We helped [similar company], here’s what happened
This subject line uses social proof as its hook. It’s ideal for re-engaging recipients who know the problem but haven’t acted yet.
Replace “[similar company]” with a real peer, industry name, or recognizable reference.
[First Name], quick question about boosting [Site Name] traffic
Type
Guest Post Outreach, Cold Outreach, Marketing
Tone
Conversational, helpful, curious
Why It Works
Personalized cold outreach email subject lines lift open rates by roughly 26%.
You place the reader’s name up front, then slip in one clear benefit—more traffic. The words sit close, so the brain grasps the value in a blink.
Short, direct, under 60 characters.
When to Use
Fire this line when you spot a blog with steady but plateaued visits. The question invites a gentle yes and signals quick value.
Avoid it if you lack a solid traffic tip; you will break trust fast.
Tips
- Add a fresh metric in the email body.
- Keep the preview text tight, tease the insight without repeating the subject.
This Subject Line Can Also Be:
- [First Name], small SEO idea for [Site Name]
- Traffic bump question for [Site Name]
New article idea: 3 SEO wins for [Site Name] readers
Value‑driven, confident, concise.
Numbers hook busy editors. Three wins feel doable, not vague. Keeping “SEO wins” near “readers” clarifies benefit.
Send email with this outreach email subject line after you audit their content gap. Drop it on Tuesday mornings, the inbox load is lighter than Monday chaos.
Type
Cold Outreach, Content Collaboration
Tone
Example Email
Hi [Editor Name],
Your post on core web vitals hit home for my team.
I drafted a 900‑word follow‑up that shares three practical SEO wins we tested last quarter. Mind if I send it?
Loved your [Topic] piece, could I add a fresh angle?
“Loved” and “[topic] piece” appear together, indicating genuine reading rather than blanket spam. Then, you quickly pivot to “fresh angle,” hinting at novelty.
Send your email with this kind of subject line within 48 hours of their article going live while the excitement is still fresh.
Avoid weekends because holiday noise buries nuance.
Tips
- Quote a line from the post inside to prove you read it.
- Offer a data point they missed. Editors crave fresh angles.
Type
Warm Outreach, Relationship‑Based
Tone
Respectful, collaborative, warm
Can we collaborate? Guest post that drives 7k visits
You start by offering a partnership, then provide a concrete metric: 7,000 visits. This makes the promise feel measurable, not like hype.
Numbers in the subject lines help you push email open rates.
When to Use
I reserve this line for sites with high domain authority. Show a quick case study in the body; link to analytics screenshots.
Type
Partnership Outreach, SEO‑Focused
Tone
Data‑backed, ambitious, energizing
This Subject Line Can Also Be:
- Guest post idea: 7 k‑visit case study for you
- Proven topic that pulls 7 k readers
Free resource: 1 backlink boost for [Site Name] audience
Why It Works
“Free” still stops thumbs. Pair it with “1 backlink” and “boost” to signal quick upside.
Keep nouns tight—resource, backlink, audience.
This code email outreach subject line is perfect after you publish a guide that complements their work.
Offer a mutual swap but frame your link first. Generosity leads.
Type
Resource Outreach, Link Building
Tone
Generous, clear, slightly urgent
Example Email
Hey [Name],
I just released a step‑by‑step outreach playbook.
It features your analytics tip on page three, plus a link that points right back to you.
Mind if we add one return link from your resource page?
Quick fix: your broken link on [Page Title]
Broken link alerts save editors time and protect user experience. Pairing “quick fix” with “your” shrinks cognitive load; the brain spots the benefit in four words.
Use this subject line for broken link building campaign.
Send the emails, weekday, mid‑mornings work best; when editors already cleared the overnight clutter.
Tips
- Screenshot the error in the email body.
- Offer your relevant article as the replacement, but keep the ask soft.
Type
Broken Link Outreach, Cold Outreach
Tone
Helpful, straightforward, respectful
Podcast guest idea: story on scaling to 1M users
You present a clear hook: scaling to one million users right after the idea. Personalized, context-rich pitches receive 32% more responses than templates.
This pitch teases a success arc, which is perfect for podcast producers looking for fresh stories.
Send on Thursday afternoons, when many hosts are planning their Friday or early next week recordings, so you can catch them while they’re scheduling.
Tips
- Include a 30‑second voice snippet in the email body to showcase energy.
- Suggest three bullet talking points to cut prep time.
Type
Podcast Outreach, Thought Leadership
Tone
Enthusiastic, narrative, forward‑looking
Resource roundup: 2025 outreach guide for your readers
Positioning the piece as a “resource” avoids triggering sales alarms. Offering fresh content framed around the current year piques curiosity and signals that the content is up-to-date.
Use this subject line right after you publish the guide, while momentum and social proof are rising.
Tips
- Mention a complementary resource already on their page to show fit.
- Offer a brief custom blurb they can copy‑paste to save time.
Type
Resource Page Outreach, Content Promotion
Tone
Generous, concise, informative
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
Backlink swap idea: two relevant articles, two gains
The symmetry of two articles for two gains sounds fair. By stating “idea,” you are signaling a proposal, not a demand.
Seasoned editors scan inboxes for win-win offers amid one-way link requests, so framing reciprocity upfront helps your proposal stand out.
Use this subject line for emails when the sites have similar domain authority. This will help keep swaps balanced.
This Subject Line Can Also Be:
- Mutual link idea: boost both SEO scores
- Relevant backlink trade that helps us both
Speed audit: trim 3 seconds off [Site Name] load time
Website speed ties directly to revenue. Dropping a hard metric, “3 seconds” shows tangible benefit.
The pairing of “speed audit” with the promised gain keeps nouns tight, verbs active.
Readers instinctively value fast-loading pages, so this line hits a pain point.
You can use this type of subject line in many technical scenarios, where you can pitch in your services to fix it quickly rather than relying on DIY options.
Tips
- Include a one‑line test result from PageSpeed Insights.
- Suggest a first change they can apply in five minutes to build trust.
Type
Technical Audit Outreach
Tone
Urgent, precise, practical
Quick reminder, did you see my last note?
Tone:
Polite, Direct, Slightly Urgent
Email Subject Line Content:
This subject line acknowledges the gap while keeping things professional. “Quick reminder” tells them it’s short.
“Did you see my last note?” leans conversational, not robotic. This is useful when you already sent an email and want a subtle way to follow up without sounding demanding.
I suggest follow up with this after 2-4 days if the first message had a clear CTA.
It works well for internal communication too. When chasing up a coworker or vendor.
One tip: avoid this subject if your previous email wasn’t very actionable. Otherwise, it may come across as unclear.
