Importance of survey email subject lines for maximum responses

A whopping 69% of people decide if an email lands in their inbox or spam folder based solely on the subject line.

If your survey email subject line raises any suspicion or contains generic or salesy phrases, poof, into the trash it goes.

Right after the sender’s name, the survey email subject lines are the next chance to make a good impression.

They set the tone for your survey and tell recipients what to expect. A boring subject line translates to a boring survey (in their minds), and leads to a swift “delete” click.

Your subject lines for survey emails need to be short, catchy, and give viewers a reason to invest their time to yield a high response.

Research shows sweet spots exist for subject line length, too. Emails with 6-10 words have the highest open rates.

11 best survey email subject lines that make readers want to click

Here is a selection of the best survey email subject lines that spark curiosity, convey urgency, and ultimately drive engagement.

1. “Exclusive Survey Invitation: Your Input Needed!”

Everyone loves feeling special, and this subject line achieves that by framing the survey as an exclusive invitation.

It triggers curiosity about what makes it exclusive and why their input is specifically requested, which increases the likelihood of engagement.

2. “Help Us Help You! Quick Survey on [Your Survey Topic]”

This survey email subject line is short and sweet, and clocks in at under 10 words – the sweet spot for high open rates.

It also uses the ever-popular “you” word that grabs the reader’s attention and highlights the benefit of taking the survey.

3. “Survey S.O.S.: Your Input Needed to Save the Day!”

This subject line uses humor and a touch of excitement to grab attention and create urgency.

Framing the survey as an S.O.S. call for help makes recipients feel needed and important.

4. “Take this 2-Minute Survey To Help Us Make [Product/Service] Better”

This subject line for the survey email hits all the right notes. It clearly states the purpose of the email (survey) and offers a benefit (making the product/service better).

The addition of a “2-minute survey” reassures busy survey makers that it won’t take a huge chunk of their time.

5. “Help us out (and get 10% off!) – Quick Survey Inside”

This subject line hits two birds with one stone. It clearly states there’s a survey involved, but also sweetens the deal with a discount incentive.

The “Help us out” part creates a sense of community and motivates readers to contribute.

7. “We Need Your Input: Take Our Survey Today!”

By framing participation as a need, this survey email subject line creates a sense of urgency and importance.

It appeals to the reader’s sense of responsibility and makes them feel integral to the decision-making process.

6. “Don’t Miss Out: Take Our Survey Now!”

This subject line creates a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out) by implying that there’s something valuable or important to be gained by participating in the survey.

Nobody wants to miss out on opportunities or experiences, so the urgency conveyed by “now” encourages the reader to click and take action immediately.

7. “Get Personal: Share Your Feedback Today!”

By using the word “personal,” this subject line creates a sense of intimacy and connection with the reader.

It encourages them to see the survey as an opportunity to share their individual thoughts and experiences, rather than just providing generic feedback.

8. “Confession Time! What do you REALLY think of [Topic]?”

This subject line sparks curiosity with a playful “confession” theme. It encourages a more candid response by making it feel like a safe space to share true thoughts.

9. “Feeling Surveyed Out? This One’s Quick & Fun (Promise!)”

This subject line acknowledges that people might be tired of surveys, but assures them that yours is different. It uses positive language (“quick” and “fun”) to encourage them to give it a try.

10. “We’re all ears! Quick survey on how we can improve your experience.”

This subject line uses a friendly and approachable tone with the phrase “We’re all ears”. It clearly outlines the survey’s purpose, letting readers know they’re helping to improve their own experience.

11. “Got a Minute? Take Our Quick Survey and Make an Impact”

By suggesting that the survey will only take a minute to complete, this subject line lowers the perceived barrier to participation and increases the likelihood of engagement.

It also appeals to the reader’s desire to make a positive impact that will motivate them to take action.

Tips to come up with the best survey email subject lines

Here are some great tips to keep in mind when writing survey email subject lines, building on the examples we just explored.

Induce a sense of urgency

When people feel a time constraint, they’re more likely to prioritize your email and respond promptly. Emails that induce a sense of urgency see a 22% higher open rate.

The key is to strike a balance between urgency and approachability. You want to convey a sense of importance without coming across as pushy or demanding.

To create a sense of urgency, use action-oriented language that conveys a need for quick action, such as “Act Now,” “Limited Time Offer,” or “Don’t Miss Out.” Additionally, including phrases like “Today Only” or “Last Chance” emphasizes the urgency even further.

Humor can also be a powerful tool to make urgency feel less intimidating and more engaging.

For instance, you could use subject lines like “Quick! Before the Coffee Gets Cold,” or “Time’s Ticking – Let’s Make Decisions Fast!”

Personalize your subject lines

Personalizing your survey email subject lines can significantly increase open rates and engagement.

Instead of using generic phrases, address your recipients by name or reference specific information about them, such as their recent interactions with your brand or their previous survey responses.

A simple salutation with their name will instantly grab attention and show that you care about their individual opinion.

Group your audience based on demographics, purchase history, or previous survey responses. Then, tailor your survey email subject lines to their specific interests.

For example, if you’re surveying recent app users, try: “Hey [Name], How’s the New [App Feature] Working?” The same subject line won’t work for someone who’s been a user for years.

Make your subject lines incentives-driven

People are busy. Why should they take time out of their day to fill out your survey? One surefire strategy for writing click-worthy email titles is to make your subject lines incentives-driven.

The best email subject lines for surveys offer something enticing, something that will make your recipients sit up and take notice.

Your incentives don’t have to be extravagant. It’s the thought that counts, not the dollar signs. Think along the lines of discounts, freebies, or the chance to win a coveted prize.

Be upfront about the reward and its requirements in the survey email subject lines. Don’t mislead people with false promises, since it will damage trust and hurt future survey responses.

Avoid spam traps

Weird spacing, excessive punctuation, and caps lock abuse are all red flags that scream spam. And let’s not forget about those special fonts trying a bit too hard to stand out in a crowd.

To avoid spam traps, don’t use shady symbols or weird characters in your subject Line. Stick to standard letters, numbers, and punctuation.

Emojis might seem cute, but they can also look suspicious. Avoid misspelled words and unnatural phrasing and stick to clear, concise language that looks legitimate.

Remember not to be “urgent” all the time. Constant urgency triggers suspicion. Use it sparingly for truly time-sensitive survey emails.

Build & distribute surveys with formaloo

When writing email survey subject lines, remember to keep them concise, clear, and engaging, while offering a reason for recipients to click.

Don’t forget to personalize whenever possible and incentivize participation when appropriate.

Now that you’ve got your subject line game on point, it’s time to build and distribute your surveys with ease.

Formaloo is a powerful yet user-friendly survey platform that lets you create beautiful, engaging surveys. Plus, Formaloo seamlessly integrates with Gmail’s SMTP server and allows you to send your survey emails directly from your familiar Gmail account.

Sign up for a free Formaloo trial today.