Honest answer, what went wrong?
Type: Feedback, Winback, Churn survey
Tone: Straight, grounded, emotionally restrained
Feedback requests can help win back some clients, only when friction stays low.
Can [brand] earn a second look?
Type: Winback, Brand trust, Customer success
Tone: Humble, confident, human
A little humility can cut through resistance. The question invites a reply, and replies help with future segmentation.
The email should acknowledge the issue without drama and offer one helpful resource, such as a short guide, setup checklist, or quick video.
One small update since [month]
Type: Product update, Winback, Marketing
Tone: Informative, confident, restrained
Product-led re-engagement subject lines win when the update feels concrete.
Pick one update that solves a known blocker. Mention the outcome in the first paragraph, and then add one short proof point, such as a customer quote or a “before and after” example.
Avoid hype words. If the update requires setup, mention the time cost in plain language.
Account pause, or just busy?
Type: Winback, Account status, SaaS
Tone: Understanding, slightly playful, respectful
People go quiet for normal reasons: Budget reviews, internal changes, vacations, etc.
This subject line acknowledges that reality, making the reader feel less judged.
Still want help with [problem]?
Type: Support, Winback, Lifecycle
Tone: Helpful, steady, practical
Support-led winback email subject lines work well when the last conversation ended midstream.
This one points to a problem the reader already named, so the email feels relevant.
Still thinking about [your product]?
Type: Re-engagement, Sales
Tone: Curious, patient
This subject works best on warm leads that ghosted post-demo or trial.
No guilt or “checking in” energy. Just curiosity, politely framed.
In the body of the email, try something simple: “Here’s what’s changed since we last spoke,” or “I thought this might answer your last question.”
Still on the fence about [product]?
Type:Win back, Consideration, Sales
Tone: Understanding, patient
Using “fence language” acknowledges indecision, which feels normal. The email should mirror that tone and avoid pushing.
Try offering different paths through your message. For example, provide a brief comparison guide and ask the user to reply with their main concern.
Come back, and grab [perk]
Type: Offer, Winback, Promo
Tone: Warm, light, not desperate
Make sure the perk you offer feels fair instead of like a bribe. Good perks include credits, extended trials, and free setup calls.
New features since [month], worth a peek
Type: Product update, Winback, Marketing
Tone: Casual, curious
The “worth a peek” phrase lowers stakes here. Keep your message focused on one to two upgrades that address common objections.
Add one small screenshot in the email body if the product supports visuals, but keep the email lean.
One more year together, new perks for customers like you
Type: Retention, Benefit update, Anniversary
Tone: Encouraging, appreciative, optimistic
Sometimes a business anniversary coincides with a new tier of benefits, a refreshed loyalty program, or an upgraded support system.
This subject signals that the company wants to give back as part of the anniversary celebration.
Customer Anniversary Email Example
Subject: One more year together, new perks for customers like you
Hi [First name],
Another year with [Company Name] is coming to an end this week. To say thank you, the team has added a few new perks, including [perk one] and [perk two].
These benefits are now available in your account and will be applied automatically whenever you place an order or log in.
No codes to remember—everything applies automatically.
Thank you again for staying with [Company Name].
Warm regards,
[Sender name]
[Title, Company]
Your anniversary with [company name] comes with a small gift
Type: Customer anniversary, Retention marketing
Tone: Friendly, appreciative, rewarding
Anniversary campaigns don’t have to focus solely on the company’s age. Many teams create journeys that celebrate the customer’s join date.
In such cases use this subject line.
We miss you. Ready to come back?
Type: Retention, Win back, Customer Loyalty
Tone: Warm, Personal, Slightly Emotional
Simple. Honest. You aren’t hiding the intent. Saying “We miss you” makes people feel emotional. The phrase “Ready to come back?” sounds casual and not pressuring.
Try it if a customer has gone quiet for 30+ days, especially if they used to contact you regularly.
This Subject Line Can Also Be:
- Still thinking about us?
- Your seat’s still saved.
- We noticed you’ve been away…
20% off. Just because you’re missed
Type: Retention, Win back, Ecommerce
Tone: Incentive-based, Friendly, Promotional
Direct and heartfelt. Adding a discount can increase clicks by up to 40% in win-back sequences. But what makes this work is the emotional cue.
Use this subject line if the user hasn’t bought something from your site or visited it in the last 60 days. The main body of the email should be gentle and not pushy.
This Subject Line Can Also Be:
- Your loyalty means the world. Here’s 20% off.
- Still here, still saving a spot for you.
Still curious about [product or service name]?
Type: Win back, SaaS, Trial Re-engagement
Tone: Conversational, Direct, Lightly Curious
This win back subject line gently reopens the conversation. No pressure. No gimmicks. Just a question.
This Subject Line Can Also Be:
- Forgot something? [product name] is still waiting.
- Your progress is saved. Keep going?
One last thing before we say goodbye…
Type: Retention, Re-engagement, Unsubscribe Prevention
Tone: Bittersweet, Calm, Thoughtful
This subject line is like a soft invitation. You’re not begging or chasing. But you’re giving one last reason to stay. Subject lines that hinted at closure (“final,” “last,” “before you go”) can increase open rate and conversion rates than neutral reminders.
Use this in the last email of a re-engagement flow. This is typically after 3 to 4 emails over 30–60 days.
Make sure the email body includes an incentive, a quick recap of what the user is missing, or a simple reactivation button.
This Subject Line Can Also Be:
- If this is goodbye, let’s part with a gift.
- Before you disappear, check this out.
Retention Email Example
Subject: One last thing before we say goodbye…
Hi [first name],
We noticed you haven’t been around lately. That’s totally okay! But before we stop checking in on you, we wanted to say thanks. Whether you stayed for a week or a year, we’re glad you joined us.
If there’s anything we could have done better, we’d love to know. If you’re thinking about coming back, here’s a 15% discount on your next order—just in case.
Reactivate now
All the best,
The [Company] Team
We noticed your help, and we’re grateful
For example forum heroes answer questions at 2 a.m. just because. Calling that out boosts retention and turns lurkers into helpers.
Mention “noticed” to show you track contributions without sounding creepy.
Pair the email with a badge or discount code to encourage prosocial behavior.
Type
Community Forum Follow‑up
Tone
Conversational, appreciative, specific
Meet Your Support Crew, Ready To Guide You
Tone: Reassuring, Human‑Centric
For new users, silence can be frightening. Naming the “support crew” eliminates doubt and signals proactive care with the message, “We’re ready to guide.”
Quick Tips
- Include headshots of two agents with real first names.
- Offer a 15‑minute onboarding call link, boosting retention for high‑ACV accounts.
Quote for your SaaS retention piece, quick 2 minute ask
You start with the value. An expert quote tailored to the reader’s article.
Referring to the recipient’s ongoing piece demonstrates your research, and the “two-minute ask” indicates a minimal time commitment.
Use this kind of subject line for emails as soon as the target posts a draft call on social media. Fast responses often secure inclusion.
Tips
- Attach the quote as two concise sentences.
- Provide a headshot immediately to facilitate back-and-forth editing.
Type
Expert Quote Outreach
Tone
Respectful, efficient, professional
[Brand name] New here? Take your first step today
Tone
Encouraging, clear, slightly urgent
Why I Chose This
Questions pull readers, and numbers drive clicks. HubSpot reports that subject-line questions can lift opens by roughly 50%. Pairing that nudge with “today” signals relevance while staying polite. I picked “first step” to flag action without pressure.
When to Use
Ideal for platforms where early activation (upload a logo, schedule a call, connect an integration) predicts retention. Works in B2B and B2C alike.
Tips
- Answer the question in the preview text so scanners feel safe clicking.
- Send within five minutes of signup; delay cuts recall.
Celebrating one year together, thank you
Type: Anniversary and Retention
Tone: Sincere, Upbeat
Anniversary emails combine nostalgia with forward momentum.
A clear time marker (“one year”) fosters relevance, and longer lines still work.
Sprinkle in a memory from the beginning of the relationship—the first order or ticket solved—so the reader feels seen.
If you have a loyalty program, this is the perfect place to offer bonus points or an invitation to an insider webinar.
Your subscription ends in 3 days, don’t lose access
Tone
Urgent but calm
Why this line works
People don’t always act when they see “renew now,” but when you mention *what* they might lose, that’s when they pause. “Don’t lose access” subtly introduces a consequence without sounding harsh.
Add a time reference like “3 days”, and you’ve created a ticking clock effect.
A 2025 EmailToolTester benchmark found that countdown-style subject lines increased conversion rates by 17 to 22% compared to vague expiration notices.
Hidden angle
You don’t need to offer a discount to get attention here. Clarity and timing matter more.
But if you *do* pair this with a small loyalty gift inside the email body, you raise your odds of a successful renewal.
