30 Attention-Grabbing Email Subject Lines for Events

The way you promote your event matters, especially when it comes to emails. 78% of event creators say email marketing is their most effective marketing tactic. Even more important, the ones who track the source of their sales say 45% of event ticket sales can be attributed to email. That’s enough reason to take this channel seriously.

But before you get too far along in your email campaign, you need a good email subject line. Good subject lines will make your open rates soar, while bad ones will get you kicked out of even your newest subscriber’s inbox. In this article, we’ll show how to write attention-grabbing email subject lines for events and give you examples of subject lines that work. 

Think of your email subject line as a pass to an invite-only exclusive event—if you don’t have a pass, you don’t get in. At least four out of every ten subscribers open emails because of the subject line. Even more people—almost seven out of ten email recipients—will mark your email as spam for the same reason. 

So, if you want people to read your event emails, then you need to master writing email subject lines. The bright side is that when you do it right, you can shoot up your open and click-through rates. 

Here are a few tips to help you write catchy email subject lines that get readers interested in your event.

You might be tempted to include as many details as you can about the event in your subject line. However, shorter works better—especially on mobile devices where the email subject can get cut off. Studies have shown that subject lines with 6 to 10 words have the highest email open rates. 

When it comes to writing event email subject lines, FOMO (or the fear of missing out) is a powerful tool in your arsenal. 56% of all social media users experience FOMO, while for millennials, the number is nearly 69%. Highlight the number of days left, mention how many people have already signed up to attend, or name drop your biggest guest(s) and speakers. 

A personal invitation from a friend feels better than a generic invite. The same holds true for event emails. Targeted emails with personalized subject lines can increase email open rates by up to 50%. This approach can be as simple as including your subscriber’s name in the subject line, or even just using the word “you.” 

When it comes to email subject lines, numbers work. According to a study by Moz, headlines with numbers generate 15% more clicks. Find creative ways to include important data about your event in your email subject line, such as the number of tickets bought or days left to purchase them.

Emojis also make a difference when used correctly. One study found that businesses that use emojis in their email subject lines have over 50% higher open rates than those that don’t. The trick is to use a relevant emoji, and to use them sparingly—one is often all it takes.

Ready to craft your next event email?

Read 20 Event Invitation Email Examples to Win RSVPs and How to write an invitation email for an event for inspiration and actionable tips.

If you need some inspiration to create good subject lines, we’ve curated this list of 30 email subject lines for events with examples to help you craft your own.

Examples of “announcement” email subject lines:

For more like these, check out our post on product launch email subject lines.

Examples of “personal invite” email subject lines:

Examples of “details inside” email subject lines:

Examples of “straightforward” email subject lines for events:

Examples of “pain point” email subject lines for events:

Examples of “today” email subject lines:

Examples of “last chance” email subject lines for events:

Examples of “catch up” subject lines:

Examples of “personal” subject lines:

Examples of countdown subject lines:

Examples of “free event” email subject lines:

Examples of “rare event” subject lines:

Examples of “collaboration” email subject lines:

Examples of “celebrity namedrop” subject lines:

Examples of “special invite” subject lines:

Examples of “curiosity-driven” subject lines:

Examples of “hashtag” subject lines:

Examples of topic-focused subject lines:

Examples of “season-inspired” subject lines:

Examples of “icon-inspired” event subject lines:

Examples of “special guest” subject lines:

Examples of “anticipation” subject lines:

Examples of “curiosity” subject lines:

Examples of social issue-inspired event subject lines:

Examples of “reason-based” subject lines:

Examples of “details upfront” subject lines:

Examples of “upcoming event” subject lines:

Examples of “question-based” subject lines:

Examples of location-based event subject lines:

Examples of “mark your calendar” subject lines:

Need ideas for your email content? Read How to Write an Invitation Email for an Event That Earns RSVPS for inspiration

When it comes to your event invitation, your subject line is your first impression. Whether you’re promoting an upcoming event, sending an invitation letter or giving a last-minute reminder, the rules are the same: keep it short, relevant, and to the point. 

Of course, a successful email campaign goes beyond the subject line. Flodesk offers an intuitive email builder that makes it easy to design beautiful emails that people want to read. Plus, you never get penalized for growing your list. Sign up here for a free 30-day trial.