The Art of Writing Newsletter Headlines That Get Opened

Your newsletter headline is the most important factor determining whether subscribers open your email or ignore it. With most people receiving dozens or even hundreds of emails daily, your headline needs to stand out and compel action. Here's how to craft headlines that get clicked.

Why Headlines Matter

On average, 80% of people will read your headline, but only 20% will read the rest of your content. A strong headline can increase your open rates by 30% or more, directly impacting the effectiveness of your newsletter campaigns.

Key Principles for Effective Newsletter Headlines

1. Create a Sense of Urgency

Include time-sensitive language that encourages immediate action:

• "Last Chance: Offer Expires Tonight"
• "Today Only: Access Our Exclusive Guide"
• "5 Days Left to Register for Our Free Workshop"

2. Spark Curiosity

Pique your readers' interest with intriguing statements that leave them wanting more:

• "The Unexpected Strategy That Doubled Our Conversion Rate"
• "What Most Email Marketers Get Wrong About Subject Lines"
• "3 Counterintuitive Lessons From Analyzing 1,000 Newsletters"

3. Provide Clear Value

Clearly state the benefit subscribers will get from opening your email:

• "5 Ready-to-Use Templates for Your Next Email Campaign"
• "How to Write Newsletters 3x Faster [Free Checklist]"
• "Case Study: How We Grew Our Open Rate by 42%"

4. Use Numbers and Data

Numbers make your headlines more specific and credible:

• "7 Newsletter Tactics That Increased Our Revenue by 28%"
• "Our 5-Minute Process for Crafting Click-Worthy Subject Lines"
• "83% of Top Newsletters Use These 4 Headline Formulas"

5. Keep It Brief and Clear

Aim for 40-60 characters to ensure your full headline appears on most email clients:

• "Quick Tip: Boost Engagement With This One Change"
• "May Newsletter: New Resources Inside"
• "Try This Simple A/B Test for Better Results"

Headlines to Avoid

Be careful with these approaches that can hurt your open rates:

• Clickbait that overpromises: Creates disappointment and erodes trust
• ALL CAPS and excessive punctuation!!!: Triggers spam filters
• Vague or generic headlines: Like "May Newsletter" without additional context
• Lengthy, complex phrasing: Gets cut off in mobile inboxes

Test and Optimize

The most effective way to improve your headlines is through consistent testing:

1. Create 2-3 variations of your headline
2. Send each version to a small segment of your list
3. Analyze which performs best
4. Use the winner for the remainder of your list
5. Document patterns for future newsletters

Remember that the perfect headline balances grabbing attention with accurately representing your content. A headline might get opens, but if the content doesn't deliver, subscribers will be less likely to open your next email.