This article showcases the best subject line examples for event emails that boost open rates and attendance. We also reveal essential tips for crafting subject lines that make your event emails more effective.
An event is only as successful as its attendance. One of the most crucial steps in event planning is promotion and inviting people. Emails play a major role in this process, and even a short subject line can significantly impact their success. In this article, we will talk about event email subject lines — how to make them more compelling —a nd explore top-performing examples to inspire your own.
Why a compelling subject line for an upcoming event matters
Why do you need an eye-catching subject line for your event marketing campaign? The answer is simple — 47% of email recipients open an email based on the subject line alone, while 69% mark an email as spam for the same reason.
Email subject lines are the first thing that recipients see in their inboxes, making them a critical factor in engagement. A catchy and clear subject line is the key to boosting email open rates, especially when promoting an event and driving attendance.
Your email subject line matters more than the content. If people don’t open your email, the content is useless.
Tips for writing effective event email subject lines
Now, let’s talk about ways of creating effective email subject lines that strengthen your event invitation email and ensure that recipients open it.
Make them specific but not too long
One of the biggest mistakes in crafting email subject lines is being too vague or mysterious. If recipients can’t immediately grasp what your email is about, they’re more likely to ignore it — or worse, mark it as spam — leaving your event with an empty seat.
To create an informative subject line for events, clearly mention the event name or a defining characteristic. Words like “conference,” “meetup,” “webinar,” “exhibition,” or “showcase” instantly signal what the email is about.
Length also matters. According to GetResponse research, subject lines with the highest open rates range from 90-119 characters long, which are not too short yet detailed enough to convey value. Aim for this sweet spot, be specific, and watch your open rates rise.
Use the Fear Of Missing Out approach
Event email subject lines are a great opportunity to tap into FOMO — Fear of Missing Out. At its core, FOMO is the fear of missing out on valuable opportunities and benefits. Since events are time-sensitive with limited seats, tickets, or spots, leveraging FOMO in subject lines can significantly boost engagement and attendance.
According to statistics, 69% of millennials experience FOMO, which is why top brands frequently use it in their marketing.
To create a FOMO-driven subject line, clearly state when the event is happening and emphasize urgency. Phrases like “only today” or “don’t miss out” can encourage immediate action.
However, avoid overusing FOMO. If every email screams “last chance,” the urgency loses its impact, and recipients may start tuning it out. Instead, use it strategically, keeping it timely and valuable. When done right, FOMO can be a powerful motivator. When overdone, it turns into white noise.
The FOMO approach has its perks, but only if we don’t overuse it, make it timely, and communicate the value. If you overuse the whole “last-minute” shtick, the leads will grow numb to the next offer, and it won’t really feel like they’re missing out on anything.
Adopt personalization techniques
Personalized subject lines are the classics in pumping open rates. In fact, about 65% of marketing professionals send campaigns with personalized subject lines, and many industry experts endorse this approach.
Personalization in email marketing offers significant benefits to both businesses and consumers. By tailoring content to individual or group preferences, you increase relevance, enhance brand loyalty, and improve customer satisfaction. Beyond improving metrics, personalization fosters a stronger connection between the brand and its audience, contributing to a positive brand image. Integrating personalization into email marketing strategies empowers businesses to forge stronger relationships with their audience.
One of the easiest ways to personalize event emails is by crafting an exclusive invitation and mentioning it in the subject line. However, personalization goes beyond just using a recipient’s name. It is also about referencing previous interactions with them and providing personalized content.
For example, if you are hosting a webinar on a topic relevant to a recipient’s interests (based on their actions, preferences, things you might know, your interactions, and feedback on them), highlight that in the subject line. This makes the email feel like a direct, personal invitation rather than a mass promotion.
Here are some subject line examples that leverage personalization:
- “We heard you like [Name of the Thing], so this event is just for you.”
- “[Name], we saved you a special spot for [Event Name].”
- “An exclusive sneak peek at our upcoming event you might like.”
Sprinkle some numbers and emojis in your subject line
Numbers and emojis can be the icing on the cake when crafting compelling event email subject lines. Since events happen on specific dates, numbers help add clarity and urgency. Mention the event date, the number of exclusive guests, the duration of the event, and so on. These details make your subject line more informative and eye-catching. In fact, subject lines with numbers have an average open rate of 20%.
Emojis can also boost engagement. They add a fun visual element that helps your email stand out in crowded inboxes. If your brand allows for a bit of informality, emojis are a great choice, as 60% of subject lines with emojis outperform those without.
Use helping tools
Creative block can be really frustrating. Every email marketer has encountered it at some point when trying to create an email copy or a catchy subject line but coming up empty.
Thankfully, GenAI can help break through creative roadblocks. At Stripo, we actively implement GenAI to simplify the lives of email marketers. One of our key innovations is the AI subject line generator.
This tool is absolutely free and can help generate catchy event subject lines in just a few clicks. To get a variety of subject line ideas, simply:
- insert a prompt into a dedicated field to give GenAI direction for its creative capabilities;
- pick a style that matches the tone and purpose of your future subject lines;
- decide on a capitalization style;
- choose whether to use emojis and select your preferred language.
In just a few seconds, you will have a set of subject lines ready to use for your newsletters or to spark your creativity in creating your own. If the results don’t quite match your vision, simply adjust your prompts and settings and try again until you find the perfect fit.
Invitation email subject line examples
It’s time to check out some compelling event email subject lines from top brands to give your creativity a special boost.
Event subject line from Metallica
Subject line: 🔥 M72 Hits Cinemas Next Week!
Metallica knows how to make a statement. Their subject line creates urgency by highlighting the upcoming event in just a week, while the fire emoji adds excitement and grabs attention.
(Source: Email Love)
Event subject line from Salesforce
Subject line: You’re invited: The top AI trends at work
Salesforce keeps it simple and personalized by addressing the recipient directly. The subject line is clear and to the point, making it evident what the event is about.
(Source: Email Love)
Event subject line from Flowium
Subject line: Tired of Zoom? Join us in NYC on 9/10
Flowium’s subject line taps into curiosity with a question, offering a refreshing alternative to virtual events. It also includes specific details, like the location and date, making the invitation feel personal and actionable.
(Source: Email Love)
Event subject line from Webflow
Subject line: Live tomorrow: Register for Webflow Conf
Webflow plays into the FOMO approach by accentuating that the event is happening the next day, thus creating urgency for registration.
(Source: Email Love)
Event subject line from Adobe
Subject line: Tune in tomorrow at 9am (PDT) for MAX Online
Adobe’s subject line provides clarity and precision by including the exact time and time zone. It’s a straightforward, no-nonsense approach that lets the recipient know exactly when to tune in.
(Source: Email Love)
Event subject line from Amazon
Subject line: ⌛ Time is running out: join us at AWS re:Invent
(Source: Email Love)
Amazon uses a FOMO-driven subject line, emphasizing the urgency of time running out to register for their event. The sand clock emoji adds a sense of urgency without being too pushy.
Honorable mentions
Here’s a collection of subject lines from other brands that can come in handy when creating your own catchy email subject lines to gather people for your event:
- Introducing the Twilight 5000 Winter Series — Tracksmith.
- NFL returns to N17 this weekend 🏉 — Tottenham Hotspur.
- You’re Invited: We, Robot Watch Party — Tesla.
- [Don’t miss it] New speakers announced! — Vimeo.
- Email Campers have a lot of good things to say — Sinch.
- Your special invitation to Make with Notion 2024 — Notion.
- More than 600 sessions. Unlimited possibilities — Oracle.
- Hit the trails with us 🥾🌲 — Athletic Brewing.
- Registration for Spring ‘24 Pipeline Summit is open! — Qualified.
- Level-Up Your Digital Adoption Journey at Realize 2023 — WalkMe.
- Spring-Summer 2024 Ready-To-Wear Show — Dior.
- Recess IRL — our biggest week yet — Recess.
- Config is coming May 2025 🎟️ — Figma.
- Get Ready for Big News at NBAA-BACE — Garmin.
- You’re invited to Burberry Bond Street — Burberry.
- Join Next.js Conf online next week — Next.js.
- You're Invited: 2024 James Beard Foundation Gala for Good — James Beard Foundation.
- Zoomtopia sessions for you: growing your business — Zoom.
- Join us for a post-October 7 discussion series at the Jewish Museum, NYC — Forward.
- Please join us for a special event from Apple Park — Apple.
- Registration for GitHub Universe ‘23 is live 🎉 — GitHub.
- Made-to-fade at a tattoo convention?! 👀 — Ephemeral Tattoo.
- New Outsite Events this July 📆 — Outsite.
- Ubisoft Forward is back! — Ubisoft.
Wrapping up
Strong subject lines are a real must-have for event emails. They are the first thing your recipients see in their inboxes, and they are the key drivers of email opens. By using a concise structure, tapping into FOMO, and applying personalization techniques, you can boost performance and event attendance.
We hope the examples and strategies we provided in this article help elevate your ideation process and make crafting effective event email subject lines easier. With the right approach, your emails will stand out in crowded inboxes and drive engagement!
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