, build connections with subscribers, and pave the way for conversions.
Here are some examples of email newsletter opening lines:
- In this free monthly dose of the [Brand] Update, we’re focusing on [list of email contents].
- Good morning and happy [day]! It’s time for another issue of the [Brand] News.
- This month in [brand], check out our latest [list of products].
- Welcome to [newsletter name], [brand]’s newly revamped newsletter.
- Hey, [subscriber name]! We’ve got a lot to be thankful for this month.
It’s worth noting here that brands report a drop in open rates—more than 18%—when they use the word “newsletter” in a marketing email.
Get loyal newsletter subscribers by reading our guide.
6. Holiday emails
Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday, Christmas, and the New Year are great opportunities to drive conversions and a mass major revenue for your brand.
Source: Really Good Emails
Here are some examples of holiday email opening lines:
- All we want for Christmas is… 30% off everything.
- It’s now or never! Place your order by the end of today to receive in time for Christmas.
- Ring in the New Year with [brand]. Get $5 off every purchase of [product]!
- Last-minute gifts not to miss. Free next-day delivery on in-stock items ordered by [deadline].
- In a rush for the perfect gift? Shall we rush your [product] for free?
- Get a sneak peek at Black Friday deals.
Email marketing is directly responsible for about 20% of online store visits during the holidays. Customers also make bigger purchases when they receive holiday email offers, often spending over 130% more.
7. Testimonial emails
Testimonials can provide a fresh marketing perspective for your subscribers. Why not let your customers inspire each other and do some peer storytelling to help along your conversion rate?
Here are some examples of testimonial email opening lines:
- See why our [product] is a customer favorite!
- Top [influencer types] trust [brand] to perfect their [skills]. Read why.
- [Product] can improve your [skill]. Take a look at what happens when we put them in the hands of some of our favorite [influencer types].
- Huge savings. Five-star ratings.
- See what people are saying about their [product].
With an effectiveness rating of almost 90%, testimonials make for amazing digital content. If you include reviews in your emails, future customers may spend over 30% more.
8. Upgrade emails
These messages can entice subscribers to try a premium service or move to a higher subscription tier. Upgrade emails are a great way to move prospects forward to the next stage of their respective customer journeys.
Here are some examples of upgrade email opening lines:
- We’ve rolled out a new update to [brand service].
- Join the squad and get one month free!
- Get more done with the new and redesigned [brand service].
- Your trial period for [brand] has expired, and you’re now back to the free plan.
- The following features are now unavailable. Would you like to upgrade to a premium account?
You can offer a trial period, but don’t expect the tactic to work with everyone. Only about 15 to 20% of free trial subscribers become paying customers.
9. Abandoned cart emails
It’s the job of abandoned cart emails to nudge people gently to the checkout page. With CM Commerce, you can create motivating abandoned cart reminders that use personalized offers and discounts based on buyer behavior or cart value.
Here are some examples of abandoned cart email opening lines:
- We’ve reserved your cart for the next 48 hours.
- Taking another look? We saved your items.
- Your cart called. It’s hoping you come back and see it.
- Looks like you didn’t finish checking out. If you’d still like [product], confirm the purchase before [deadline].
- Your shopping bag has abandonment issues. Save these products from therapy and give them a loving home!
With social proofing, these targeted emails can lead to a 12% recovery rate of abandoned carts.
10. Re-engagement emails
When subscribers stop interacting with your emails, it’s time to launch a re-engagement campaign.
No one loses here. If they don’t reply, it’s better for your performance metrics to remove non-responsive subscribers from your mailing list than it is to keep them around.
Here are some examples of re-engagement email opening lines:
- We’ve missed you! It’s been a while since you’ve been a premium [brand] user.
- [Subscriber name], it’s so nice to see you again. A lot has changed since your last [engagement] with us.
- Here’s what you’ve been missing from [brand].
- Still want [brand] emails? Stay on our mailing list and get [brand perks].
- It’s been too long, [subscriber name].
Re-engagement emails are crucial because retaining leads is up to seven times less expensive than acquiring a new one.
Get the comprehensive guide to email engagement.
11. Donation or fundraising emails
If you run a nonprofit or need to send out a one-time call for support, a donation or fundraising email is your best bet. At the heart of these messages is an appeal to the generosity of your subscribers.
Source: Campaign Monitor
Here are some examples of donation or fundraising email opening lines:
- Make a donation, make a difference.
- Refresh your holiday shopping list with a donation that has an impact on an entire community.
- It’s [holiday]. Give [nonprofit cause]. 100% of your donation brings [nonprofit cause] to people in need.
- Dear [subscriber name], I am writing to you on behalf of [nonprofit brand] to request your support.
- It’s never too late to change the world.
Online correspondences have the potential to raise more funds in a shorter time. Email is ideal because more than 60% of people prefer receiving inbox messages over dealing with social media messaging.
Are your nonprofit emails living up to the benchmarks?
Wrap up
Opening lines introduce your marketing emails. Every email marketer has different types of messages in their strategy toolkit. Earlier, we delved into the definitions of these marketing messages and provided email opening lines for every situation:
- Welcome emails
- Promotional emails
- New product launch or announcement emails
- Replenishment or re-up emails
- Email newsletters
- Holiday emails
- Testimonial emails
- Upgrade emails
- Abandoned cart emails
- Re-engagement emails
- Donation or fundraising emails
Let your opening lines act as virtual handshakes that begin productive conversations.
Want to balance the best email opening lines for every situation with the perfect closing statements? Learn how to write the best CTAs for your marketing campaigns today.