Imagine spending hours crafting the perfect email—full of valuable tips, must-have resources, and a limited-time offer—only for it to land in your audience’s inbox and never get opened. Unfortunately, that is often the case, but it doesn’t have to be.
Your subject line is the first (and sometimes only) chance you have to grab your audience’s attention. In just a few seconds, a teacher scanning their inbox will decide: open, ignore, or delete. And if your subject line doesn’t spark curiosity, create urgency, or promise value, your email might never see the light of day.
If you’re serious about selling more on TpT and building an engaged audience, mastering the art of subject lines is non-negotiable. Let’s dive into what works, what doesn’t, and how you can write subject lines that practically demand to be opened.
Here are some subject line strategies you can use to get higher open rates.
1. Ask a Thought-Provoking Question
- “Are you making this classroom mistake?”
- “What if your students LOVED word problems?”
- “How do you handle fast finishers?”
2. Create a Sense of Urgency or FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
- “Only 2 days left to grab this classroom freebie!”
- “Don’t start your next unit without this tip!”
- “Stop struggling with behavior issues—try this today!”
3. Use Personal Experience or a Relatable Story
- “I was making this grading mistake for years…”
- “The moment I realized my students weren’t really learning…”
- “What I wish I knew my first year teaching”
4. Highlight a Quick Win or Easy Fix
- “A simple trick to get students engaged instantly”
- “The easiest way to improve classroom management”
- “Try this 5-minute activity for instant student focus”
5. Use a “You vs. Them” Comparison
- “Great teachers do this—do you?”
- “Why some teachers get better behavior results”
- “Is your classroom running YOU?”
6. Make a Bold or Unexpected Statement
- “Why I stopped using worksheets (and what I do instead)”
- “You’re grading too much—here’s what to do instead”
- “The #1 thing that saved my sanity this year”
7. Play on Emotions (Joy, Frustration, Relief, etc.)
- “The lesson that made my students’ eyes light up!”
- “This email will save you HOURS of planning time”
- “I was SO frustrated—until I tried this”
8. Use a Teacher Meme or Pop Culture Reference
- “When you realize it’s Monday morning…😩”
- “The Beyoncé approach to classroom management”
- “If teaching were like The Hunger Games…”
9. Break the Pattern with an Unusual Subject Line
- “Well, that was a disaster…”
- “I did the math, and it’s NOT adding up”
- “Oops… I almost forgot to tell you this!”
10. Tease an Exclusive or Insider Tip
- “My secret to getting students to actually do their work”
- “What no one tells you about lesson planning”
- “This one hack changed how I teach fractions”
11. Create Curiosity
- You won’t believe what my students did when…
- This one tweak changed my classroom management
Here’s some Research on what works in Email Subject Lines
1. Evoking Urgency or Scarcity
Subject lines that create a sense of urgency can boost open rates by 22%.
Examples:
- “Only 2 days left to grab this classroom freebie!”
- “Don’t start your next unit without this tip!”
2. Personalization
Including personalization in subject lines can increase open rates.
Examples:
- “John, discover new strategies for classroom management”
- “A special resource for your 5th-grade class”
3. Using Numbers or Lists
Subject lines with numbers have 57% better open rates.
Examples:
- “5 ways to help your students learn fractions”
- “The top three methods to engage reluctant readers”
4. Keeping It Concise
Subject lines between 1-5 words have higher open and reply rates.
Examples:
- “New classroom tool”
- “Upcoming PD session”
5. Posing Questions
Asking questions in subject lines can engage recipients.
Examples:
- “Are you making this classroom mistake?”
- “What if your students loved word problems?”
6. Creating Curiosity
Subject lines that spark curiosity can lead to higher open rates.
Examples:
- “You won’t believe what she said.”
- “This works every time.”
Incorporating these strategies can enhance the effectiveness of your email campaigns.
7. Use of Emojis
Incorporating emojis can make subject lines more eye-catching and convey emotions succinctly. However, it’s essential to ensure they align with your audience’s preferences and the email’s content. For instance, a subject line like “Boost Your Classroom Engagement 📈” can add a visual element that draws attention.
8. A/B Testing
Regularly conducting A/B tests on your subject lines can provide insights into what resonates best with your audience. By experimenting with different wording, lengths, and styles, you can optimize open rates over time.
9. Clarity and Relevance
Ensuring that your subject lines are clear and directly related to the email content helps set accurate expectations for the reader. Subject lines that are misleading can lead to higher unsubscribe rates. For example, “New Strategies for Classroom Management” clearly indicates the email’s content.
10. Audience Segmentation
Tailoring subject lines to specific segments of your audience can increase relevance and engagement. For instance, sending different subject lines to new teachers versus veteran educators can address their unique needs and interests.
Conclusion and More Resources to Help You on Your Journey
By integrating these strategies, you can further refine your email subject lines to better capture your audience’s attention and improve open rates.
Download my free swipe file of 109 Subject Lines
More Resources to Help You with Your Email Marketing
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