If you’re struggling with finding effective email subject headings to promote your business, here are a few guidelines to follow:

A great way to capture a viewer’s attention is to ask them a question. But make sure the question is pointed, so it will obtain the answer you’re looking for. “What’s the most effective way to market your business?” is a good heading for business owners. Think about it: what company President wouldn’t be interested in promoting their business? Or, if your business is a gym or in the health-related field, use a subject heading like “How to lose 10 pounds in Three Weeks” to make it interesting. It’s vital that your subject heading means something to the viewer.

Try using a witty subject heading that will capture the reader’s attention. If done correctly, the viewer will become curios. They’ll want to read more, and will open your letter. Writing in this fashion requires a measure of creativity, and your email needs to come through on its promise.

If clever headings aren’t what you’re looking for, try the direct approach. What works effectively is to list precisely what you want your viewer to know. Examples of such a method are, “Sale on bedsheets this weekend,” “Award-winning pianist to play live this Saturday” and so on. This straightforward method works very well when you can cater directly to your viewer’s tastes. It’s also an effective method when sending an e-newsletter.

When someone gets your e-mail, the first thing they will think of is “what do I get from it?” Then they have a choice to make: should they open your e-mail or chuck it in the spam box? If there’s nothing in the subject heading that explains why it’s worth taking the time to read your letter, then their choice will already have been made. Keep that in mind when creating each of your e-mails, especially the subject line. It’s all about the reader; they understand this, and so should you.

Don’t know which method to use? Try experimenting a little, trying them all. Choose the one you think will get the most attention from your audience. Whichever method you choose, it’s always a good idea to spending that extra time to write a fantastic subject line (here are some ideas that you can use). Remember, if your viewers don’t even open your e-mail, they won’t even have the chance to see what you can offer them.