BackMarch 2, 2026
Cold Email Subject Lines That Get Opened
Before/after. Templates. Limits. No fluff.
subject linecold emailopen rateemail copyBefore vs After
Bad
Quick question
Good
Quick question about [Business Name]'s website
Why
Generic vs specific
Bad
Partnership opportunity
Good
Saw your Google listing - one suggestion
Why
Spammy vs curiosity
Bad
Hi from John - web design services
Good
[City] businesses without sites - you're one of few left
Why
Pitch-first vs observation
Template Patterns
[Observation] + [Question]
"Noticed [Business] has no website - is that intentional?"
Blanks: business name, specific observation
[Their detail] + [One thing]
"Your [City] listing - quick idea"
Blanks: location or category
Re: [Topic they care about]
"Re: getting more customers from Google"
Blanks: their pain point
Limits
40-50
Character count
Mobile truncates around 40
6-8 words
Word count
Short beats long
FAQ
Should I use the business name in the subject?
Often helps. It signals personalization and stands out. But don't force it; 'Quick idea for [City] plumbers' can work without the name.
What about emoji in subject lines?
Risky for cold B2B. Some say it boosts opens; others say it looks unprofessional. Test on your list.
Is 'Re:' or 'Fwd:' deceptive?
Using 'Re:' when there's no prior thread can feel like trickery. Some recipients react badly. Use with caution.