This is the winning subject line from my inbox over the course of the last 60 days.
I’ve been writing an article for Art Calendar magazine on subject lines and paying close attention to what piques my interest in the jungle that was my inbox. I staged an unofficial, secret contest until the winner emerged.
The hands-down winner landed last Friday: LIVE HUMAN BEINGS sent by the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver.
Normally I would tell you not to use all caps, but as you know, I’d also advise you not to listen to me and to break the rules.
Upon seeing this headline in my inbox, I couldn’t wait to open it and see what it was about. Was it a performance piece? Were they conducting an experiment?
As it turns out, the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver was promoting docent-led tours of their current exhibition. Brilliant! The subject line “Live Human Beings” trumps “Docent Tours Available” every time.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
So great! Dead human beings wouldn’t be good at it. I like the humour
in the header. Super.
You are funny Alyson.
Take care,
Barbara
No, but DEAD HUMAN BEINGS might also get you to open an email.
Definitely worked for me, opened it before I made my coffee!
I heard another great resource for headline fodder was the front cover of Cosmopolitan Magazine. That was from Joan, The Publicity Hound. LOL
AM–Yep. That piece of advice comes from lots of copywriters and made it into my article, too. It was a challenge to try ig!