5 Strategies to Improve Newsletter Email Open Rates with Rewards & Creative Subject Lines

In the ever-evolving digital communication landscape, newsletters remain a powerful tool for connecting with your audience. However, with inboxes flooded with messages competing for attention, finding ways to stand out is crucial. 

One effective strategy is leveraging the psychology of rewards to boost your newsletter open rates. In this blog post, we'll explore how incorporating rewards into your email marketing strategy can significantly impact engagement and ultimately contribute to the success of your campaigns.

The transformative impact of rewards 

The prospect of reward strongly influences human behavior. Whether it's a sense of accomplishment, a tangible prize, or exclusive access to valuable content, the promise of something positive triggers a response in the brain. This principle is at the core of why rewards work so effectively in email marketing.

• Curiosity and anticipation: When subscribers know there's something valuable waiting for them in your newsletter, curiosity is piqued, and anticipation builds. It's the same feeling when unwrapping a gift – the excitement of discovering something new and beneficial.
• Establishing value: Offering rewards communicates the value of your content. It tells your subscribers that their time is valued and there's something in it for them. This perception of value strengthens the relationship between you and your audience, fostering trust and loyalty.

5 strategies for incorporating rewards in newsletter emails

Here are five effective strategies for incorporating rewards:

1. Exclusive content

Provide your subscribers with exclusive access to premium content. This could include industry insights, expert interviews, or sneak peeks into upcoming products or services. Make them feel like insiders, and they'll be more likely to open your newsletters consistently.

2. Discounts and promotions

Everyone loves a good deal. Offering exclusive discounts or promotions to your newsletter subscribers encourages them to open your emails and drives sales and conversions. Highlight the exclusivity of these offers to make subscribers feel special.

3. Contests and giveaways

Running contests or giveaways within your newsletters adds an element of excitement. Whether it's a chance to win a prize or be featured in your following newsletter, this interactive approach engages your audience and motivates them to open up and participate.

4. Milestones and recognition

Acknowledge your subscribers' loyalty by celebrating milestones. This could be the anniversary of their subscription or reaching a certain engagement level. Recognition fosters a sense of belonging and appreciation, encouraging continued interaction.

5. Tracking and analyzing results

Tracking and analyzing the data is essential to truly understand the impact of rewards on your newsletter open rates. Use analytics tools to monitor how different types of rewards influence subscriber behavior. Pay attention to open, click-through, and conversion rates to fine-tune your approach and optimize future campaigns.

Not that we've learned how rewards help to increase the efficiency of emails; now, let us explore some of the compelling subject lines for the newsletter.

Subject lines are the first thing that attracts audiences’ attention. With this, the audience is interested in reading the newsletter's contents. To make your subject lines attractive, you should ensure they are short, meaningful, and relevant. Here are 50 such compelling subject lines you could use.

50 compelling newsletter subject lines

Here are some examples of effective newsletter subject lines to arouse interest in the reader:

1. Just arrived: Best solutions to increase your storage.
2. Presenting the best tips to keep Monday blues away.
3. Important update: You still have time to renew your subscription!
4. Discover what’s new at (brand).
5. Check out our new post about (topic).
6. Here are the last 3 days to grab our product at a discount.
7. Subscribe to keep yourself updated on the latest trends in technology.
8. The long awaited sale is now LIVE!
9. The beginner’s guide to using (product) is now ready to use.
10. This edition brings you the latest strategies for productivity improvement.
11. Don’t miss the scoop: Subscribe to our newsletter today!
12. Attract more organic leads with our exclusive guide.
13. Accelerate your returns with our B2B guide.
14. Urgent info inside: learn about this before your competitors do!
15. A sneak peek into our demo event held last week.
16. If you are looking for time management tools, this guide is for you.
17. Don’t miss your last chance to save 25%.
18. Attention: Amazing actionable insights to unlock your potential is here.
19. Hurry! Few more days left to grab our free shipping offer.
20. Introducing our brand new project management tools.
21. Here are 10 reasons why you should connect with us.
22. Free gift inside: A free 2-minute guide on how to scale your growth.
23. Important updates you will never want to miss!
24. Have you claimed your free gift with yearly subscription?
25. Registration confirmation: your exciting journey with (brand) begins now!
26. Lead generation simplified: excellent tips inside.
27. Do it yourself: Tips to stay healthy this winter.
28. Here are some latest in work-from-home furniture.
29. Tips to strengthen your bond with your customers.
30. Subscribe to our newsletter today to unlock your VIP pass to unlimited content.
31. Get ready to shine through the season: spring-worthy fashion tips revealed.
32. Exclusive guide: Learn how you can fuel your growth by more than 5 times.
33. Most-needed tips to uncover your employee’s potential.
34. Get ready for an unforgettable experience: Details inside.
35. Empowering businesses with our expert guidance.
36. Do you know we are launching our updated site soon?
37. We help you stay informed: subscribe today!
38. Act now! Don’t miss the last chance.
39. Subscribe to receive the trending ideas in your inbox.
40. Great deals inside: amazing gifting ideas for your employees.
41. Are you there? We are waiting with an update.
42. We have a little something for everyone.
43. Drive more ROI with our expert suggestions.
44. Unleash your hidden potential with some amazing tips.
45. If you want to know what makes us different, click here to read.
46. Come, join us at (event).
47. Stay tuned! We will be back soon.
48. Want to what’s new at (brand)?
49. Hey there! Did you know that 53% of marketers are sepding almost half of their budget on lead generation?
50. Here is our latest edition with a once-in-a-lifetime offer.

How to write newsletter subject lines

Writing effective newsletter subject lines is essential to improve open rates and engagement with your content. Here's a guide on how to craft compelling subject lines:

• Understand your audience: Start by knowing who you're talking to. Tailor your subject line to resonate with your audience's interests, preferences, and pain points.
• Keep it short and sweet: Most email clients display about 50-60 characters in the subject line before cutting it off. Keep it concise to ensure your main message isn't lost.
• Convey urgency or exclusivity: Using phrases like "Limited time offer," "Exclusive deal," or "Last chance" can make subscribers feel they'll miss out if they don't act quickly.
• Personalize: Use the recipient's name or other personal information (like purchase history) to make the subject line more relevant. For example, "John, check out these new arrivals!"
• Pose a question: Asking a question can pique curiosity and make subscribers want to open the email for the answer.
• Provide a benefit or value: Clearly communicate what's in it for the subscriber. For example, "10 tips to improve your writing skills."
• Use actionable language: Use verbs that inspire action, such as "Discover," "Grab," or "Learn."
• Test and optimize: A/b testing different subject lines will give insights into what resonates most with your audience. Adjust based on the results to improve open rates.
• Avoid spammy words: Phrases like "Free money," "Earn cash," or "Win prizes" can land your email in the spam folder. Ensure your language sounds genuine and avoids typical spam triggers.
• Be genuine: Overhyping content or making false promises can erode trust. Make sure the subject line reflects the content of your newsletter.
• Use numbers: Numbers can make your subject line stand out and offer a clear idea of what to expect. For example, "5 ways to boost your productivity."
• Leverage emojis carefully: Emojis can make your subject line pop, but use them sparingly and ensure they're relevant to your message and audience.
• Preview and proofread: Always check how your subject line looks in different email clients. And, of course, ensure there are no typos or grammatical errors.

Newsletter subject lines best practices

Here are seven best practices for crafting compelling newsletter subject lines:

1. Keep it concise

Due to varying email client standards and the widespread use of mobile devices, there's limited space to display subject lines. A concise subject line ensures your entire message is visible without getting cut off. Additionally, in today's fast-paced world, people often skim through their inboxes. A brief and clear subject line can quickly convey the essence of your email, making it more likely to be opened.

Example: "New Summer Collection Just Landed!"

2. Personalize the subject

Personalization caters to the individual needs and preferences of each subscriber. When a reader sees their name or a reference to a past purchase, it creates a connection, making the email feel more relevant and tailored to them. This increases the likelihood of engagement and reduces the chance of the email being overlooked.

Example: "Anna, a special gift awaits you inside!"

3. Leverage action words

Action words or verbs create a sense of momentum. For instance, words like "Discover," "Grab," "Learn," and "Get" push the reader towards taking action. They instill a proactive feeling, suggesting there's value or information awaiting them inside the email.

Example: "Discover the Top Reads for Spring."

4. Instill urgency or fomo (fear of missing out)

Humans are naturally driven by the fear of missing out on opportunities. By creating a sense of urgency or exclusivity, you're tapping into this psychological trigger. Phrases suggesting limited availability or time can prompt subscribers to open the email immediately rather than postponing it.

Example: "Only 5 Seats Left! Register Now."

5. Pose a provocative question

Questions engage the brain automatically. When you ask a question in your subject line, you're prompting the reader to think about an answer. This curiosity often leads them to open the email, especially if the question is relevant to their interests or needs.

Example: "Looking for the perfect summer dress?"

6. Stay authentic

Trust is crucial in any relationship, including between a brand and its subscribers. Clickbait or misleading subject lines might get an email opened once, but they can erode trust. If readers feel they can't trust the content you're sending, they're more likely to unsubscribe or mark your emails as spam in the future.

7. A/B testing

Not all audiences are the same. What works for one newsletter's audience might not work for another's. By running a/b tests (sending two versions of a subject line to different audience segments), you can gather data on what resonates best with your subscribers. Over time, this continuous testing and refining process can significantly improve your open rates.

Examples of subject lines from famous brands

Here are 5 examples newsletter subject lines from famous brands.

1. Apple: "Introducing the All-New iPhone 13"

Apple's subject line is effective because it creates a sense of excitement and curiosity. People are always eager to learn about the latest products from Apple, and this subject line capitalizes on that by using words like "introducing" and "all-new." It also includes the product name, iPhone 13, which is specific and recognizable to Apple enthusiasts.

2. Amazon: "Don't Miss Out on Prime Day Deals!"

Amazon's subject line is great because it conveys a sense of urgency and exclusivity. It taps into the fear of missing out (FOMO) by using "Don't Miss Out." Additionally, it mentions "Prime Day," which is a highly anticipated event for Amazon Prime members, making it relevant and enticing to their target audience.

3. Nike: "New Arrivals: Fresh Styles for Your Workout"

Nike's subject line is effective because it focuses on the audience's interests and needs. By mentioning "New Arrivals" and "Fresh Styles," they signal that subscribers can find the latest trends in workout wear. This subject line caters to the desire for new and trendy fitness apparel.

4. Starbucks: "Get Your Free Birthday Drink - It's on Us!"

Starbucks' subject line is compelling because it offers a tangible benefit and personalization. By mentioning "Free Birthday Drink" and "It's on Us," Starbucks makes subscribers feel special and valued. Everyone loves a free treat on their birthday, making this subject line highly engaging.

5. Airbnb: "Escape to a Secluded Paradise - Exclusive Discounts Inside"

Airbnb's subject line is effective because it combines elements of escapism and exclusivity. The mention of a "Secluded Paradise" appeals to the desire for unique and picturesque travel experiences. Additionally, the promise of "Exclusive Discounts Inside" incentivizes subscribers to open the email and explore the offers.

3 of the best email newsletter examples we’ve ever seen

Here are 3 of the best email newsletter examples we’ve ever seen.

1. Canva

Canva dispatches roughly 5 emails every month, ensuring each is meticulously designed to boost engagement and maintain user interest. One such email newsletter from Canva offers an in-depth look into Facebook features for ecommerce, including Facebook Shops that enable direct shopping from the platform.

Canva recognizes that a significant portion of its user base comprises small ecommerce businesses. These businesses craft their own promotional materials and seek straightforward templates for product advertisements, newsfeed entries, and other business-related content.

2. Creative Boom

Creative Boom, a UK-centric arts and design magazine, is tailored for artists, illustrators, and designers. Their email newsletter showcases a blend of intriguing and motivational article summaries accompanied by stunning visuals, topped with an elegant header GIF.

3. Asana

Asana's edition embraces several best practices. It features a central CTA button promoting their e-book download, and the content is oriented around a seasonal theme. Specifically, Asana delves into the topic of mid-year goal assessment, a crucial focal point for professionals across corporate America and knowledge-based sectors globally. Additionally, the email is adorned with Asana's signature visuals – crisp, geometric, and distinctly contemporary illustrations.

Key takeaways

With a compelling subject line, you invite more readership. We hope the above-listed examples are helpful to create your own. Be creative and engage your audience with amazing subject lines. Understand your audience well so that your subject lines address their pain points.