64+ Best Email Subject Lines For Contacting Alumni [2024]

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Updated: January 20th, 2022

If you're looking to boost your email open rates and increase sales, your email subject line is the first (and most important) step in achieving those goals.

Did you know that 33% of email recipients open emails because of an engaging subject line?

That's why it's critical to craft a catchy email subject line that will get you the traffic and conversions you deserve.

We've put together a list of 64+ best email subject lines for contacting alumni [2024].

Some are proven examples from other successful campaigns, and some are creative ideas to inspire you.

Creative Email Subject Line Ideas

Hello, [name], I'm [your name]
Are you available for an informational interview?
A quick question about [topic]
“Aspiring [Position]—Would Love to Ask You a Few Questions”
Hello, I have a question about [topic]
What do you recommend I do about [topic]?
It's been a while since we've spoken, [name]
“Your Recent [Article/Story/Interview] Blew Me Away”
I hope you had a great time at [event]!
I am eager to learn more about [topic]
You know a lot about [topic]. Can I ask a few questions?
What did you think about [topic] at [event]?
Just thinking about what you told me during that meetup. Care to discuss it further?
Referred by [Name] to discuss [Topic]
Can I share my ideas about [topic] with you?
Referred by [MUTUAL CONTACT NAME] to discuss [TOPIC]
Do have time to talk more about [topic]?
[Name], the ideas you shared about [topic] are fascinating
I would love to share stories about [topic]
Are you free on [day] to discuss [topic]?
Fellow [name of school] graduate that would like to connect
I thought your post about [topic] on [platform] was great
Congratulations on [accomplishment], [name]!
I'm new to [city], and I'd love to connect
[Mutual connection] recommended I introduce myself
Can we catch up before [event]?
A quick follow-up after [event]
Can you share your insights about [topic]?
I'd love to connect with you, [name]!
I'd love to help, [name]!
“Fellow Alum From [College] Who Loves [Industry]”
Can your experience with [topic] help me with [topic]?
I enjoyed your talk on [topic] at [event]
I'd love to know more about [topic]
Hi, [name], I'd like to introduce myself
I'm a big fan of your work, [name]
What advice do you have about [topic]?
Let's grab coffee soon, [name]!
It was nice meeting you at [event]
We met at [event] with [mutual connection]
Thanks for chatting with me at [event]
I think you'll enjoy this article on [topic]
“Completely Agree With Your Thoughts on [Topic]”
I love your work on [topic]
[Name], can you help me with [topic]?
Your recent article reminded me of [topic]
I enjoyed your recent article on [topic]
I read your work in [publication]
I'm a [job title] that would love to connect
I'm interested in [topic] too
Do you know [mutual connection]?
“Aspiring [Industry] Professional Looking for Advice From the Best”
[Name], can I ask for your opinion on [topic]?
This is [your name] from [event]
Will you be attending [event]?
I follow you on [platform], and I'd love to connect with you further
1I'm working on [topic] project, and I'd love to collaborate
What do you think about [topic]?
You inspired me to [action]
[Name], I'm interested in how you [action]
Looking to swap ideas with a fellow [OCCUPATION]
I agree with your ideas on [topic]
We met at [event]. How have you been?
Can you tell me more about [topic]?

GUIDE: How To Write A Great Subject Line

As we mentioned above, crafting a catchy subject line is critical to the performance of your email campaign.

While just a few words may seem like a small piece of your overall message, this is the first impression your audience will have before they decide whether to open your email.

If your subject line isn't engaging or appealing enough, there's a chance it could get buried in your reader's inbox.

Let's go over the proven tips on how to craft a subject line that boosts engagement:

What makes a great subject line?

First, let's discuss the fundamentals of creating a great subject line:

Spark interest and curiosity
A clear and urgent call to action
An offer/intriguing discount
Personalization (this can be done by sending out different versions of emails to subscribers based on their preferences)
Relevance - make sure your subject line covers the current trends and topics within your industry

5 Tips To Crafting a Great Subject Line

Now, let's dive into the specifics of how to create a great subject line for your next campaign:

1. Use a familiar sender name

Although this may seem obvious, it's a piece many marketers miss the ball on.

Your readers want to feel like your email is coming from a human and not a corporation or automated system.

One of the easiest and most effective ways to do this is by changing the sender's name to YOUR name or someone in the company that is well known.

Here's a great example of this from Marketing Examples

Pro Tip

Avoid the "no-reply" sender name at all costs. This makes your email feel unfamiliar, unapproachable, and less personable.

2. Keep your subject short and to the point

If your subject line is too long, it will get cut off, which could impact your reader's chances of opening your email.

The rule of thumb (for both mobile and desktop) is to keep your subject line under 50 characters.

3. Add personal touches to your subject line

If you have access to information about your subscriber (ie. name, location, etc), you can use this to benefit your subject line and catch your readers attention.

It's important not to go overboard here, but adding even the simplest touch such as their name can build trust and rapport.

Here's a great example of a personalized email + offer I received from BarkBox with my dog's name in the subject line:

4. Avoid making any false promises

Your subject line makes a commitment to your reader, so it's important you don't stretch the truth just to simply get more opens and clicks.

In the grand scheme of things, making false promises will end up hurting your open rate as your readers will lose trust in you.

5. Give them a sneak peek of what's inside

Telling your subscriber what is inside helps with open and clicks.

For example, if you're providing your reader with a free guide or e-book, consider making your subject line something along the lines of:

"Your FREE marketing e-book awaits!"

Conclusion

If you want your email campaign to perform well, it all starts with your subject line.

Think about the emails you receive in your inbox and what makes you click vs what gets buried - odds are, the same habits go for your customer.

We hope you enjoyed our guide + list of 64+ best email subject lines for contacting alumni [2024].

meet the author

Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.

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