Subject Lines That Get Opened

You're sending a project update email to your manager.

Bad: "Project Status Update"

They scan past it in their overflowing inbox. It sits unread for two days while you wait for feedback.

Good: "3 wins delivered, 1 blocker needs your input by Thursday"

They open it immediately and respond within the hour with clear direction.

The difference? Specific signals beat generic labels.

John Caples tested thousands of headlines and found the best ones promise specific value. "Team Update" gets ignored. "3 blockers we're removing this week" gets opened. AI generates subject lines optimized for your recipient's priorities.

Your email competes with 100 others in someone's inbox. Generic subjects like "Update" or "Quick Question" reveal nothing about urgency, relevance, or what action is needed. They get triaged to "later" which often means never.

Specific numbers and clear signals change the calculation. "2 decisions needed" tells them exactly what's required. "5 customer wins this week" promises good news worth opening. The subject line becomes a preview of value, not just a label.

This isn't about manipulation—it's about respecting their time by signaling what matters.

Inboxes are ruthless priority filters. Every subject line answers an unconscious question: "Is this worth my attention right now?"

Generic labels force the recipient to open the email just to find out if it matters. Specific signals let them triage accurately—and paradoxically, that clarity makes them more likely to open it.

Numbers work because they're concrete. "Several issues" could mean anything. "3 blockers" is scannable, urgent, and actionable. You're not gaming the system—you're helping someone make better decisions about their time.