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28 Subject Lines That Will Get That Networking Email Opened

Sujan Patel

Sujan Patel is the founder of Mailshake, a sales engagement software used by 38,000 sales and marketing professionals. He has over 15 years of marketing experience and has led the digital marketing strategy for companies like Salesforce, Mint, Intuit and many other Fortune 500 caliber companies.

Read more articles by Sujan Patel →

• March 1, 2024

There’s a right way – and a wrong way – to write subject lines for every kind of email. Some types, like networking emails, often get pushed aside in favor of something more ‘important’. But the fact is, sending an email to someone you met at a recent conference can be just as crucial as a sales email. After all, networking events can mean huge opportunities for your business.

The networking email is a great way to connect with experts in your field, colleagues, or other individuals you would like to get to know better. A networking email strategy requires both an introduction and a timely follow-up email with a subject line that grabs your recipient’s attention and keeps it.

Just like a headline should sell a story, a subject line should inspire action. Around 35% of email recipients open an email based on the subject line alone, while 69% of email recipients report email as spam based on that same subject line.

To keep your email out of your recipient’s spam folder or trash, it’s critical to perfect the art of the networking subject line.

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

As you’re reading, watch for tips and tricks about how Mailshake can automate your processes, minimize your headaches and, most importantly, save you time.

The Key to Networking Subject Line Success: Personalization and Thoughtfulness

The majority of marketers say that targeted personalization increases customer engagement. Personalized emails improve click-through rates by an average of 14% and conversions by 10%, and emails with personalized email subject lines are 26% more likely to be opened.

Even though the individual receiving your networking email might not be a customer, it will still have a positive impact. That’s because using the recipient’s name or mentioning an interest of theirs shows that time and effort were put into creating the email. Generic emails and responses can be sent to anyone, but personalized emails are unique and thoughtful. Remember, personalization drives connection.

To create this connection, you have to focus on learning more about others and discovering how to speak their language. In other words, you have to put the recipient first.

SPECIAL ORDER

Personalize your networking emails with ease using Mailshake’s mail merge feature to fill in names, companies and other personal details about your recipients.

Automate Your Outreach

Building a network via email outreach requires balancing personalization with volume.

“Spraying and praying” will come off as inauthentic, exactly the opposite of what you’re trying to do when you’re networking. On the other hand, you realistically need to be connecting with enough people for your network to grow at a meaningful rate.

That’s why an email automation platform is essential to creating an effective, scalable networking email outreach sequence.

With Mailshake, you can:

• Personalize your emails in bulk with powerful mail merge features
• Reply to leads straight from your Mailshake dashboard with Lead Catcher
• Schedule follow-up emails that are paused or triggered based on whether a recipient opens an email, clicks a link or replies
• Set the amount of time between follow-ups (5 days between the first and second email, 7 days between the second and third, etc.), and the days and times you want them to send (for instance, between 8 am and 6 pm on weekdays)

These tools make it easy to optimize your copy and overall outreach strategy by A/B testing different email subject lines, body copy, and full campaign sequences. And with native integrations to your CRM, and third-party integrations to hundreds of software tools via Zapier, you can automate your outreach even further by triggering campaigns when someone downloads an eBook, books a meeting, or signs up for a demo.

If social media and the phone are a part of your outreach cadence, you can include those touchpoints in your outreach sequences, as well.

A BLENDED APPROACH

Include phone calls in your outreach sequences using Mailshake Dialer.

Bottom line: personalization and scale are both absolutely essential to an effective outreach strategy and should be a main goal for you, but there’s no reason why you can’t automate it.

Best Practices for Writing an Eye-Catching Email Subject Line

Here are some general rules to follow when crafting an email subject line. Follow these guidelines, and you’ll increase your chances of getting a quick response. (Don’t make these bad email mistakes!)

No time for careful crafting? Throw your subject line and email into our email copy analyzer to get real-time analysis and improvements.

Keep Your Headline Short and Attention-Grabbing

The ideal length for subject lines should be around three to four words, or about 17-40 characters in length. This length both keeps the email recipient’s attention and keeps your subject line from getting cut off in the subject line preview. Although this length will vary by email application and device, it’s a good rule of thumb to follow.

Make It Personal

A recent study showed that subject lines with the recipient’s name increased the chances of the email being opened by nearly 50%. It’s an easy way to get the point across that this email is personal and relevant to them.

If you don’t feel comfortable using their name yet, especially if they are a complete stranger, try to add something personal and relevant to them in your subject line. For example, you could use the title of a recent publication they wrote for or mention a common interest you share.

When Following Up, Spark Their Memory

In your follow-up email subject lines, be sure to reference your past meeting or conversation. This helps your recipient remember who you are, and what steps you had hoped to take next.

Use the strategies above, and keep your email short and personal. If you didn’t feel comfortable using their name before, follow-up emails are a great opportunity to try it out.

And finally, avoid the words “invite,” “join” and “confirm.” Ironically, these words have been shown to be highly ineffective in email subject lines.

THE RIGHT FLAVOR

Emails with hard-to-read or spammy language are likely to get sent to Promotions or Spam. Mailshake’s Email Copy Analyzer provides real-time feedback and suggestions for improving deliverability and readability.

28 Examples of Email Subject Lines to Try

Introduction Email Subject Lines

What’s one of the first things you do when meeting someone new? Chances are, it involves a handshake. Consider your introduction email to be the handshake between you and the other person. You can’t look them in the eye, but you can deliver a first glance using a personalized intro email.

The intro email does more than just communicate your name. It sets the stage for future communication and helps the reader get to know you better. As the start of what could be a meaningful relationship, this email is important to nail. And it all starts with a compelling subject line.

Subject Line #1: Fellow [insert interest here] who would love to connect

Vague subject lines are often considered spammy. The first step is to create a subject line that states exactly what the goal of the email is, before the reader even opens it. The second step is to personalize to set your email apart. This subject line uses a common interest to drive connection and grab the reader’s attention.

It’s the perfect line for a warm lead or someone you already have some sort of connection with. Keep an eye on their social media to find common ground. Did your reader recently share a blog post about knitting? “Fellow knitting enthusiast here who would love to connect” is the perfect opening line.

Subject Line #2: Interested in learning more about your recent article on [insert publication]!

Everyone likes to be recognized for their accomplishments. The perfect way to warm up an email is to do a quick search or visit your reader’s LinkedIn page to find articles and blog posts they’ve written or were featured in. The key here is to find one you particularly enjoyed and want to know more about. This will ensure your email is genuine and doesn’t sound forced.

Reading their recent article, blog post or book shows that you’ve taken the time to learn more about them, prior to reaching out. It shows effort and gives them even more reason to return the favor.

Subject Line #3: Looking for advice from a [insert industry here] expert

Most individuals are more than happy to give advice and help others with their know-how. It’s empowering and builds confidence. Subject line #3 gets your email opened by piquing the recipient’s interest about what you’re going to ask. This kind of email subject line is beneficial to you as well, as you’ll likely learn something new in addition to gaining a new networking relationship.

The best part? This subject line works for all industries, from marketing to the manufacturing industry. But before you hit send, make sure you’re asking a clear question that gives them something to respond to, and that you’re genuinely interested in the answer. Simply using this subject line to entice and not gain advice is a recipe for spam.

Subject Line #4: I totally admire the [insert thought, idea or opinion] you shared

Connecting with someone is easier when you share a common idea, thought or opinion. This subject line tells the reader that you follow them, agree with them and just want to give them a boost of confidence – even if the email asks for more. The key is to find like-minded individuals who share common ground.

Susan Ward of The Balance states:

“Most business people are optimistic and positive. Regularly associating with such people can be a great morale boost, particularly in the difficult early phases of a new business. If you are not naturally outgoing, regularly meeting new people can also boost your confidence and on a personal basis you may form new friendships with like-minded people.”

Follow-Up Subject Lines

Did you know that 70% of unanswered email chains stop after just one message? That means that most senders give up after the first try.

Whether you’re sending sales emails or a networking email, the key to success is the same: You must place priority on the follow-up. Once again, subject lines sell emails.

Like the initial email, your follow-up email should have a subject line that’s just as inspiring. You want to use the right hook that keeps people’s attention. The use of a catchy subject line is just one of the key components for the purpose of a networking email.

Subject Line #5: Loved our chat. Just following up from [insert place].

The follow-up email is also important to send after phone calls, meetups, in-person introductions and networking events. After a good first impression or, better yet, a great conversation with someone, you don’t want to send email content that diminishes the initial conversation. Instead, use a follow-up email to emphasize it.

Start by reminding the reader how much you enjoyed your conversation. This is a great example of breaking the ice even further. It establishes gratitude from the beginning and adds warmth to your email. Then, clue your reader in to who they’re receiving an email from by mentioning the event you spoke at or the coffee shop you met at.

Subject Line #6: Hey [insert recipient’s name], this is [insert your name]

It can’t get any simpler than this. Effective subject lines get straight to the point but add a higher level of personalization by using both your name and the reader’s name. It takes the guesswork out of who sent the email, getting it opened instead of lost in the spam folder. It also adds a level of mystery, enticing your reader to click to discover what could be inside.

Subject Line #7: I enjoyed our meeting at [insert place]. I’d love to reconnect!

Just like the example above, this subject line helps differentiate who you are from the start by adding the location of your last communication. It also tells your reader that you enjoyed that connection and would love to do it again sometime. Plus, this follow-up states your goal from the beginning, before they even click to open.

Subject Line #8: Hey there, [insert name]!

We have seen the “hello again” email in our own inboxes before. To keep things fresh, this line is a spin-off of that subject line, adding a bit of personalization that looks less spammy and more intentional. It’s simple and effective, perfect for the busy lifestyle of a business owner.

Subject Line #9: Congrats on your recent [insert accomplishment]!

A simple congratulations message that acknowledges an accomplishment can go a long way in making a connection. It shows that you took the time to learn about something important to your recipient and gives a hint of your own interests.

Subject Line #10: Interested in collaborating on a [insert project/idea]?

This subject line tells your reader that you’re interested in forming a professional relationship through collaboration and value their opinion and expertise — an excellent way to build rapport.

An example could be “Interested in collaborating on a revolutionary marketing strategy?”

Subject Line #11: Invitation to join the [insert industry] network.

Networks are incredibly powerful resources. Inviting someone to join yours is a great way to flatter someone and kick off a new relationship.

So, let’s say you’re already a part of a business networking group. You use something like: “Invitation to join my Business Networking Group”.

Subject Line #12: Quick question about your experience with/in [insert industry, company, or a person].

Using this subject line is a great way to show a potential contact that you’re seeking their advice, which can make them feel special and give them an incentive to answer your email.

Subject Line #13: Looking for advice on starting a business in [insert industry or market]?

Starting a business is hard, but having the right people by your side can make it much easier. Showing your contacts that you’re looking for advice is a great way to draw them in and start engaging with them right off the bat.

Subject Line #14: Learn how I can help you with [insert task]

Offering to lend a helping hand can be an excellent way to open up a conversation and make introductions. Why not show potential contacts that you’re willing to help them out by offering your assistance with a specific task?

Subject Line #15: Would love your feedback on my new project [insert project’s name]

This is another great way to get a response from your contacts. Asking for feedback shows that you value their opinion and makes them more likely to engage with you.

Subject Line #16: Have you heard about [insert a product, news, or an idea]?

This subject line works best for introducing new ideas, products, or services to potential contacts. It is a great way to spark their curiosity and start a conversation.

Subject Line #17: Hey, [name], allow me to introduce myself.

It can’t get any simpler than this. Give a friendly introduction and let your contacts know who you are. It’s a great way to kick-off the conversation.

Subject Line #18: Connecting with other professionals in the [insert industry] space

Acknowledging your interest in connecting with other professionals in the same industry can be an excellent way to make new connections.

Subject Line #19: I follow you on [platform] and I’d love to connect with you further.

You often want to connect with people you already follow on social media. Letting them know that you’re a fan of their work is an easy way to break the ice.

Subject Line #20: Any chance you have a minute to chat about [insert an idea, product, or a plan]?

This subject line is a great way to ask for advice or opinion on something you’re working on. It shows your potential contacts that you value their expertise and establishes a more personal connection with them.

Subject Line #21: Could you help me out with a quick [insert topic] question?

This is similar to the previous subject line, but it is geared towards asking specific questions. It allows you to ask for advice or information without making your reader feel like they have to write a lengthy response.

Subject Line #22: Reaching out to you via [name of the person who referred]

Bringing in a mutual connection helps to quickly establish a level of trust. If someone you know referred you to your recipient, use this subject line to indicate it and increase the chances of a response.

Subject Line #23: Found a great resource on [insert topic], thought of you!

Sending someone a great resource is a nice gesture to show that you’re paying attention to their work. Just keep in mind that the resource you’re sending is relevant and useful to the recipient.

Follow-Up Subject Lines Examples

Subject Line #24: Did you get a chance to check out the resource I sent?

This follow-up subject line works great for tracking whether someone has read or watched an item you sent them. It also shows that you’re interested in their opinion and allows you to start a conversation about it.

Subject Line #25: Let’s grab coffee soon, [name]!

Extending an invitation to meet for coffee is a great way to connect with someone in person.

Subject Line #26: Let’s catch up!

If you want to follow up with someone in a friendly and direct manner, this is a great subject line. It’s also casual enough that it won’t come off as overly aggressive.

Subject Line #27: Will you be attending [the event]?

Let’s say you’ve recently met someone at an art conference. You can use this subject line as a chance to follow up and check if they’ll be attending the upcoming art exhibition. This gives you an opportunity to keep the conversation going and further build your network.

Subject Line #28: Checking in since we last spoke

This subject line is perfect for following up with someone who you’ve already had a conversation with. It shows that you value the connection and would like to maintain it.

Get the Conversation Going

Whether you’re sending an introduction email or you’re following up, the goal of a networking email is to get the conversation going. Using email personalization can do three key things:

• Make the subject line stand out as highly relevant and important
• Increase the likelihood of an email being opened
• Strengthen the reader’s experience

The perfect networking email subject line captures attention, speaks directly to your reader and inspires action. And the perfect networking subject line should include personalization. Using these examples will ensure that your communication builds a new relationship instead of ending up in the trash.