What Should Be in the Follow Up Subject Line

Have you ever found yourself staring blankly at your inbox, struggling to come up with the right subject line for a follow-up email?

We’ve all been there, grappling with the challenge of capturing attention, sparking curiosity, and avoiding the dreaded “spam” label—all while maintaining a genuine and relatable tone.

Crafting an email subject line that strikes the right balance can be a real head-scratcher. How do you cut through the noise and stand out in a sea of messages vying for attention? Is there a secret formula for engaging your recipient?

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In this article, we’ll delve into the art of creating follow-up email subject lines that pack a punch. Get ready to transform your follow-up emails into attention-grabbing gems that won’t go unnoticed.

Let’s dive in and crack the subject line code together!

Contents

Understanding the Power of Follow-Up Emails

In the realm of cold email outreach, your initial email is just the beginning. Follow-up emails play an essential role in nurturing relationships, maintaining communication, and ensuring your messages don’t get lost in the recipient’s inbox.

Crafting the perfect follow-up email is not just about what’s written in the body, but also how you present it.

The subject line can make or break your follow-up effort, making it an area that deserves your attention and strategic thinking.

The Science Behind the Subject Line

In our email-focused world, the average person receives a staggering number of emails each day.

Your email, whether it’s a follow-up to a job email after an interview call, a post-networking event message, or a check-in after a phone or coffee chat, needs to stand out in that crowded inbox.

That’s where the power of the subject line comes in. The subject line is the first thing your recipient sees, even before they open the email.

A well-crafted follow-up email subject line can pique your recipient’s curiosity, grab their attention, and prompt them to read your email.

In contrast, a lackluster subject line may result in your carefully composed follow-up email being unopened or, worse, deleted.

The Role of Job Titles and Company Names in Subject Lines

A subject line should give the recipient an idea of what the email contains, but it’s also an opportunity to make your message stand out. Personalization plays a key role in this.

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Using the recipient’s job title or the company name in the subject line of your follow-up email shows that you’ve put extra effort into crafting the email.

It indicates a genuine interest in the recipient and their career path, and it also helps to grab the recipient’s attention amid a sea of generic emails.

Crafting Compelling Follow-Up Email Subject Lines

A well-constructed subject line can significantly increase the chances of your follow-up email being read.

Let’s discuss some strategies to write captivating subject lines for writing your follow-up emails.

A Balance of Courtesy and Directness

The subject line of your follow-up email should strike a balance between being polite and being direct.

It’s a reflection of the tone of your email, so you want it to be professional, yet approachable. A good rule of thumb is to make the subject line action-oriented.

It should tell the recipient what the email is about while also suggesting a clear next step. For example, a follow-up email after a job interview could have the subject line:

“Re: Interview for [Job Title] – Thank you and next steps?”

Leverage the Power of ‘Thank You’

Gratitude goes a long way. Including a thank you in your follow-up email subject line can be a powerful tool. After a phone interview or an in-person interview, a simple “Thank you for your time, [Recipient’s name]” can resonate with your potential employer.

Not only does it express your appreciation for the interviewer’s time, but it also sets a positive tone for the rest of the email.

Make It Personal and Specific

A personalized subject line immediately stands out. This could involve mentioning a topic discussed during the meeting or a mutual connection.

Alternatively, it could be referencing a specific meeting date or a future role they’re interested in.

A good follow-up subject line might be: “Discussing our mutual interest in [shared topic]”.

Remember, your follow up email subject line should also align with the content of your email message.

Misleading or irrelevant subject lines can lead to a loss of trust and lower response rates from your target audience.

That’s it for the first part of this blog post. In the next segment, we’ll dive deeper into creating perfect subject lines for different scenarios and explore follow-up email templates that can help streamline your process.

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Don’t forget to sign up for Mailarrow, our top-notch cold email outreach software that can help manage your follow-ups efficiently and effectively.

Subject Lines for Post-Networking Events

Networking events are excellent platforms to establish new professional relationships and rekindle old ones. The follow-up email after a networking event is crucial for fostering these connections. The subject line can play a significant role in capturing your recipient’s attention.

Consider referencing the networking event in your subject line. For instance,

“Great meeting you at [Event Name]” or

“Following up from [Event Name]”

This reminds your contact where you met and instantly establishes the context of your email.

Job Application Follow-Up Email Subject Lines

The job application process often involves several stages, including the application submission, the interview process, and the hiring process. Follow-up emails can play a pivotal role at each of these stages.

The subject line for a follow-up application could incorporate the job title and the company name to clearly convey the email’s purpose. For example:

“Following up on [Job Title] application at [Company Name]”

After an interview, whether it was a phone interview or an in-person interview, your interview follow up email back-up email subject line could mention the interview and show gratitude. For instance:

“Thank you for the [Job Title] interview at [Company Name]”

Crafting the Perfect Follow-Up Email After No Response

Waiting for a response can be nerve-wracking, especially if it’s related to a job interview or an important professional relationship.

If your previous email did not receive a response, it’s critical to send a second follow up email with a compelling subject line.

Avoid using the same subject line as the previous emails. Instead, choose a subject line that indicates your intention to follow up without sounding too desperate or pushy. A subject line like,

“Checking in: [Job Title] Interview at [Company Name]” or

“Hoping to hear about the [Job Title] position” could work well.

Follow-Up Emails for Phone or Coffee Chats

Informal meetings such as a phone calls or coffee chats provide an opportunity to discuss industry trends, career paths, and potential collaborations. Follow-up emails can ensure that the conversation continues beyond the meeting.

For such emails, a follow-up subject line that references a specific point from your discussion can pique the recipient’s interest. A good example could be:

“Expanding on our coffee chat discussion about [topic]”.

Remember, the success of your follow up message top-up strategy hinges largely on your ability to create engaging, relevant, and personalized subject lines that resonate with your recipients.

Don’t miss the next segment, where we’ll delve into more specific examples and templates for your follow-up emails.

Remember to sign up for Mailarrow, our state-of-the-art cold email outreach software that simplifies the process of crafting and managing your follow-up emails.

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Follow-Up Email Templates: Your Guide to Success

When it comes to crafting the perfect follow-up email, starting from scratch each time can be a daunting task. That’s where follow-up email templates come in.

They offer a basic structure that can be customized to fit your needs, allowing you to maintain a consistent tone while saving you valuable time.

Let’s explore some templates for different scenarios, keeping in mind that the subject line and the body of the email should align in content and tone.

Follow-Up After a Job Interview

Subject Line: “Thank you for the opportunity, [Interviewer’s Name]”

Body: Start with expressing gratitude for the interviewer’s time, then summarize a key point from the interview, linking it to your own career path or past work. End with a line about looking forward to hearing about the next steps in the hiring process.

Networking Event Follow-Up

Subject Line: “Great connecting at [Event Name], [Recipient’s Name]”

Body: Mention a specific conversation or topic from the event that you found interesting. This shows that you were genuinely interested and engaged during the event. Propose a next meeting, either virtually or in the same city, to continue the discussion.

Follow-Up after No Response

Subject Line: “Re: [Job Title] application follow-up”

Body: Start with a polite reminder of your previous email, then state your continued interest in the role. It’s also a good idea to include an updated piece of information that reinforces your suitability for the job.

Harnessing the Power of Personalization

A follow-up email should never feel generic. The more personal touch you can bring to the table, the more likely you are to engage the reader and receive a response.

This goes beyond just using the recipient’s name in the subject line. Reference specific topics discussed, the company’s pain points, or mutual connections, which can help your message stand out from other candidates.

Staying Persistent without Being Annoying

There’s a thin line between following up persistently and becoming a nuisance. The right tone in your subject lines can make a big difference.

A great way to balance this is to acknowledge the recipient’s busy schedule in your follow-up emails while still expressing your interest.

Don’t forget to sign up for Mailarrow, our dedicated cold email outreach software, to streamline your follow-up efforts and increase your response rates.

Understanding the Timing of Follow-Up Emails

Just as important as crafting the perfect follow-up email subject line is determining the optimal timing for your follow-up email. Sending it too soon may seem desperate, while waiting too long could make you appear disinterested.

For job interviews, it’s standard to send a thank you email within 24 hours of the interview. This timing shows that you respect the hiring manager’s time and that you are genuinely interested in the role.

After networking events or informational interviews, a follow-up within 48 hours is ideal. This timeframe keeps the interaction fresh in the recipient’s mind while providing you an opportunity to further the professional relationship.

If there’s no response to your follow-up, you might wonder when to hit send on a second follow-up email. The rule of thumb here is to wait about a week. It respects the recipient’s busy schedule while emphasizing your genuine interest.

Evaluating Your Follow-Up Strategy: Measuring Response Rates

A well-crafted subject line can increase the chances of your follow-up email being opened, but how do you know if your strategy is working?

The key metric here is response rates. High response rates indicate that your subject lines are effective at piquing the recipient’s curiosity and that your email content is engaging.

Using email outreach software like Mailarrow can make tracking this metric much easier. It provides real-time data on email opens, clicks, and responses, providing valuable insights into your email campaigns.

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The Impact of A/B Testing on Your Follow-Up Emails

In order to improve your response rates, consider A/B testing different subject lines. This involves sending one version of your follow-up email to a portion of your list, and a different version to another portion.

By comparing the response rates of both versions, you can gain insights into what works best for your target audience.

Sign up for Mailarrow, our powerful cold email outreach software, to boost your follow-up efforts and improve your email response rates.

With Mailarrow, you can create, send, and track follow-up emails, ensuring your messages don’t get lost in your recipient’s inbox.

The Power of Persistence in Follow-Up Emails

Persistence in follow-up emails is a balancing act. While follow-ups are critical to professional success, understanding when to continue and when to stop is important.

Sending a second follow-up email after no response is acceptable and shows your genuine interest in the topic discussed.

But remember, it’s not only about the frequency of your follow-ups, but also about the quality of your emails.

How to Make Your Follow-Up Emails Stand Out

In a sea of unread emails, how do you ensure that your follow-up email gets noticed? This is where the subject line comes into play.

Personalized email subject lines that include the recipient’s name, job title, or specific meeting date are more likely to catch their attention.

The content of your email also matters. Ask further questions that show you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in their company or career path.

Adding this level of detail helps your email message stand out from the other candidates.

Adding Value with Your Follow-Up Emails

A good follow-up email adds value to the recipient. In your subject line, indicate the value they will get by opening and reading your email.

This could involve offering a new perspective, sharing relevant industry news, or simply showing gratitude for a great meeting.

Creating perfect subject lines isn’t easy, but with practice and guidance, you can develop the skill to write compelling subject lines that will boost your response rates and support your professional growth.

Remember, Mailarrow, our robust cold email outreach software, can greatly simplify your follow-up process.

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With its robust tracking capabilities, you can ensure your messages stand out, even in a busy inbox. Sign up for Mailarrow today and take your follow-up game to the next level.

Navigating the Next Steps

So, you’ve sent your follow-up email, and you’ve received a response—congratulations! But now what?

How do you handle the next few weeks and steps in the hiring process, or continue to cultivate a professional relationship with a new contact?

Whether you’re corresponding with a potential employer or a new professional contact, remember to maintain a respectful and professional tone.

Thank the recipient for their response, answer any questions they might have, and propose the next meeting or further discussion confirmed their questions.

For job interviews, it’s important to send another follow-up email after an interview, indicating your continued interest in the future role.

For networking contacts, suggest a phone or coffee chat to continue the discussion and deepen the relationship.

Building and Maintaining Relationships

Remember, follow-up emails aren’t just about achieving immediate goals—they’re also about building long-term professional relationships.

Keep in touch with your contacts, even if there’s no immediate benefit. A short message or even a thank you email during the holiday season can keep the relationship warm.

Mastering the Art of the Follow-Up

Becoming proficient in the art of the follow-up requires time, practice, and a bit of extra effort. With the right tools, such as follow-up email templates, and an understanding of why the subject line matters, you can improve your response rates and build meaningful professional connections.

That brings us to the end of Part 6 of our in-depth look at follow-up emails. In our final part, we’ll wrap up everything we’ve learned so far and give you some tips on how to continue improving your follow-up emails.

Remember, Mailarrow, our dedicated cold email outreach software, is designed to help you streamline and optimize your follow-up emails. Why not sign up today and see how Mailarrow can support your follow-up efforts?

Recap and Key Takeaways

Throughout this guide, we’ve discussed the importance of follow-up emails in various scenarios, from job interviews to networking events.

We’ve learned that crafting a compelling subject line is essential for getting your email noticed in a recipient’s inbox. We’ve also covered that timing your follow-ups right can make a significant difference in their effectiveness.

Continuous Improvement: Always Strive for Better

Remember, writing the perfect follow-up email is a skill that you can always improve on. It’s important to continually analyze your emails‘ performance, experiment with different subject lines, and adjust your approach based on feedback and results.

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The right tone, personal touch, and a subject line that grabs the reader’s attention are all elements that can make your email stand out.

However, don’t forget about the value of patience and persistence—sometimes, your second follow-up email might just be the one that gets you the desired response.

Conclusion

Crafting effective follow-up emails with compelling subject lines is a vital skill that can make a substantial difference in your career path.

By understanding the art and science behind follow-up emails, you can increase your chances of standing out in a crowded inbox and moving forward in your professional journey.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to build significant connections and advance your career.

Try out Mailarrow, our dedicated cold email outreach software, and make the process of crafting, sending, and tracking your follow-up emails a breeze.

With its robust features and user-friendly interface, Mailarrow can be the game-changer in your email outreach strategy.

Thank you for following along this in-depth guide on mastering the art of follow-up emails. We hope you’ve found the information helpful and are now better equipped to write persuasive follow-up emails that will get you the responses you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should be the subject of follow up email?

The subject of a follow up email should clearly communicate the intent of your message. It could be as simple as

“Follow-Up on Our Meeting” or more specific, such as

Discussing Next Steps for Project X”.

Make sure to write and keep it brief and relevant.

What is the subject line for follow up application?

The subject line for a follow-up application could be

“Following Up on My Application for [Job Title]”.

Including the job title and the term “application” makes it clear what your email is about and increases the chances of getting noticed.

What is the subject line for a follow up email with no response?

For a follow-up email after receiving no response, your subject line could be

“Re: [Original Subject Line]”

to remind the recipient about your previous email. Alternatively, you could use a more direct approach such as

“Awaiting Your Feedback on [Topic]”

to prompt a response.

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What do you put in the subject line for a follow up email?

The subject line for a follow-up email should reflect its purpose. You could use

“Checking in on [Topic]” or

“Further Discussion on [Topic]”

depending on the context of your email. Always aim for clarity and relevancy in your subject lines.

What is a follow up meeting?

A follow-up meeting is a scheduled meeting that takes place after an initial meeting, event, or discussion. The purpose of pleasure meeting is typically to review progress, discuss feedback, or plan next steps.

How do you professionally say follow up?

Saying follow-up professionally could be as simple as

“I’m writing to follow up on our previous conversation” or

“I wanted to follow up on the proposal I sent last week”.

Ensure to be respectful, clear, and to the point.

How do you follow up after a meeting example?

After a meeting, you might write something like this:

“Subject Line: Great Meeting Yesterday – Next Steps”.

The body of your email could thank you email the recipient for their time, briefly summarize the meeting’s key points, and suggest next steps or ask for further input.

Serge Shlykov is the founder of Mailarrow. Rotterdam Business School graduate and a long-time software engineer he has been running his own agency and SaaS business before realizing how many people are struggling with cold email outreach. This made him create Mailarrow, the cold email outreach software that helps you build great relationships at scale. Find him on Twitter and LinkedIn