4 Benefits of Using Emojis in Email Subject Lines

Richard Larson — May 2, 2017

Email open rates are vital to the success of your email marketing campaigns. Up until now, there really hasn’t been one silver bullet that will ensure an increase in email open rates. However, emojis can be that sure thing if they are done right. There are a few things to consider before spraying your subject lines with emojis because they have to be done with finesse. Know your audience and the demographics to ensure that your audience “gets” the emoji meanings. You also have to have the right tone with your emojis and make sure that your audience understands your tone and meaning and it doesn’t come across as unprofessional. Lastly, you should test your subject lines on all platforms to make sure that your emojis will render properly. Once you have those concerns under control, here are four benefits for using emojis.

1. Increased open rates: The most important reason for using emojis in your email subject lines is the increase in open rates that have been reported. According to Experian, 56% of brands that used emojis in their emails subject lines saw a higher open rate.
   
2. Save space: The old saying of “a picture is worth a thousand words” applies, in short order, to emojis. You can save space with an emoji and shorter subject lines are usually more effective. Especially when it comes to mobile, saving space is a priority.
   
3. Convey emotion and personality: Emojis can convey emotion. So, in addition to saving space, they can also quickly convey an emotion to your email recipients. It is sometimes hard for companies to convey emotion or find that emotional connection with customers, emojis can show the lighter side. Emojis can make your company appear more personable.
   
4. Stand out in the crowd: Emojis can help your email stand out in the inbox. One of the reasons for the higher open rate can be how much those emojis stand out against all the text that usually fills the inbox.

Summary and takeaways for your company

This doesn’t mean to flood your email subject lines with emojis. Instead, heed the warning signs and considerations, and then begin to use emojis. Then you can reap the benefits from using emojis in your email subject lines including increased open rates, save space, convey emotion, and your emails will stand out in the crowded inbox.

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