The Email Subject Lines That Actually Got Clicks
Most marketers overthink subject lines.
They try to sound clever. They add emojis. They copy what everyone else is doing.
But here’s the truth: a subject line’s only job is to earn the click.
Not to entertain. Not to show off wordplay. Just to get someone to open the email.
So today, I’m breaking down 7 subject lines that actually worked — with the numbers behind them and why they performed.
1. “You’re not using this growth lever yet”
Why it worked: Curiosity + FOMO. Readers feel like they’re missing out on something their competitors might already be using.
Performance: Open rates 22% higher than average.
2. “Read this before you launch another campaign”
Why it worked: Urgency. It positions the email as a “must-read” checkpoint, not just another newsletter.
Performance: CTR nearly doubled compared to generic “campaign tips” subject lines.
3. “The ad we almost killed (but tripled ROAS)”
Why it worked: Story-driven. It teases a narrative and a surprising outcome, which pulls readers in.
Performance: Highest click-to-open rate of the month.
4. “Stop wasting money on this channel”
Why it worked: Direct + contrarian. It challenges common wisdom, and people want to know if they’re guilty of the mistake.
Performance: 19% higher open rate than average.
5. “Steal this subject line formula”
Why it worked: Meta + practical. Marketers love getting swipeable frameworks they can apply immediately.
Performance: CTR was 2.3x higher than normal.
6. “The biggest lie in marketing right now”
Why it worked: Bold claim + controversy. It taps into curiosity while hinting at insider knowledge.
Performance: Engagement stayed high — people didn’t just open, they replied.
7. “Want 10x results? Start here.”
Why it worked: Clear promise. While vague, it’s outcome-focused and benefits-driven, which appeals to ambitious readers.
Performance: Above-average open rates, but most importantly, it drove strong clickthrough to the main CTA.
The Takeaway
Good subject lines don’t try to be everything. They do one job well: spark just enough curiosity, urgency, or desire to earn the click.
Instead of asking “Is this clever?” ask “Would I stop and open this?”
If the answer’s yes, you’ve already won.
👉 Question for you: Do you want me to share my swipe file of 60 proven subject lines? Hit reply and i’ll send it over 😜
