With most sales requiring at least four follow-ups, the follow-up email subject line is one of the things a prospect sees most frequently. That’s why it’s so important to get it right.
Sales reps need to remember that although the subject line is a seemingly small part of the overall message, it’s the first thing the reader sees. It can make or break an opportunity in a split second, and sales reps should consider it carefully.
In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about how to write an irresistible follow-up email subject line that makes your message stand out from the crowd and encourages the recipient to open it.
Sending follow up emails is a crucial part of any email outreach campaign. But getting your follow up email opened can be challenging.
That’s why having an effective follow up email subject line is so important.
Studies show that subject lines can make up to 50% difference in open rates. So optimizing your follow up email subject lines should be a priority.
In this comprehensive guide, I will share 16 proven examples of follow up email subject lines that drive opens.
These subject line examples are based on real-world testing and expertise from leading marketers. I’ll also explain the psychology and tactics behind these effective subject lines so you can create your own.
Let’s dive in!
Why Follow Up Email Subject Lines Matter
Let’s first understand why follow up email subject lines are critical to your outreach success.
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Follow ups convert better Sending follow up emails can double your response rate But recipients need to open your follow ups first,
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Subject lines drive opens. On average, subject lines influence open rates by up to 50%. Strong subject lines get your emails opened.
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First impressions matter. Subject lines create the first impression of your outreach. A compelling subject line piques interest and curiosity.
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Opens lead to replies. Open rates strongly correlate with response rates. Subject lines that generate opens ultimately lead to more conversions.
So optimizing your follow up email subject lines is vital for outreach success.
Now let’s look at some proven examples you can use.
1. Refer to Your Previous Conversation
Referencing your previous conversation is an easy way to jog the prospect’s memory and remind them of your outreach.
For example:
- Following up on our chat
- Circling back on [company]
- Regarding our conversation
This works well as most email clients now group follow up emails in the same thread. So your prospect can instantly tie your new email back to the initial outreach.
2. Highlight Remaining Action Items
Pointing out any outstanding action items from your last conversation focuses your prospect’s attention.
For example:
- Finalizing next steps
- Closing the loop on [topic]
- Addressing your questions
This reminds your prospect of any obligations they may have to move the discussion forward.
3. Pose an Open-Ended Question
Asking an open-ended question sparks curiosity and interest in your follow up.
For example:
- Got a minute to discuss [topic]?
- Any updates re: [topic]?
- Have you reconsidered [ proposal]?
This engages the prospect and compels them to open your email to answer the question.
4. Offer New Information
Presenting new information suggests your follow up contains something useful for the prospect.
For example:
- New data on [topic]
- Developments regarding [topic]
- Further insights into [topic]
This entices the prospect to open your email to get this new intel.
5. Use Time Constraints
Creating a sense of urgency can motivate your prospect to open your follow up sooner.
For example:
- Ends Tuesday: [offer]
- 24 hours left: [deal]
- Last chance: [promotion]
But use time limitation claims truthfully and avoid sounding pushy.
6. Remind of Deadlines
Politely reminding your prospect of impending deadlines keeps your outreach top of mind.
For example:
- Friendly reminder: [deadline]
- Following up re: [deadline]
- Gentle ping on [deadline]
Again, tread carefully to not seem overly pushy about deadlines.
7. Summarize Key Benefits
Briefly summarizing the key benefits you offer reminds prospects of the potential value.
For example:
- Driving 30% more revenue
- Cutting costs by 40%
- Improving conversion 20%
Focus on the most compelling stats and facts.
8. Spotlight Social Proof
Highlighting impressive social proof or testimonials suggests credibility and authority.
For example:
- 100k+ customers use us
- Featured in Forbes and TechCrunch
- Loved by DoorDash, Uber, etc.
Make sure to only share truthful claims supported by hard evidence.
9. Use Personalization
Adding personal details relevant to the prospect makes your subject line stand out.
For example:
- Hope you enjoyed [event], [name]!
- Following up on [company]
- Hey [name], curious your thoughts on [topic]
But avoid overly familiar language, especially if you don’t know the prospect well.
10. Try a Call to Action
Adding a call to action creates a clear behavior prompt for your prospect.
For example:
- Ready to discuss [topic]?
- Click here to get [offer]
- Sign up for [event] now
Keep your CTA simple, direct, and descriptive.
11. Highlight Relevance
Emphasizing how your follow up directly relates to the prospect shows tailored value.
For example:
- Re: [company’s] growth goals
- About improving [company’s] conversions
- Regarding [company’s] challenges with [topic]
Demonstrate you understand their specific needs and interests.
12. Promise New Advice
Offering helpful advice implies your follow up brings tangible value.
For example:
- Tips to cut costs by 40%
- Our advice for improving [metric]
- Expert guidance on [topic]
But ensure you deliver on the promised advice within your email content.
13. Try an Incentive
Leading with a compelling limited-time incentive can persuade opens.
For example:
- Last chance: 50% off [offer]
- 24 hours left: [bonus] deal
- Exclusive discount inside!
Just be sure the incentive is truly exclusive and urgent.
14. Ask for Quick Feedback
Soliciting quick feedback makes responding seem fast and easy.
For example:
- [Yes/No] re: [topic]?
- 30 sec request: your thoughts?
- Quick question on [topic]
Though be prepared and willing to accept a “No” response too.
15. Use Newsjacking
Tying your follow up to a recent news event that interests your prospect makes it timely.
For example:
- Thoughts on [news event]?
- How [news] affects [company]
- Re: [news], have you considered [idea]?
Choose news they would reasonably care about and offer a relevant viewpoint.
16. Try Humor (Carefully)
Injecting some light humor can help your follow up stand out while building rapport.
For example:
- Hope this email doesn’t get marked as spam again!
- Third time’s the charm
- Persistence pays off…hopefully
But humor is very subjective, so test lightly first before going too bold.
Best Practices for Follow Up Email Subject Lines
When crafting effective follow up email subject lines, keep these proven best practices in mind:
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Keep it short – Long subject lines get cut off on mobile. Stick under 50 characters.
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Add personalization – Include relevant details like name, company, role to stand out.
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Ask questions – Compelling questions entice opens by sparking curiosity.
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Avoid desperation – Don’t sound overly pushy or aggressive in tone.
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Use urgency sparingly – Time limitations work but avoid sounding sales-y.
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Always be relevant – Focus on topics and details that specifically interest your prospects.
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Promote value – Summarize key benefits and highlight incentives if truly compelling.
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Be authentic – Don’t make claims you can’t back up. Avoid hype.
Track and Test Your Follow Up Email Subject Lines
To keep improving your follow up email subject lines, be sure to track open and response rates.
Many email tools allow you to A/B test different subject lines to see which perform best.
Pay attention to trends in your response metrics to identify your highest converting subject lines. Then refine and optimize based on learnings.
Strong follow up email subject lines are vital for outreach success. Use these examples and best practices to boost open rates and responses.
What other follow up email subject line examples have worked for you? Share your experiences in the comments below!
Follow-Up Email Subject Line Formula
Great subject lines have been shown to generate open rates of over 85% . That’s pretty outstanding when you consider that the average email open rate is only 12% – 25%.
Here’s how to write the perfect follow-up email subject line every time, regardless of the market you serve or the product you sell.
Most salespeople know that their emails should be personalized and tailored to the needs of the reader. Personalized emails generate 6x higher transaction rates than generic ones.
The same principle applies to subject lines. Many successful subject lines include the name of the reader , like the one shown below. 
You might also reference a specific meeting date . This can jog the reader’s memory about the last time you spoke. 
The goal of a personalized subject line is to grab the recipient’s attention among a sea of other messages in a way that makes them think, “This email was written explicitly for me.”
Great salespeople know that their interactions with buyers should be value-based. The goal, of course, is to close the sale, but that objective is best achieved by providing value and advising prospects before they even consider signing on the dotted line.
Look at the way this subject line promises to provide a benefit to the reader. 
You might also reference an unanswered question from your last meeting or share a relevant blog post that you think might resonate with them. Again, make sure this content is personalized and designed to meet a specific need.
The decision about whether to open an email is made in fractions of a second, and you risk losing that attention if your subject line is too long.
According to a study conducted by Retention Science, the open-rate sweet spot for most follow-up email subject lines is 6 – 10 words.
Some data-driven emailers even measure their subject lines in the number of characters rather than the number of words to account for the fact that some mobile devices truncate subject lines after a certain number of characters.
That being said, it’s always better to err on the shorter side when it comes to email subject lines.
And if it needs to be longer than 10 words, make sure the important content is at the front.
Studies show that 63% of interested prospects will not commit to purchasing for at least 3 months , with 20% taking longer than 12 months.
This means that you need to be ready for the long haul and plan your subject lines accordingly. You wouldn’t, for example, follow up after a two-month-long hiatus with a subject line like Thanks for our meeting eight weeks ago.
Consider the cadence of your follow-up series to help you write the perfect subject lines. How frequently you reach out will help you convey the right tone, urgency, and value offering. Software like Yesware can help you automate and personalize this process.
Tip: In our sales follow-up statistics study, we found that the most successful cadence based on replies is six touches in the span of roughly three weeks.
Mention a Mutual Acquaintance/Connection
Showing your recipient that you share a mutual connection can fast-track your email to the top of their priority list. It’s okay to name-drop in this situation as long as it’s genuine (i.e., if you say you just spoke to them, make sure it’s true). A referral can go a long way in generating an enthusiastic response.
You can also find an easy segue by mentioning a recent event that you both attended. This is an easy way to make a connection with a prospect and get the conversation going.
Tip: Grab proven subject lines and email templates for your follow-ups below:
I Tried 195 Cold Email Subject Lines, These Are the Best
How to write a follow-up email subject line?
Intriguing your prospect with a subject line is something you should consider for your follow-up campaign. Another reason to keep your follow-up subject lines short is that long subject lines are cut off on mobile devices. These are some examples of short and catchy follow-up email subject lines: Ready for { {event}}? 3. Make it personal
Does a follow-up email subject matter?
Truthfully, there are some who argue that the follow-up email subject line matters less than the follow-up itself. While it’s true that the content of your email will ultimately be the most influential follow-up content for prospects, the subject line matters, too.
What is a follow-up subject line?
When compared to the initial subject line, the follow-up subject line is a polite reminder that refers back to the earlier email, helping to keep the conversation going. Not all subject lines are created equal! While an initial email aims to grab attention from a cold start, follow-ups need a slightly different approach.
What is a subject line in a cold email follow-up?
[Topic/Subject]: Second attempt – This subject line indicates to the recipient that you have contacted them before, making them more likely to respond this time. When sending a cold email follow-up, it’s important to use a subject line that grabs the recipient’s attention and encourages them to open your message.
