Stupid Subject Lines.... Don't Be An Internet Marketing Celebrity Amateur.

I won't name names, but it's just so horrific that I really want to.

But why is it that marketers who are supposedly ACCOMPLISHED send out emails with some of the most, absolutely god-awful subject lines that even a 5-yr old could out-perform? Let me give you a sample of some of the ones I'd gotten just today:

Stupid Subject Line Number 1: "Are You Up for the Million Dollar Challenge?"

Why is this stupid: Because if it were REAL, no one in his right mind would say, "No, of course not. I wish to remain poor."

But we're marketers right? So would I want anyone who, presumably, has been pulling their hair out trying to make even a dime a month to feel like they have to suffer yet another CHALLENGE? And why would I want to put in a YES/NO QUESTION form so that one of the answers could be, "NO. I HATE YOU BECAUSE I KNOW YOU ARE EXAGGERATING!"

Stupid Subject Line Number 2: "Sam, Sam, Sam, only $37 ?"

Why is this stupid: I don't need someone I don't know saying my name 3 times. While even hearing my name ONCE from a stranger peddling info products seems disingenuous, there is SOME basis of evidence that it does get attention, but THREE TIMES?

And after that annoying little stint, why is this well-known marketer including the price? I forget the statistic but someone with a lot of experience once told me that the one thing you NEVER, EVER, NEVER, EVER, NEVER, EVER, do is mention ANYTHING about price in a pre-sell. Let me repeat... NEVER, EVER, NEVER, EVER, NEVER! Not maybe sometimes. Not maybe once... NEVER!

Just look at that subject line again and repeat after me, "Oooooooh, how compelling!" Feels like a lie, doesn't it? Jammed amidst a sea of about 300 other stupid subject titles in my inbox, this guy could say my name 30 more times and drop his price $36 and I'm still not opening the email, period.

Stupid Subject Line Number 3: "Still Going (More Free and Cheap Resources)"

Why is this stupid: First, it says FREE. There go about 90% of his emails down the spam filter crapper. Did this guy just fall off the turnip truck? Or was he a one trick pony that got some big marketer to promote his product which led him to a false sense of immunity from stupid subject lines?

Also, while FREE and CHEAP are nice IF the product is right, it'd better mention a damn hot BENEFIT right away otherwise, it's giving the impression of "yet another" repository of ancient, worn-out, barely useful applications that are all infested with backend sale promotions. OOoooh Weeeee! Just what I need... more crap to lose track of on my hard drive. Thanks!

Stupid Subject Line Number 4: "Need Your Advice (6 Quick Questions)"

Why this is stupid: This "legendary" marketer, who could pay any number of experts who have already gathered such data, needs MY advice? A stranger? Well pay me. Ok, so I opened it, doubtful, but just to see if there was a bribe. By golly, there was a bribe. Answer the questions (sales pitches horribly disguised as qualifying questions) and immediately get a "bonus" worth $197.

Ok, for purposes of this post, I had to see what my $197 gift would be. Would it be a cool new script? Possibly an automated content site? Would it be a cool book on how to use forums to rake in cash? No. It was nothing. Excuse me, it was a SALES audio misrepresented as having something useful in it (yes, useful to the marketer) plus a $100 coupon to a seminar.

STUPID. Stupid subject lines leading to stupid offers.

So, pray tell, what stupid subject lines have you received today? Did you think mine was stupid? Are yours stupid? Go look in your inbox and share one.

Give us a stupid subject line and make us laugh.

Sam
ps. Oh, and I have a REAL gift for you. If you post a stupid subject line, feel free to create a link back to your site along with it (no adult, warez or drug sites, etc, I reserve the right to remove any that I deem toxic to the community).

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