When people read emails, the first thing they read is the sender’s name.
The second is the subject line.
Then based on these two, they’ll either open the email, or they won’t.
When you’re writing to strangers, the first thing they look at – your name – won’t mean anything.
So your title MUST be compelling. If it isn’t, you’ve virtually no chance they’ll open it.
Here are three titles that work well …
My favourite: include a mutual contact’s name.
For example, if I’m emailing a lady called Clare and we have a mutual connection called Jane Smith who said I could use her name in the email, my title is
“Clare, Jane Smith suggested I email you to say …”
Clare will probably open this. After all, she wonders what Jane’s been saying!
A second option: if Clare/her company’s been in the press, use that: “Clare, a quick question about the article about you in yesterday’s Times newspaper…”
Again, she’ll probably open this. Wouldn’t you?
Third one: include a topic you know she’s likely to be interested in.
Three good options. All much better than “Meeting request”!
Action Point
Next time you’re emailing a stranger, ensure your title includes a mutual connection, some recent press about them, or a topic that’ll interest them.