3 Minutes On: Email Subject Lines

At 37, I’m at least 20 years too old to use the Face With Tears of Joy emoji as much as I do. Here’s a secret, though: 99.99% of the time I use it, I’m not actually crying tears of joy. Instead, it’s usually shorthand for “I’ve got nothing else to add to this conversation.” But whether it’s a Thumbs Up, Flexed Biceps, or Smiling Face With Sunglasses emoji, there’s no doubt that emojis have become an integral part of how we communicate. 

In this first episode of “3 Minutes On”—a new video series from Firewood that features our team discussing creative trends that have caught their attention—Associate Creative Director Anya Stafford and I take a closer look at the increasing use of emojis in marketing-email subject lines. 

Emojis are used in about 6.5% of subject lines, and when they are used, can result in a spike in open rates. Whatever your thoughts on emojis, they’re clearly providing a way to cut through the competitive email landscape. 

In addition to emojis, we also touch on the art of personalization without being too personal, why it’s important to remember the human touch, and, ultimately, what we believe separates great email subject lines from the ones that make us go ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.

And all in just over three minutes. Enjoy!