Follow-up responses account for 55% of all responses to cold email campaigns. In order for you to get a response from your prospects, you must send at least one email. The subject lines for follow up emails are essential to ensuring your prospects open your messages in the first place.
We’ll show you how to make the most of follow-up subject lines in cold email campaigns in this article. Find out which ones resonate with prospects and lead to more responses to your cold emails by testing them yourself.
Maintaining persistence and mastering the art of the follow-up email subject line will pay dividends in the long run. Actually, follow-up emails have a greater response rate than the initial emails. Approximately 18% of emails sent result in a response.
Only 13% of emails sent result in a response, and 27% to the sixth email sent.
What Makes The Subject Lines for Follow up Emails Crucial?
The subject lines of cold emails are considered a relatively unimportant part of the email. That may well be the case based on research. If the subject line of your email doesn’t come across as spammy and the message has just a little value to your prospect. You’re probably going to get your email opened.
Most follow-up emails should have the same subject line as your initial email. That’s usually a good option since you won’t annoy your prospects by sending them emails in multiple threads.
However, you should test a new subject line at a certain time and place.
Here are two cases when it’s required: When you follow up with an entirely different topic than your initial email. After sending nearly all of your follow-ups, you want to change the approach.
In Mailvio, you can send your follow-up email in a new thread, or choose to send it in the same thread. Either way, you’ll always have the option to add a new subject line for your follow-ups. You can also automate the sending of your follow-up emails with Mailvio, in order to save you time and energy.
Guidelines For Subject Lines For Follow Up Emails
As you test out the 15 follow-up email subject lines below, keep in mind the following subject line best practices while you experiment:
Sound Authentic And Conversational
Messages that are overly sales-driven or come on too strongly are easily ignored or marked as spam. A friendly, conversational tone that shows you’re human, on the other hand, will seem genuine and more likely to generate a response.
Keep It Short
56% of people open their emails on mobile devices, so long subject lines will be truncated. We recommended you use seven to ten words in a paragraph, but fewer than five words can also be effective.
Customize By Adding The Subject’s Name
There has been evidence that this increases open rates in some cases. Also, try adding the name of the company or mentioning a mutual connection or shared experience you identified during your research.
It’s OK To Experiment
In order to make your email subject lines stand out from the crowd, you need to experiment with them. Not everybody will open the same subject lines. A few small adjustments to your campaigns over time can result in an increase in open rates, response rates, and conversions for your campaigns.
You can send anywhere between 100 and 1,000 emails with the same sender, snippet, and email content. Then, send a different set of emails with another subject line. Keep track of opens, clicks, replies, and more using a tool like Mailvio.
You must run your own tests, research the latest email findings, and check out the tests others are performing. To succeed in getting past all the clutter of the inbox, you must know how to write an effective follow-up email subject line.
Using the following 15 subject lines for follow up emails. Can help you push past all the noise in your inbox and start more conversations. With Mailvio you can A/B test subject lines and content, allowing you to compare results right from your platform dashboard.
Follow-up Sequences Are Better Off Automated
How can you possibly make contact with hundreds of prospects each week manually? I can assure you that this simply cannot work. Set up automated sequences that include follow-ups using an email marketing tool such as Mailvio instead.
Thus, you can personalize your emails at scale, set up follow-ups based on recipient actions, and manage all your leads in one place.
The Best Subject Lines for Follow Up Emails
- Remind them with a friendly note
- Using the omnichannel approach
- Data you have to share is relevant
- You have followed up several times without success
- Looking for a connection or talking point
- When being nice and curious didn’t work
- A straightforward approach to starting a conversation
- Following up on a call or meeting
- In the absence of a response
- Staying on their radar after making a connection
- Permission was granted to return later
- Creating a sense of urgency and specificity.
- You need their aid or guidance
- Trying one last time before giving up
- In the wake of a rejection
Remind Them With A Friendly Note
“Are you coming?”
It works because fear of missing out, or FOMO, is an extremely real phenomenon. “A state of mental or emotional strain caused by the fear of missing out.” “A state of anxiety brought on by our ability to identify opportunities.”
As well as evoking FOMO, a subject line should be brief and provide a sense of urgency as well.
Subject lines that are only their words long will always stand out in their inbox among the run-on sentences of most marketing messages. Almost as if it were coming from a friend or colleague, it also comes across as more conversational.
In any subject line, urgency is an easy way to attract attention, and this one does it without sounding desperate. It generates intrigue by reminding them of an event they may have forgotten or overlooked.
To that end, when using this subject line, you must make sure the body fulfills the expectations. This works best if you invite someone to something previously, but they never respond, or if you’re inviting them to something in that email.
Using The Omnichannel Approach
“Just left you a voicemail”
An indication that this isn’t your first contact: It shows you’re serious. It also demonstrates that you are not just another spammer. This subject line demonstrates a genuine desire to connect and a commitment to being consistent.
You Have Relevant Data To Share
“You are not alone”
This tactic works because it implies that the other person knows something about you, your company, or a competitor. Maybe something you are unaware of or perhaps something you have overlooked.
In any case, this subject line appears to be getting opened more often than normal. Additionally, it has the added advantage of being short, so it stands out in their inbox as soon as it arrives.
You need to follow through with the rest of the message to deliver on a subject line like that. Luckily, it makes it easy for you to share relevant industry data and competitor insights.
This is an easy subject line to grab attention if you have just released a white paper, invested in a research study. Or have a product that solves a major pain point they are experiencing.
You Have Followed Up Several Times Without Success
“Missed you again”
In one sense, it shows this isn’t the first attempt you have made to reach them. It also shows persistence and urgency. Your actions demonstrate you aren’t just another face in the crowd.
This subject line works well in an omnichannel approach that involves multiple touchpoints. Rather than simply sending emails to a high number of recipients. This will foster a more professional appearance.
Consider sending your initial email, then calling a few days later, following them on Twitter a week later. After that emailing them again a few days after that.
It depends on your approach, but if you keep jumping between all of the channels you’ve found them on. Then you’re more likely to breakthrough in the end.
Looking For A Connection Or Talking Point
“Have you tried FG Grills in New York?”
People are aggressively pitching their products these days, telling everyone how great they are and, thus, consistently driving them away. You must be different in order to break through this noise. One way to break through is to start a conversation with them.
Conversation starters like the subject line above are safe bets since everyone enjoys trying new restaurants. Aside from providing a local feel, it also adds a personal touch to the email.
It may take a little finesse and research to pull off this subject line, but it’s totally possible. It doesn’t even matter if you’ve been to the restaurant before. Let them know you heard about it and ask if it should be on your list when you visit.
Share all the great things you have heard with them if they haven’t been. The outcome will be mutually beneficial.
When Being Nice And Curious Didn’t Work
“Let’s cut to the chase”
Being blunt can sometimes break down barriers. It’s refreshing to witness candid behavior since it stands out from the norm. It’s easy to follow through on an email subject line like this.
You can cut out all the fluff in the body copy and be direct. Inform them that you are behind on your sales quota and can offer a discount as a result. Tell them that you do not need their business, but you know that they will gain from your offering. You might be surprised by the results if you do the opposite of what you normally do.
However, this shouldn’t automatically be the approach you use with every customer interaction. It can, however, be the kind of strategy that finally breaks through with particularly tricky, difficult, or downright unresponsive prospects.
A Straightforward Method For Starting A Conversation
“Where should we start”
This method works for some people because they like to be sold in a certain way. It begins that conversation in a low-pressure manner. One that seems casual, honest, and to the point.
Make sure you clearly state what you’re trying to accomplish and ask genuinely how they’d like to proceed with this.
This subject line should also follow a number of options that will take all mental load out of people’s heads.
Make your follow-up emails irresistible by speaking directly to the prospect’s needs, pain points, and desires. By using emotion-provoking language and personalization, and by sounding natural and human rather than tacky and robotic, you will captivate their attention.
Following Up On A Call Or Meeting
“Next steps”
This message works because it’s short, conversational, and direct. People are naturally curious and often can’t resist finding out what the next step is. Using it to re-engage prospects who have gone cold also works well.
As a follow-up email subject line, “Next steps” achieved a 70.5% open rate and a 49.6% reply rate, according to Yesware. That subject line was particularly useful as a direct follow-up to leaving voicemails. With a short phrase about “trying your line” to show extra commitment and persistence.
In The Absence of A Response
“I forgot to mention…”
What it does: It proves you’re human and have made mistakes. People often forget that there’s someone on the other side of the message. A more natural side of you can help you make a better first impression.
One that doesn’t come off as tacky but rather genuinely sincere. That shows you’re human, too.
This subject line should be paired with some kind of provocative statement, useful content, or other resources the recipient might find helpful.
Staying On Their Radar After Making A Connection
“Pleasure chatting with you, Tony”
Besides showing sincerity, it reminds them that you aren’t a total stranger. Showing gratitude leaves a lasting impression. In addition to the recipient’s name, it makes sense to include it here for further personalization.
Customize your subject line as much as possible to gain the most benefits. Good contact data stems from asking the right questions on your first engagement. As well as doing your initial research to find common ground, possible pain points, and other areas you can use to create a connection.
Permission Was Given To Return Later
“Let’s take a closer look.”
If someone gives you the go-ahead to contact them in the future, this subject line implies that you have spoken to them before.
All the while sounding friendly and conversational. You should always bring something of value to a conversation with your prospects.
As well as being a great alternative to overused subject lines, “Checking in” or “Touching base” are worthless. The prospect doesn’t only find them unnecessary and inconsiderate, they fail to deliver.
A recent study found that “Touching base” fails half the time. In conclusion, make sure that your follow-up has a reason.
Creating A Sense Of Urgency And Specificity.
“Monday meeting at 8:00”
Follow-up emails are typically meant to result in a call or meeting, so why not request one? This added urgency may grab their attention enough to open your email if they haven’t responded yet.
Using this kind of subject line, particularly for a follow-up email, conveys confidence. Similar to assuming the sale, assuming the meeting can also catch the prospect by surprise.
We tend to dismiss requests for meetings that are unannounced. But when someone calls to ask for a meeting at a specific time and date, we often check our calendars.
You Need Aid or Guidance
“Can you assist me?”
Everyone wants to be helpful, even if they’re busy. When it comes to creating compelling subject lines. “Write the subject line in a way that encourages them to respond and shows your interest in what they have to say.”
Your request for assistance and empathy shows you aren’t just following up for a sale, but also for their advice and guidance. Unless you’re completely committed to following their direction or advice.
This subject line only works if you’re sincere in your request. Utilize this email to ask for connections to the right person at the company you’re targeting.
Trying One Last Time Before You Give Up
“Tired of salespeople who don’t give up?”.
Being candid will often elicit a response and start the conversation off on the right foot because honesty is attractive. As a general rule, I wouldn’t open with something like this.
But I could see how it could work after 4-5 failed touchpoints, so long as you follow up properly in the email’s body copy. You will get the desired results.
In The Wake Of A Rejection
“What would make you change your mind? ”
A subject line like this stimulates curiosity and gets them thinking. Even if they have already decided about your product or service. It’s possible to use this option for either continuing the conversation or learning some information for your next email.
In most cases, this isn’t just a matter of finding a vendor. It’s about finding a partner, someone who can act as a trusted advisor and facilitate a mutually beneficial relationship. Being a partner means asking for feedback or advice and getting them on your side to achieve success together.
Such a subject line also has the advantage of being clear and concise. There is a clear explanation of the content of the email before opening it, which makes opening it worthwhile. A refreshing take on the selling through curiosity approach, as few salespeople are this direct.
Conclusion
Send these subject lines for your follow-up emails to your customers. If you want to transform your customer service procedures as customer satisfaction is crucial. 3% of all companies use this simple, yet effective strategy, representing a huge opportunity for competitive advantage. Follow-up emails continue to be a great retargeting tool.
When you launch a campaign, you can track the number of opens and replies for each email. To determine which subject lines for follow-up emails generate the most engagement.