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Crafting Subject Lines That Look Like They're From Potential Customers
Crafting Subject Lines That Look Like They're From Potential Customers
Bourhan Sbalbal avatar
Written by Bourhan Sbalbal
Updated over a week ago

When it comes to cold email, the subject line is your first (and sometimes only) chance to grab a prospect's attention. A highly effective strategy is to craft subject lines that mimic those from potential customers. By doing so, your emails appear more like natural inbound leads, increasing the likelihood of getting opened. Here's how you can implement this approach:

Why It Works:

  • Familiarity: People are more likely to open emails that seem like they’re from someone reaching out directly to them.

  • Relevance: A subject line that feels relevant to their online presence or business activity is more compelling.

  • Curiosity: These subject lines pique curiosity, prompting the recipient to open the email to see what it’s about.


Subject Lines to Test:

  1. "Found you on social media"

    • When to Use: If your offer relates to social media marketing, management, or analytics.

    • Why It Works: It suggests that the sender has already engaged with the recipient's brand online, making the email feel like a warm lead.

  2. "Couldn't find you on Google"

    • When to Use: Perfect for offers related to SEO, online visibility, or digital marketing services.

    • Why It Works: This subject line taps into the fear of missing out (FOMO) and implies that the recipient might be losing potential business due to poor search visibility.

  3. "Found you on Google"

    • When to Use: Use this if your services are related to Google Ads, search engine marketing, or website optimization.

    • Why It Works: This line suggests that the sender found the recipient through a search, which can feel like an organic connection.


How to Implement:

  • A/B Testing: Run these subject lines in your cold email campaigns to see which performs best. Track open rates and tweak based on performance.

  • Personalization: Where possible, personalize the subject line further by mentioning the recipient's name or business, making it even more relevant.

  • Segmentation: Use these subject lines with segmented lists that align with the service or product you’re offering, ensuring maximum relevance.


Final Thoughts: Crafting subject lines that look like they’re from potential customers can significantly boost your open rates. By appearing as a natural inbound lead, you break through the noise of typical cold emails, leading to better engagement and, ultimately, higher conversions.

Experiment with these subject lines and watch as your cold email strategy becomes more effective, driving more meaningful interactions with your prospects.

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