.png)
Are your holiday emails not achieving the open rates you hoped for?
Here’s a suggestion, adjust your subject lines: thirty-five percent of recipients use them to decide whether to open an email or not.
We get it. Changing your strategy during the middle of the holiday season isn’t ideal. But subject lines with emojis and excessive capitalization don’t work instead, try a clear line of text telling your customers what they need to know.
Here are some more ways to use subject lines to improve your holiday email open rates:
1. Say it all in the subject line
Your shoppers have been frenetically spending since the week before Black Friday, and at the stage, a lot of their shopping is done, and the inboxes are packed. Combat email exhaustion by telling them what they need to know.
Shutterfly: Just 3 days: get 50% off + NEW Disney Frozen Stockings
KSL Deals: Save 10% with Promo Code: Christmas10
2. Consider the self-gifters
About 42% of holiday shoppers are shopping for themselves. Including gifts with a purchase in your holiday subject lines is a good way to get their attention while they’re shopping for others.
One Kings Lane: Post-Christmas grab bag: pick a present for yourself
BloomThat: It’s all for YOU.
3. “Sleigh” the inbox with puns
Marketers try all sorts of tactics to get their subject lines noticed during the holiday season. It’s always best to let your offers speak for themselves, but if you want something extra, try making them chuckle rather than cramming emojis and all caps into your subject lines. If you’ve got a pun, go for it.
World Market: Ho-Ho-WHOA! 50% off Wine Gift Baskets + Holiday Food and Décor. LAST DAY for two HUGE coupons.
Southwest: Snow Fare Like A Low Fare!
4. Offer something that isn’t a coupon or discount
People are paying attention to their inboxes this time of year, so even if you’re not pushing a sale or coupon, you can join in on the holiday spirit with holiday-themed subject lines.
Instacart: This week’s forecast? Stress-free holiday grocery shopping!
UberEATS: Brr- warm up with some free hot chocolate.
5. Give them useful info
Planning travel, finding gifts for that difficult relative and trying to keep up that holiday cheer. You shoppers have a lot going on. Consider giving some tips and guidance- they’ll remember it when they need more.
Oribe: 10 Holiday Tips for Your Salon
Food & Wine: 27 Recipes for a Holiday Cocktail Bash
6. Just say hello to your subscribers
Take a break from selling and send your subscribers a message with a holiday greeting subject line that shows you appreciate them.
Lyft: You guys are amazing, you know that?
Audible.com: A Free Holiday Gift Just for Our Members
Christmas subject lines don’t follow any pattern. Remember, it’s not always about deals and promotions. Consider trying to solve shoppers’ problems with gift ideas, extended tips, shopping guides, and even a simple thank you. Whichever path you take, just remember to keep your subject lines upbeat and easy to digest.
25 Holiday Email Subject Lines for Further Inspiration
Here’s what retailers across all industries are doing to entice customers during the five seconds it takes to determine whether to open an email or not:
Michael’s: the Black Friday Savings Continue! Up to 70% Off AND Big Coupons!
philosophie: last day! Receive 6 clean, peel & treat deluxe minis with purchase!
Rip Curl: 5 reasons you need a SearchGPS this Xmas
Freshbooks: Deliver Some Cheer this Holiday Season
De Beers: There’s still time…
Rapha: Last express shipping days for Rapha Gifts
Capsule: Christmas Deadline: TODAY – Best stocking stuffer ever!
Musician’ Friend: Perfect last-minute gift – a gift certificate
Papa Murphy’s: Don’t Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle… Let Us Help with Dinner!
Groupon: Groupon’s Most Wanted This Holiday Season
JetBlue: Up to 50% bonus – ‘tis better to give AND receive!
Utah Valley Massage Therapy: Last Minute Stocking Stuffer Ideas
Bass Pro Shops: Final Hours! Stretch your payment for 6 months
KSL Deals: 14 Awesome Gift Ideas
Guitar Center: 12 Deals of Christmas – Updated Daily
Cabela’s: You’ve made your list…
com: For the Person that Has Everything
Musician’s Friend: Nick’s here with two ways to save
De Beers: Find the Perfect Gift
Bass Pro Shops: Save up to 25% on Santa’s Toy Shop!
Dot & Bo: Ring In The New Year – Plus: 12 Days of Christmas Gifting Starts Now
Seafolly: All she wants for Christmas is S E A F O L L Y
Birchbox: Free Boxes. Ohh Yeah.
Crew: It’s OK to have seconds (or thirds) of this sale
Provisions by Food52: Gifting Made Easy: Free Shipping + Discounted Gift Cards + Our Best Picks
Credit to: Bronto.com