You wouldn’t let an unknown vendor record your executive meetings, so why trust just any AI?

Most AI notetakers offer convenience. Very few offer true security.

This free checklist from Fellow breaks down the key criteria CEOs, IT teams, and privacy-conscious leaders should consider before rolling out AI meeting tools across their org.

Get the Security Checklist

Hi {{given_name}},

Ever stared at your own overflowing inbox and just hit "select all, delete"? We all have! And if your emails are going to survive the great inbox purge, they need to grab attention from the get-go.

💡This week’s 80/20 rule - Keep your email subject lines 5 words or less.

In other words, get straight to the point and make every word count. This is a simple copy rule that aims to get more people to open your emails—without writing more or changing your overall strategy.

🧠 Short, clear subject lines cut through the noise and stand out in a crowded inbox. When your subject line is brief and punchy, it’s easier for recipients to quickly scan and understand the core message, especially when they're scrolling through dozens, if not hundreds, of emails.

Here’s the psychology and data behind it:

Attention Span: In a fast-paced digital world, attention is a precious commodity. Shorter subject lines are more digestible at a glance. Many people, around 47% of recipients, decide whether to open an email based purely on the subject line.

Clarity and Curiosity: A concise subject line forces you to be clear about the email's main benefit or to create just enough curiosity to entice a click. You’re not giving everything away, but you’re giving them a compelling reason to learn more.

Mobile-Friendliness: This is a big one! So many emails are opened on mobile devices, where screen space is limited. Mobile inboxes typically display only the first 30-50 characters of a subject line. A subject line of 5 words or fewer is far more likely to be displayed in full, ensuring your message isn't awkwardly cut off.

Proven Performance: Data backs this up. One study by Yesware, analyzing over 100 million emails, found that subject lines between 1-5 words had the highest open and reply rates. Another dataset from Twilio SendGrid showed that during a busy period, subject lines with just 2 to 4 words performed the best.

Many savvy businesses understand that a short, impactful subject line is key to getting that coveted open. While they might not always stick to a strict 5-word limit, they often use it to their advantage:

📧 Hotjar: This website analytics company often uses welcoming and straightforward subject lines. An example like "Welcome to Hotjar 👋" (4 words + emoji) is friendly, clear, and brief.

🛍️ Etsy: Known for its creative marketplace, Etsy might use ultra-short, intriguing subject lines like "Incoming!" (1 word) to announce new items or messages, sparking curiosity.

✈️ JetBlue: They're known for creating urgency and highlighting benefits concisely. A subject like "You're missing out on points." (6 words, just a tad over, but very direct and benefit-driven) gets the message across quickly.

👔 Barack Obama's Campaign: Famously, some of the most successful emails from Barack Obama's campaign used incredibly short subject lines, like the single word "Hey". This created a sense of personal connection and stood out due to its stark simplicity.

These examples show that getting straight to the point or creating a quick spark of interest can be incredibly effective. They don't waste words, and neither should you!

Ready to trim those subject lines and boost your open rates? Here’s how to apply the 5-words-or-fewer rule:

Your emails are often about building relationships, providing value, or prompting a consultation.

Focus on the Core Benefit/Question:

Instead of: "Important Update Regarding Your Recent Consultation and Next Steps"

➡️ Try:

“Your Consultation Follow-Up" (3 words)

"Quick Question, [Name]?" (3 words)

“Strategy Call?” (3 words)

Highlight Value Concisely:

Instead of: "We Have a New Downloadable Guide That Will Help You Improve Your Marketing"

➡️ Try:

"Free Guide: Boost Marketing" (4 words)

"Your Tips Inside" (4 words)

If you are announcing sales, new products, or reminding customers about their carts, then urgency and excitement are key!

Promotions & Sales:

Instead of: "Don't Miss Out On Our Amazing Weekend Sale Event with Discounts!"

➡️ Try:

"Weekend Sale On Now!" (4 words)

"50% Off Ends Tonight!" (4 words)

"Last Chance: Big Savings" (4 words)

New Arrivals:

Instead of: "Check Out the Latest Collection of Products We Just Added to Our Store"

➡️ Try:

"New Arrivals Are Here!" (4 words)

"Just Dropped: [Product Category]" (3 words)

Abandoned Carts:

Instead of: "You Left Some Items in Your Shopping Cart on Our Website"

➡️ Try:

"Forget Something, [Name]?" (3 words)

"Your Cart Is Waiting!" (4 words)

Front-Load Keywords: Put the most important words at the beginning, as they are most likely to be seen.

Use Action Verbs: Words like "Get," "Discover," "Save" can be powerful.

Spark Curiosity: Ask a question or hint at something valuable inside.

Personalize (If Brief): Adding a name can boost opens 2, but make sure it doesn't push you way over the word count. E.g., "[Name], Quick Question?"

Use Numerals: "5 Tips Inside" is shorter than "Five Tips Inside."

Emojis (Sparingly): One relevant emoji can add personality and save space, but don't overdo it, as it can look spammy or not render correctly.

A/B Test Everything: What resonates best can vary. Always test different subject lines to see what your specific audience responds to.

To recap, here are the 1-2-3 steps to apply the 80/20 Subject Line Rule to your emails:

1️⃣ Aim for 5 Words or Fewer. Challenge yourself to be concise. Every word should earn its place.

2️⃣ Be Clear & Spark Curiosity. Your subject should either clearly state the main benefit/topic or create enough intrigue to make them click. Avoid being vague.

3️⃣ Front-Load the Hook. Put the most compelling words or offer at the very beginning of your subject line, as this is what people see first, especially on mobile.

🔁 Bonus tip: Don't just set it and forget it. Continuously A/B test your short subject lines. Try different angles, keywords, and emotional triggers to see what yields the highest open rates for your audience.

🔎For this week’s website review, let’s look at Northstar Plumbing. Northstar Plumbing is a family-owned and community-employed plumbing company based in Windsor, Ontario. With over 35 years of experience, they offer a range of residential and commercial plumbing services, including repairs and installations.

💡 The Good:

Clear Service Breakdown: The "Residential & Commercial Services" section is well-organized, categorizing offerings into "Repair Services," "Installation Services," and "Problems We Solve," making it easy to identify relevant services.

Professional & Trustworthy Visuals: The hero image of a plumber at work, a photo of the owner adding a personal touch, and a large graphic highlighting "35+ Years Of Experience" immediately convey competence and build credibility.

Verified Reviews System: The "Client Testimonials" section, stating "Hundreds of Positive Reviews" and "powered by NiceJob," adds significant credibility by suggesting authentic, independently managed reviews.

Localized Focus: Statements like "Our family-owned and community employed company was established in 1988" and "Expert Plumbing Service in Windsor" effectively resonate with local customers.

🔧 Suggestions:

Direct Homepage Testimonial Display: Consider featuring one or two concise, impactful customer testimonials directly on the homepage, rather than a large amount at once.

Consider More Service-Specific Visuals: While some service-related images are present, adding a broader range of high-quality visuals for different types of plumbing work could further highlight the company's capabilities.

Have a website you want reviewed?

Reply and let us know—we’d love to take a look!

How long should my email subject line length be?

Email subject line statistics that show why your first impression matters

Email Subject Lines: Make it Catchy to Boost Open Rates

Crafting irresistible openers: The science behind email subject lines

Best Email Marketing Subject Lines That Capture Attention

The 177 Best Email Subject Lines & Templates

See you next time for another simple, high-impact strategy!

The LOGO.com Editorial Team

Launch your business with a professional AI-powered website. Start for free and instantly create a website tailored to your brand and industry with LOGO.com x Wix.