BEST PRACTICES FOR EMAIL MARKETING SUBJECT LINES & BODY COPY

Easy Tips for Emails That Actually Get Opened

There’s nothing worse than spending hours creating an email, only for it to end up unopened or ignored. The reality is, your subject line and body of the email matter more than ever. If you’re not optimizing both, you’re not taking advantage of possible engagement and revenue.

Here’s what actually works in 2025 when it comes to subject lines and email copy that people want to read.

📨 Subject Line Best Practices: Hook Them!

According to Neil Patel, 64% of people decide to open your email based solely on the subject line. That means even the best content inside doesn’t matter if your subject line doesn’t encourage people to open it.

The keys to writing subject lines that get clicks:

• Keep it short and punchy. Use 9 words or fewer, and ideally under 50 characters.

• Create curiosity with hooks. Think:“We tested this strategy & here’s what happened” or “You won’t believe this growth hack.”

• Use urgency or scarcity. Limited-time offers work: “Only 2 spots left…” or “Final hours to grab this deal”

• Make it personal. Use your platform's great personalization features - “Hey [First Name], want higher open rates?”

• Try including the read time: “3-min read: How to fix your email strategy”

✏️ Email Body Copy Best Practices: Don’t Be Boring

Getting the open is only half the battle—now you have to keep their attention. Here’s how to do it:

Keep it human and helpful:

• Write like a real person. People can spot robotic copy a mile away. Be a personality, not a platform.

• Break it up. Avoid long blocks of text. Use:

  • Short paragraphs

  • Bullet points

  • Bold text to highlight key takeaways

• Include a CTA and clickable links. Tell people exactly what to do next. Don’t make them guess.

• Ask for a reply. Not only does this boost deliverability (inboxes love replies), but it also invites genuine connection.

🛠 Want Emails That Convert Without Doing It Yourself?

If you’re tired of guessing what works and want professionally written and designed emails that increase opens, clicks, and conversions, I've got you covered.

Our email marketing packages at STAK Marketing include:

• Strategy-backed content

• On-brand design

• Proven copy that connects and converts

• Full campaign management (so you don’t have to lift a finger)

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Let’s build emails your audience actually wants to read. Explore our packages here.

Keep on growing -

Michelle Johnson

Owner, CEO, and Chief Marketing Guru of STAK Marketing

(and Your Future Fractional Marketing Director)

Michelle Johnson is a small business marketing expert and the founder of a results-driven marketing agency based in Utah. With 15 years of experience in corporate marketing, Michelle now focuses on supporting female-owned and operated businesses by taking marketing off their plate so they can focus on what they do best. Through fractional marketing services, Michelle acts as an extension of your team, providing everything from SEO marketing for small businesses and email marketing packages to comprehensive marketing audits and SEO copywriting services. Whether you're launching something new or looking to scale your growth, Michelle helps you craft and execute a clear, effective strategy that actually gets results If you're looking for a small business marketing agency that understands the challenges (and opportunities) of entrepreneurship, Michelle is your go-to partner in Salt Lake City and beyond.