Key Takeaways
  • One subject line drew 3.2 times the response. In CDMG’s test for an investment newsletter client, the Tesla subject line pulled a 17.2% response rate. The broader tech-trend subject line pulled 5.36%.
  • Give readers a specific reason to open. The winning line named a company investors recognized and hinted at a potential payoff. Try testing a specific name, number, or benefit your audience cares about.
  • Test one change at a time to learn what drove the lift. The winning line changed both the subject and the benefit. In your next test, change one of those elements and keep the other steady.
  • Pick your success metric before you send. For a sales email, track orders per delivered email. For a lead-generation email, track qualified leads per delivered email.

 

Testing is critical to any marketing campaign.

This applies to graphics, copy, and more.

Always test – your results will show you how to boost response…and profits.

Here is a test for email subject lines that we recently used for an investment newsletter client:

Subject line A: Tech Revolution Megatrend Dead ahead

Subject line B: Unstoppable Tesla Megatrend could mean investor windfall

Which one do you think performed better?

If you guessed B, you’re correct. B received a 17.2% response rate, while

A received a 5.36% response rate.

Action:

Before you send your next email, give your subject line some competition.

Which would pull more response from your list? A specific name your readers recognize? A benefit they can picture? A question they want answered?

Send Michael the subject line you’re planning to use and tell him what you want the email to generate. He can help you choose a challenger worth testing and decide how to measure the winner.

Contact Michael before your next send. Call 615-933-4647 or email [email protected].

Unlock Explosive Growth with CDMG, Inc.
Your Partner for Digital Success

In today’s fast-paced world, you need more than just an agency—you need a partner who drives growth, amplifies your brand, and delivers results that matter. That’s where CDMG comes in.

We’re not just another ad agency. We are a top advertising and marketing powerhouse that specializes in driving real, measurable results and profits. Our award-winning team, led by marketing veterans Craig and Caleb Huey, is dedicated to supercharging your advertising efforts and transforming your business.

Why CDMG?

  • Proven Success: 120 prestigious awards in 2024 alone.
  • Data-Driven Strategy: We don’t guess. We know what works. Our campaigns are crafted with precision to deliver maximum ROI.
  • Expertise Across the Board: From media buying to digital copywriting, testing, and direct-to-consumer strategies—we’ve got it all covered.
  • Real Results: We’ve helped launch new products, reposition brands, and turn small businesses into multimillion-dollar success stories.

Let us help with your video needs!

We produce:
• Pre-roll videos
• Video sales letters (VSLs)
• TV commercials
• Infomercials
• Addressable TV
• Videologs
…and much more!

Whether you’re looking to launch a new product, reposition your brand, or supercharge your e-commerce growth, CDMG is the partner you need to dominate your market.

Are you ready to see how we can drive your growth?

Let’s talk. Call Michael Oppenheimer at 615-933-4647 or email [email protected] today. Don’t wait—start transforming your marketing results now with CDMG, Inc.

Act now, grow faster, and achieve more with CDMG.

FAQs:

Q: Which email subject line won the investment newsletter test?
A: The subject line that named Tesla and hinted at a potential investor payoff won. It drew a 17.2% response rate versus 5.36% for the broader tech-trend subject line. That’s 11.84 percentage points higher. 

Q: What should I test first in my email subject line?
A: Start with one element. Test a specific name against a broad category, or test a concrete reader benefit against a general promise. Keep the rest of the subject line as similar as possible so you can learn which change made a difference.

Q: How do I run a fair email subject-line A/B test?
A: Randomly split the same audience into two comparable groups. Keep the sender, preheader, email copy, offer, and send time the same. Give both groups the same amount of time to respond.

Q: How do I decide which subject line wins?
A: Choose the metric that matches your campaign goal before sending. If you want sales, compare orders per delivered email. If you want leads, compare qualified leads per delivered email. Use opens and clicks to help explain what happened along the way.

About Craig Huey:

Craig Huey is President of Creative Direct Marketing Group (CDMGinc.com), a 30-year leader in direct response advertising and multi-channel marketing. Under his leadership, CDMG has:

  • Tested more than 10,000 digital marketing variables.
  • Mailed over 10 million pieces of direct mail in the last year alone.
  • Won more than 120 awards for marketing excellence.

Craig is also the publisher of Direct Marketing Update, the trusted newsletter for company presidents and marketing directors looking to maximize ROI with cutting-edge, accountable advertising strategies.