Comments on: The Subject Line

By: Lori

Lori — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 13:29:27 +0000

Devon, that works well, too. I try to be direct with what it is they're going to see when they open it. "Query" is a super way to give them a head's up.

Paula, what do you use when you send an LOI to a corporate client? I've used "Letter of introduction" and I'm not convinced that's my best approach.

I like yours, Wade. That could be a great foot in the door.

By: Wade Finnegan

Wade Finnegan — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 20:50:35 +0000

I use "writer introduction" in my LOIs and so far have received decent response.

By: Paula

Paula — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 14:17:17 +0000

I usually use "Article Idea" or "Story Pitch" for queries. The tougher question is: What do you use in the subject line of your LOIs?

LOIs aren't queries. You're not pitching any ideas. You're inquiring about freelance opportunities, but have you ever noticed how many messages caught your spam filter include the word opportunities? I usually request guidelines or editorial calendars when I send LOIs, so I'll often use a subject line like, "Guidelines Request" or "Editorial Calendar Question" - then lead off the e-mail with that, including a tiny bit of professional info below, then wrap it up by saying how the guidelines/ed cal will help you tailor some ideas to their specific needs. It's not a major LOI, just a foot in the door - and by avoiding the word "opportunities," it probably won't get caught in the spam filter.

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 13:08:37 +0000

I put "Query" in the subject line, because that's how the person receiving it knows what to expect. If you try to make it a mystery, you don't intrigue them enough to open it; it usually goes into spam.