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The forbidden words in subject lines that kill your emails - and how AI can help

Emails are a powerful tool in modern marketing, but did you know that certain words in the subject line can send your emails straight to the trash? Yes, you heard right. A small mistake in the subject line can mean that your carefully crafted message never sees the light of the inbox. In this article, you'll learn all about the forbidden words that kill your emails and how to avoid your messages being deleted unread. We'll also show you how AI can help with subject line generation. So, buckle up and let's dive into the world of perfect subject lines!
Why are certain words in the subject line so dangerous? The answer lies in the email providers' algorithms. These algorithms scan your subject line for clues as to whether your email could be spam. If you use certain keywords, your email will most likely be marked as spam and end up in the unwanted folder. We'll show you which words these are and how to design your subject line so that your email is sure to land in the inbox. Stay tuned and learn the best tips and tricks to increase your open rate!

Why certain words in subject lines are dangerous

Email marketing is a powerful tool that can strengthen your business relationships and increase your sales. But there is a hidden trap that many people overlook: the subject line. Certain words in the subject line can send your emails straight to the spam folder, drastically reducing your open rates. But why is that?

Email providers' algorithms are programmed to detect and filter out spam emails. These algorithms analyze each subject line and decide whether the email seems trustworthy or suspicious. Certain words and phrases commonly used by spammers are blacklisted by these algorithms. Words like "free," "buy now," or "urgent" are red flags for these filters and will cause your email to end up in the spam folder before the recipient has even seen it.
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Another important point is the negative association that some words evoke. Words that sound too aggressive or salesy will put off recipients. No one wants to feel like they are being forced to do something. That's why it's crucial to write subject lines that arouse interest and curiosity without being too pushy.

The length of the subject line also matters. Long and cumbersome subject lines look unprofessional and can also lead to your email being ignored. A concise and engaging subject line, on the other hand, increases the likelihood that your email will be opened.

The most common banned words and their alternatives

When it comes to keeping your emails out of the spam folder, choosing the right words in the subject line is crucial. Certain words and phrases act like magnets for spam filters and can send your carefully crafted messages into digital nirvana. Here are some of the most common banned words and their smarter alternatives:

1. Free

Forbidden:

For free
Free
For free

Alternative:

No costs
Free of charge
To us
The term "free" is a red flag for spam filters. Instead, you can phrase the same message more subtly. Instead of "Free shipping," write "Shipping on us."

2. Urgent

Forbidden:

Urgent
Hurry
Immediately

Alternative:

Now
Today
Do not miss
Words like "urgent" or "immediately" set off alarm bells - both for spam filters and for recipients. "Now" or "Don't miss it" sound less intrusive but still have a powerful impact.

3. Winner

Forbidden:

winner
Contest
Price

Alternative:

Your chance
Exclusive opportunity
Special offer
These terms are often used in fraudulent emails and are therefore blacklisted. Instead, use terms that arouse interest without sounding exaggerated.

4. Money back

Forbidden:

winner
Contest
Price

Alternative:

Your chance
Exclusive opportunity
Special offer
While a refund is positive news, these terms are often used in dubious contexts. Reword the guarantee so that it inspires trust but doesn't get marked as spam.

5. Offer

Forbidden:

Offer
special offer
Discount

Alternative:

special price
Exclusive for you
The only chance
Deals and discounts are ubiquitous in advertising, but they should be used more cautiously in emails. Instead, you can highlight the value of the offer without directly using those sensitive words.
It is essential to find the balance between attractiveness and seriousness. Use words that arouse the reader's curiosity, but avoid exaggerated or suspicious terms. This will increase the chances that your emails will be opened and read.

Tips and tricks for successful subject lines

A good subject line can make the difference between an email that gets opened and one that gets ignored. Here are some tried-and-tested tips and tricks to craft your subject lines to pique your recipients' curiosity and increase your open rates:

1. Personalization

Personalized subject lines have been proven to have higher open rates. Use the recipient's name or refer to past interactions. For example: "Michael, don't miss our latest innovations in engineering."

2. Arouse curiosity

Subject lines that arouse curiosity entice recipients to open the email to learn more. Write your subject lines in a way that raises questions or hints at secrets. For example, "What you need to know about the latest machine trends."

3. Highlight benefits

Show the added value of your email directly in the subject line. What will the recipient get out of opening your email? Example: "Increase your production efficiency with these tips."

4. Create urgency

A subtle urgency can increase open rates, but avoid aggressive or sensationalist terms. Instead of "Urgent: Open Now!" you could use "Don't miss the opportunity."

5. Be clear and concise

A good subject line is short and to the point. Email clients often only display the first 50 characters of the subject line. Make sure your most important information is at the beginning.

6. Ask questions

Questions in the subject line can spark interest and encourage the reader to interact. For example: "Do you want to know how to optimize your machine maintenance?".

7. Use emojis wisely

Emojis can add color and emotion to your subject line, but use them sparingly and only when they fit the content. For example: "🌟 Exclusive offers for your machines 🌟".

8. Conduct A/B tests

Test different subject lines to see which one works best. A/B testing helps you better understand your audience's preferences and continuously improve your subject lines.

9. Avoid spam words

As mentioned above, avoid words that spam filters consider suspicious. Stay creative and phrase your message in a way that makes it seem interesting and professional.

10. Use storytelling

Tell a short story or start one that continues throughout the email. This can pique the reader's curiosity and make them want to read on. For example, "How we helped a client cut their production costs in half."
A well-thought-out subject line is key to the success of your email campaigns. With these tips and tricks, you can ensure your emails are not only opened, but also read and appreciated.

AI automation for subject line generation

In today's digital world, artificial intelligence (AI) plays an increasingly important role in marketing, and subject line creation is no exception. Imagine being able to use AI to automatically generate the best subject lines for your email campaigns. Not only does this save you time, but it can also significantly increase the effectiveness of your campaigns.

How does AI automation work?

AI-based subject line generation works by analyzing large amounts of data and identifying patterns that lead to successful subject lines. The AI software can analyze past email campaigns and find out which subject lines achieved the highest open rates. Based on this data, the AI can suggest new, optimized subject lines.

Benefits of AI-powered subject line generation

1. Time saving
Manually creating subject lines can be time-consuming. With AI, you can generate a large number of subject lines in no time, saving you valuable time.

2. Data-driven
AI uses real data and analytics to create subject lines based on proven success strategies, increasing the likelihood that your emails will be opened

3. creativity
AI can identify patterns and make suggestions you might not have considered. This can lead to more creative and engaging subject lines.

4. personalization
Modern AI systems can personalize subject lines by including the recipient's name or other relevant information. This increases the relevance and open rate of your emails.

5. Continuous improvement
AI is constantly learning. With each new campaign and each new dataset, the AI becomes smarter and can suggest even better subject lines. This leads to a continuous improvement of your email marketing strategy.

A practical example

Imagine you have an email campaign for a new, state-of-the-art CNC machining center that you want to introduce in your engineering company. You give the AI some basic information like the subject of the email and your target audience. The AI analyzes this information and suggests several subject lines. Here are three compelling variations:
"Michael, discover our revolutionary CNC machining center!"
This subject line speaks directly to the recipient and highlights the innovative product.

"Optimize your production with our latest CNC machining center"
This variant focuses on the benefits and optimization of production processes.

"Your efficiency on the next level: Our new CNC machining center"
This subject line emphasizes the improvement in efficiency that the new product offers.
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You can then review the suggested subject lines and select the one that best suits your campaign.

Using AI to generate subject lines is a powerful tool that can significantly improve your email marketing strategy. It saves time, increases effectiveness, and allows you to create more creative and personalized subject lines. In a world where every second counts and the competition is just a click away, the right subject line can make all the difference.

How to make your subject lines irresistible

An effective email subject line can make the difference between a successful campaign and a missed opportunity. Avoid the typical mistakes, rely on personalization and take advantage of AI to always generate the best subject lines. By continuously measuring and adapting your strategies, you will always stay on track for success and ensure that your emails are read and appreciated. If you need support in optimizing your email marketing strategies, we are at your side as an experienced service provider. Our experts will help you develop customized solutions that increase your open rates and bring your messages directly to the heart of your target group. Contact us today and take your email marketing to the next level!
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