5 Horrible SPAM Email Subject Lines

In the last post, we looked at 7 SPAM email subject lines…that were actually good!

Not good in the sense that I’d recommend the products/services they’re pitching. But good in the sense of making for great subject line templates you can use for your emails.

In this post, we’re going to look at the opposite side of things. These are 5 SPAM email subject lines that are really bad. If your email subject lines look like these stinkers, don’t expect much of a response…

DIY Replace or Repair your Roof

Maybe this would work if it was “DIY Repair Your Roof”. But replace?

I’ve seen the big crews from the local roofing companies in my neighborhood replacing roofs. It’s HARD labor, it’s dangerous and it takes a crew of 10 all day to do 1 roof. And these guys do it everyday. The idea that I could replace my own roof flunks the believability test. If you want people to open your email, they have to think there’s some truth behind your offer.

Save Big on All Vehicles

What vehicles? How big? Save how much? This subject line is just too broad to appeal to people. As we saw in the last post, good subject lines are specific.

Melt fat away

Weight loss is one of the most competitive markets you can get into. Just as the last subject line was too broad, so is this one. In fact, this one is so broad and in such a competitive market, it lacks any sense of credibility and will surely end up being deleted.

Adam : You were recommended into the Global Professional Network

I added this to the list for one reason…my name is in the subject line. Have you ever received an email from someone you know that has your name in the subject line? Me neither. Inserting someone’s name in the subject line is a clear flag that the email is SPAM from someone they don’t know. Avoid using this tactic in your emails.

How To Grow 3+ Inches Taller in Just a Matter of Weeks

Like the DIY roof replacement, this one fails the believability test. People won’t open emails that lack credibility and this one definitely lacks it. To make one like this work, you have to offer some proof up in the subject line. Something like “New Harvard Study: Participants Grow 3+ Inches Taller in 17 Days” would be more effective because it’s more specific and references a credible (at least in most people’s minds!) institution.

So there are 5 examples of what you DON’T want to do when writing email subject lines. It really boils down to this…good email subject lines are specific and believable. These aren’t.