e-mail subject line

September 21, 2005 10:51 AM

I need to send to send an e-mail to some ex-colleagues requesting that they join an entrepreneurial network. Are there some principles for creating an effective e-mail subject line that will increase my chances of having them open my e-mail?
posted by Xurando to computers & internet (15 comments total)

Omitting the subject line entirely will almost ensure that they open it.
posted by odinsdream at 10:53 AM on September 21, 2005

So, uh, you're trying to make sure that they open spam?
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 10:54 AM on September 21, 2005

If your name isn't already in your email address, "From Xurando" might be useful. Then they'll know it's not spam...it's from you.
posted by leapingsheep at 10:54 AM on September 21, 2005

You want me to help you to get your "ex-colleagues" to open spam? No thanks.

If this is legit, then you should just be able to call your ex-colleagues on the phone instead.
posted by grouse at 10:56 AM on September 21, 2005

So, how's Amway working out for you?
posted by Optamystic at 10:58 AM on September 21, 2005

Title it "An Invitation from [your full name]"

If its not spam this will work for you and continue to work for you. They will open it because they know and trust you, right? ;)

If you are sending spam, this may not work so well and certainly wont work the second time.
posted by vacapinta at 11:09 AM on September 21, 2005

Title it: A business invitation from...

That way they'll know it's spam and can decide if they respect you enough to open it.
posted by OmieWise at 11:23 AM on September 21, 2005

I'm confused, if they know you, won't they open an email from you?
posted by delmoi at 11:25 AM on September 21, 2005

If it's that important, use a phone or snailmail.
posted by mischief at 11:55 AM on September 21, 2005

You could try titling it as this:

1oo% N0T ML/\/\! M$O$N$E$Y MAKER GU@R@NT33D! DON'T M155 OUT!

That should at least get it categorized properly.
posted by shepd at 11:55 AM on September 21, 2005

Why wouldn't your ex-colleagues open email from you?
posted by Optimus Chyme at 11:57 AM on September 21, 2005

Yeah, I think I'm going to pro-actively add you to my blacklist.
posted by Pigpen at 12:07 PM on September 21, 2005

are you talking about one of those linked-in, social networking things that generate their own invitation mail and send it off on your behalf? i would think first sending a personal email saying "head's up! i'm asking you to join this networking group and you'll be getting the join email with link shortly. please open it and check it out." would keep them from junking the email without looking at it, provided they have any interest in business networking through online social networking groups.
posted by crush-onastick at 12:09 PM on September 21, 2005

I make the assumption that most people are like me and don't open e-mail no matter who it's from unless the subject is of interest. This is not spam (in reading my post it sounded like spam, I apologize) and the note will be sent to about 20 people I know. The contents are personally important to me so I want to make sure that that it is at least read by most of the addressees.
posted by Xurando at 5:46 PM on September 21, 2005

I'd put something like "A business email from , formerly of ". That way, people know it's business-related (and can turf or not turf), they know your name and, if they don't recognize it, they can at least see you worked together.
posted by acoutu at 6:07 PM on September 21, 2005