I have a rather bizarre admission to share with you:
Lately I’ve been opening a lot of spam emails.
Well, maybe not a “lot”, but certainly more than usual.
Why?
Is it because I want to read emails about male “enhancement” drugs?
Uhm, no, think I’m good to go there, thank you.
Is it because I wanna try that Acai Berry stuff?
Nope.
Is it because I need a new wristwatch, handbag or other doo-dad these spammers are always pushing?
No, not that either.
So what’s the reason?
Well, weird as it sounds, the reason I’ve been opening so many spam emails is because of the subject lines.
Lemme explain:
Some of these Spams-R-Us writers are using langauge that’s extremely appealing to me as someone who does business online. Even to the point where I’ve been playing around with them for mine, and my clients’ emails.
Here are a few examples of some recent ones that “got” me:
Cool Open-Rate Stats
A Clearly Good Marketing Plan
Subject Lines: Tell, Don’t Sell
A Permission Marketing Primer: Picking and Choosing
When Your Video Isn’t Viral
Dumb It Up, People
Podcasting is Easier Than You Think
A Gentle Step into Web 2.0
The SEO Rapper
Not exactly blatant spam headlines, are they?
In fact, I doubt any of them would be flagged at all. And I actually thought, at first glance, these were from marketing lists I’m on!
And guess what?
If you want some cool email subject line templates (especially if you’re in a business-to-business market) these all make great “fodder.”
Each one is easily tweaked and swiped. (I used one for THIS email.)
They likely won’t set off the spam alarms with the ISPs.
And, if you make your emails relevant (that’s the key) to these subject lines, they could nab you more sales.
Whoda’ thunk you can get value from spam?
You can learn more about email marketing, including how to write subject lines and thwart the spam filters, in The Copywriting Grab Bag in Appendix 8 and in the interview with Jay White on the bonus CD.
Until next time…
Ben Settle
P.S. Speaking of The Copywriting Grab Bag and email marketing…
One of my “secret weapons” for emails is old comic book ads.
And you want to know what?
The CD that comes with the book contains dozens of comic book ads. Many of which can make writing subject lines, blog titles and especially PPC ads a LOT faster and easier:
