In email fundraising, the first hurdle -- getting the email opened by the recipient -- is the hardest one.
Here's some help with subject lines from the Constant Contact blog, at 6 Ways to Use Personalization In Email Subject Lines for Better Open Rates:
- First names. (Big winner for open and click-through rates.)
- Interests. (What do you know about them based on their behavior?)
- Birthdays/Anniversaries. ("Happy Birthday" is often a big winner.
- Transaction history. (Refer to their giving history, such as "What you did exactly one year ago.")
- Urgency/scarcity. (Refer to something you know they've responded to before, such as "Last 24 hours for Thanksgiving meals.")
- Location. Refer to their local weather. Or just name their city or state.)