Do Subject Lines Really Matter?

Absolutely, but that isn’t necessarily what I want to talk about here.  Or is it? 

Recently I received a message using the subject line: “Do subject lines really matter?” Immediately opening it, I wanted to read more. Sometimes I struggle with subject lines, especially when communicating the real-world resources employers get here and how to use them. Cascade’s people understand what it’s like in the HR trenches, so every resource is designed to solve a problem and to make HR life a little easier (sometimes A LOT easier). But what inspires you to open our messages?

Here are some subject lines I think I’ll try using.  You be the judge of whether or not they inspire you to “read on.”

Subject:  Phone a Friend for a Sanity Check

AnswerSource is your helpline for answers to general compliance questions and for when you have questions about common workplace issues.  This is a solution-oriented service that gives back a 100% return on your membership investment.  We understand what it’s like in the HR world, so call 866.232.7378 or click for quick answers.

Subject:  Free Training

Yes, it’s true.  Just multiply .20 x (your annual membership fee) and you get the amount of free training available to you each year at Cascade. Of course we don’t want you to stop there, and Cascade members always get priority registration for training events. 

Speaking of training, I want to share a brief story.  Earlier this week I received a call from a Hospital’s HR director.  I could tell she loves what she does there and loves her team.  She told me she was excited to let me know that membership in Cascade was just approved, and proceeded to share why this means so much to her.  Four years ago she attended Cascade’s HR Leadership Certificate Program.  At the time, she was new to HR and her boss wanted to her get a solid foundation to support him as the HR director (now that’s an intuitive boss).  She went on to tell me the same boss recently retired and the Hospital appointed her to fill his position –  her dream job.   She now has a team assisting her with this growing role and wants one more team member:  Cascade.  “Since completing HR Leadership and becoming familiar with what’s really involved in confidently managing people, I want Cascade to be here to help my entire team perform with confidence.”  I said, “Welcome to Cascade”!

Subject:  You’ve Got P.L.G – Now What?

Power of a Large Group – and it’s hard to beat the power of a large group like Cascade.  From employee health insurance to a 401(k) savings plan, you haven’t done your homework if you’ve never received a quote from Cascade for both of these. It’s simple.

Subject:  Ask Your Employees What They’re Worth

After all, your employees know the answer because they access those free Internet sites that show them what their jobs should pay, saving you the inconvenience of researching pay data yourself. They’ll even print the data for you, verifying the source.

We’ve actually encountered this scenario from more than one employer.  What employees (and some employers) don’t realize is that most of those sites are based on national data that isn’t verified for accuracy or validity of those submitting data.  At Cascade you get data for employers by employers. Our innovative survey system, SalaryTrends, brings you fresh, accurate, and carefully-scrutinized local pay data to help you stay competitive and prosperous. One employer recently said, “Oh my gosh, SalaryTrends is my new best friend; it’s confidential, it goes above and beyond what I ever expected, and it’s always there when I need it.”

It  goes to show that subject lines really do matter.