This blog was updated on 10 April 2025, for more information connect with our team: https://www.easystore.co/contact 

5 Common Email Subject Line Mistakes That Can Kill Your Open Rates

The subject line of your email is your first (and often only) chance to grab someone’s attention. 

With just a few words, it needs to spark curiosity, build trust, and give readers a reason to click. 

However, if not crafted carefully, your subject line could be the reason your email ends up ignored—or worse, in the spam folder.

Here are five common mistakes to avoid when writing your newsletter subject lines:

1. Writing Subject Lines That Are Too Long

While it might be tempting to explain everything upfront, a subject line should be short and punchy—ideally under 10 words. 

Long subject lines often get cut off, especially on mobile devices, and your recipients may lose interest before even opening your email. 

Keep it concise and compelling.

2. Misspelled Words

A typo in your subject line can instantly make you look unprofessional. 

Even one incorrect letter can change the entire meaning of your message.

Example:What you meant: “30% off all fur coats!”What you sent: “30% off all far coats!”

Always double-check for spelling and grammatical errors before hitting send.

3. Irrelevant Subject Lines

Make sure your subject line accurately reflects your email content. Misleading your recipients—even unintentionally—can damage your credibility.

Example:If your subject says “5 Easy-to-Use Logo Makers,” but your email is actually a paid subscription pitch, you risk losing trust. 

Always deliver what you promise.

4. Overusing the Word “Urgent”

Creating urgency is an effective marketing tactic, but using the word “urgent” in your subject line can come across as disingenuous or overly aggressive—especially if there’s no real urgency.

Unless your message truly requires immediate attention, skip it. Overusing urgency can desensitize your readers and reduce your credibility over time.

5. Using Spam Trigger Words

Certain words and phrases are known to trigger spam filters, sending your email straight to the junk folder. These include terms like “Free,” “Guaranteed,” “Act Now,” and more.

To avoid this, check out this list of spam trigger words and keep it handy when writing your subject lines.

Conclusion

Your email subject line can make or break your campaign. Keep it short, relevant, and typo-free. 

Avoid clickbait and spammy language. With a little care, you’ll be more likely to earn those opens—and the trust of your audience.

Make Customers Love Buying From You

EasyStore empowers your brand to prioritize customers and enhance their experience, creating a unified customer experience (UCX) that makes customers love buying from you.

Over 50,000 brands have grown their businesses by embracing unified customer experiences (UCX) strategy through EasyStore across multiple sales channels - online store, retail outlets, marketplaces, and social media, ensuring consistency in product and service offerings for a seamless shopping journey.