50 Email Survey Subject Lines That Make Readers Click

Email survey response rates average just 10-15%, but the right subject line can boost opens by 40% or more. The difference between "Please take our survey" and "Your expertise is requested" can mean the difference between 100 responses and 1,000 responses.

If you’re not spending as much time writing a good subject line as you do the whole survey email, then take a second to reevaluate what you’re trying to achieve. Half your readers will open your mail just because of the subject line. In fact, email survey subject lines can make or break your game. 

In this guide, you'll discover 50 proven email survey subject lines that dramatically increase open rates, plus the psychological triggers that make them work.

In this blog, we will explore:

• Psychology behind effective subject lines
• How email survey subject lines can affect response rates
• 20 best email survey subject lines & why they work
• 30 bonus email survey subject lines: A cheatsheet
• Writing a good email survey subject line: Our top tips

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Psychology behind a high-converting subject lines

Ever wonder why some emails get opened immediately while others languish in the inbox for days, weeks, or even months? It turns out our brains make lightning-fast decisions about emails using some fascinating psychological shortcuts.

When we're scanning through a crowded inbox, certain phrases can trigger an almost irresistible urge to click. For instance, subject lines like "What did you think?" create this mental itch that we just have to scratch. Psychologists call this an information gap because our brains crave this completion and resolution, which is why we remember unfinished tasks better than completed ones. Our minds are wired to not like loose ends!

We're also heavily influenced by what others are doing. That's why subject lines mentioning "Join 10,000+ customers who shared their thoughts" can be so effective. After all humans have this herd mentality. We're hardwired to follow social cues; if that many people did something, there must be value in it, right?

Then there's our peculiar relationship with loss. We're actually about 2.5 times more motivated to avoid losing something than to gain something of equal value. That's why "Last chance to (say anything here)" can trigger that anxious feeling that you might miss out on something important.

And don't underestimate how much we all crave recognition. When an email suggests "Your expertise is requested," it positions us as valuable and knowledgeable. Who doesn't want to feel like their opinion matters?

These psychological triggers work because they tap into fundamental human needs for completion, belonging, security, and recognition. Next time you're crafting an email subject line, try appealing to one of these basic drivers. Your open rates might thank you for it!

How email survey subject lines can affect response rates

When you’re conducting online surveys, you need respondents to click on your email. That's why the subject line of your survey email is the most important part. It's the first step in getting them to fill out the survey. 

But wait. There's more—69% of people will trash an email based on the email subject line alone. 

Based on SurveySparrow's analysis, optimal subject lines contain 6 words or fewer for maximum open rates

I skim email subject lines to know if they're worth my time, and based on my observations, here are some key factors that I'm influenced by. 

Want your email surveys to get clicked? With SurveySparrow, you can create personalized email surveys with subject lines that grab attention. Sign up below and watch your survey opens go up. 

20 best email survey subject lines & why they work

What can you say in the email subject to make readers want to fill out your survey? Staring at that empty text box, you might feel lost. 

But you don’t need to reinvent the wheel here. We’ve got some great examples of email survey subject lines that actually work. 

Whether you're asking for feedback or running an NPS survey, these will help. Let's take a look at 20 of the best ones, and why they work. 

• Tell us honestly, what did you think?
• Can we chat?
• We can’t get better without your help.
• What did you think?
• We have some questions for you.
• You have a [product]. And an opinion.
• Take our survey, earn 30% off.
• Help us improve.
• Your expertise is requested.
• Do you feel good about your work?
• Got a minute to spare?
• Penny for your thoughts?
• Your feedback means everything.
• Tell us about yourself.
• Let’s keep our conversation going.
• Did we do something wrong?
• If you weren’t satisfied…
• We’re making some big changes, and we need your help.
• Don’t say we never asked.
• Help us help you.

1. Tell us honestly, what did you think?

Why it works: It’s very easy and plain to ask “What did you think?”. But it’s also boring. A customer will receive thousands of emails with that subject line. 

But just tweaking it a little bit to include a call for honesty changes everything. It makes readers introspect about their thoughts, and leads to more accurate answers.

Of course, the first time it is difficult to create an original subject line. If so, do not hesitate to request help from a professional essaywriter that will help you with writing quality and accurate content.

2. <Name>, can we chat?

Why it works: Like we discussed, personalization goes a long way. 

This question also has an intimate feeling to it, as if it was a text from a friend. What’s more, the question indicates respect for your customers’ time, asking for it only if they’re available. 

All in all, this is a cool email subject line that is guaranteed to bring respondents.

3. We can’t get better without your help.

Why it works: If you want to motivate an action, just let your readers know what the consequence would be – either of taking that action or of not taking it. 

In this survey invitation message example, you’re telling readers that if they don’t help you, you can’t improve. That again communicates to respondents that you value their help.

4. What did you think, <Name>?

Why it works: Like we said, questions are gold in an email subject line. Who doesn’t like to feel like their thoughts are valuable? 

Haven’t you ever wanted to be interviewed, to get the feeling that another person is focused on what you think? That’s the emotion this email survey subject line is working with.

5. We have some questions for you.

Why it works: This is one of the more fun survey subject lines on the list. 

Of course, it sounds like an interrogation by a police officer, but you’re doing it in a different context, so it’s fun. 

This is sure to intrigue your respondents, and also gives your brand a fun and lightweight vibe while attracting responses.

6. You have a [product]. And an opinion.

Why it works: This survey subject line is particularly suited for after-sales surveys. If a customer has bought your product, it’s always a good idea to ask them what they think about it. 

By mentioning their opinion, you’ve brought it to the surface. Now that it’s on their mind, it won’t take them that much time or effort to tell you what it is.

7. <Name>, take our survey, earn 30% off.

Why it works: We’ve talked about this, remember? Incentivize responses. It’s not just a marketing gimmick. 

When recipients see such email survey subject lines in your inbox, they will feel like they’re being compensated for their time. That’ll make them more likely to give you that time to respond to your online survey.

8. Help improve <Brand>.

Why it works: These email subject lines are tricky because they assume that your reader is interested in improving your brand. 

However, if you already have a brand presence, it can work wonders. Large companies like Facebook and Twitter often use this email strategy. If readers like your brand or rely on your products, they will be invested in improving it.

9. Your expertise is requested.

Why it works: Isn’t this a cool email subject line? LinkedIn uses it for their email surveys, and they’re very effective. 

There’s nothing better than making the reader feel special, and that you want their insights. Who doesn’t want to talk about their area of expertise? So, make readers feel valued with this email survey subject line.

10. Do you feel good about your work?

Why it works: If you’re conducting an employee engagement survey, this is the perfect survey subject line to go with. 

We’re relying on posing a question, in this case, one that might as well be in your employee engagement survey. Pick out the most interesting question in your survey, and viola! You have an email survey subject line.

11. Got a minute to spare?

Why it works: This is one of the more generic survey subject lines to go with, but it works. Somehow, when you ask people this question, they will be more likely to click your email. 

In their head, they’re thinking “Yes, I’ve got a minute to spare,” and that’s the affirmative response you need to get them interested.

12. Penny for your thoughts?

Why it works: This is a relatively new trick when it comes to email marketing. Pick up conversational phrases that wouldn’t normally be used in a survey email. 

Readers know what you’re talking about, and it will help position your brand as friendly. They’ll be more likely to help you out by answering your online survey.

13. Your feedback means everything, <Name>

Why it works: One of the biggest reasons people don’t answer online surveys is that they feel it doesn’t matter. Your responses will just become a data point that is left ignored. 

In order to get respondents, you need to undo this notion. By indicating that their feedback is valued, you make them feel more secure about investing their time in your survey.

14. <Name>, tell us about yourself.

Why it works: Writing the best email survey subject lines is, at its heart, about finding out your respondents’ motivations. 

It helps, then, to find out what common motivations your audience might have. That’s what this survey email subject line plays upon. People are motivated to talk about themselves.

15. Let’s keep our conversation going.

Why it works: When you want readers to fill out a survey, you’re faced with the inertia that they’re going to have to get involved in a whole new thing. 

If it is instead something they’ve already invested in, they’ll be more likely to see it through. That’s how this email subject line helps, by giving readers the impression of continuity.

16. Did we do something wrong?

Why it works: This question is definitely provocative. So firstly, it will get a lot of people to click on your email. If they like your product, they’ll want to say that you didn’t. 

If they didn’t, then they’ll tell you what’s wrong. It might seem like you’re focusing on the negatives, but you’re actually just nudging readers to be honest.

17. If you weren’t satisfied…

Why it works: Following in the line of negatively phrased email subject lines, this one works well. It targets specifically the customers who weren’t satisfied with your product. 

That is why it’s perfect for customer surveys that are focused on finding out areas of improvement. It’s also a great way to offer discounts.

18. We’re making some big changes, and we need your help.

Why it works: You don’t need to be making big changes to use this email survey subject line. 

The spirit of the email is that you want to improve, and you’re enlisting the reader’s help. They’ll be invested in steering you in the right direction.

19. Don’t say we never asked.

Why it works: This is an email subject line with more personality than you might want to show with your brand. 

But if you’re comfortable with it, this is a great email survey subject line. You’re positioning yourself as friendly and humorous, while also attracting readers into your survey.

20. Help us help you, <Name>

Why it works: The formula here again is to incentivize readers to take your survey by offering something in return, in this case, a better product. 

By focusing on making your customers’ life easier, you’re giving them the motivation to fill out your online survey. A personalized email subject line like this is bound to give you responses.

Did you know that 47% of email recipients decide whether to open the email based purely on the subject line? That’s half your audience.

Cheatsheet: 30+ bonus email survey subject lines

Customer Feedback & Experience Surveys

High-Performing Templates:

1. [Name], how was your [product] experience? (Personalized + specific)

2. Your expertise is requested (Authority trigger)

3. We can't improve without your help (Vulnerability + importance)

4. Rate your experience in 30 seconds (Time-specific commitment)

5. What's one thing we could do better? (Single-focus question)

6. Your honest feedback = our improvement (Value equation)

Mobile-Optimized Versions:

7. [Name], quick question (18 characters - perfect for mobile)

8. How'd we do? (11 characters - ultra-short)

9. Your thoughts? (13 characters - conversational) 

Post-Purchase & Product Feedback

E-commerce Focused:

10. How's your [product] working out? (Conversational + specific)

11. [Product] delivered - quick question (Contextual timing)

12. Your [brand] review = 20% off next order (Clear incentive)

13. Love it or hate it? Tell us (Binary choice psychology)

14. [Name], would you recommend [product]? (NPS-style direct)

SaaS & Tech Products

15. Help us improve [feature] - 2 minutes (Specific + time-bound)

16. Your [software] feedback shapes our roadmap (Impact messaging)

17. How's [tool] helping your workflow? (Benefit-focused)

Employee Engagement & Internal Surveys

Workplace Culture:

18. Your workplace voice matters (Empowerment messaging)

19. Anonymous feedback - speak freely (Psychological safety)

20. Help shape [company]'s future (Ownership feeling)

21. What would make work better for you? (Personal benefit focus)

Performance & Development:

22. Quick check-in on your experience (Casual + caring)

23. Your career feedback requested (Professional development angle)

Market Research & Industry Insights

Professional Audiences:

24. [Industry] professional survey - 3 minutes (Identity + time commitment)

25. Your industry expertise needed (Authority recognition)

26. Shape the future of [industry] (Impact beyond company)

27. [Name], we value your professional insight (Respect + personalization)

NPS & Loyalty Surveys

Recommendation-Based:

28. Would you recommend us? (Honestly) (Honesty trigger)

29. Rate us - it takes 30 seconds (Specific time commitment)

30. How likely are you to recommend [brand]? (Classic NPS approach)

Advanced 2025 Techniques

Psychological Trigger Variations:

31. Last chance to share your feedback (FOMO/urgency)

32. Join 10,000+ customers who shared their thoughts (Social proof)

33. Your feedback = [specific improvement] (Direct cause-effect)

34. What would [competitor] do differently? (Competitive angle)

35. [Name], we're all ears (Emotional + personal)

You can customize these subject lines for many types of surveys, from product feedback to general customer satisfaction. 

Suggested reading: 6 Ways to Personalize Your Emails for B2B and B2C Audiences

Writing a good email survey subject line: Our top tips

“How do I get people to start a survey?”

We used to think the answer to this was writing catchy headlines or creative subject lines. But we wrong. The truth is, there are a few simple rules you can follow to create engaging survey subject lines yourself. It's all about understand what will intrigue your readers.

With our tips, we hope you will get some great ideas for email survey subject lines.

Tip 1: Personalize your email subject line

The verdict is clear on this one: personalization leads to more clicks. When people feel like they’re directly talking to you, they will be more likely to care.

You might think that this trick has gotten old now. But think about some of the email campaigns you’ve received recently. Sure, you may not have clicked some that had your name. But weren’t they still so much better than impersonal marketing campaigns? 

There’s no running away from the fact that your email survey subject lines need to be personal.

However, it’s not just the subject lines. You can actually boost response rates by 40% if you personalize certain other aspects of your survey email – like logo, colors, and others. The TinyEmail blog has plenty of such tips around email best practices.

Survey software like SurveySparrow offers a ton of white-labeling features. You can create a free account to try it for yourself.

Get a 14-day free trial of our paid features

Tip 2: Incentivize responses

An age-old trick for getting respondents on your survey is to give them offers in exchange. Domino’s does this particularly well with their discount offer if you take a survey. 

Another option is to reduce a customer’s bill during purchase if they answer a quick survey. You could also think of other incentives to offer your customers. That’s up to you. 

But if you include an offer in one of your survey subject lines, with the proper survey incentive wording, people are more likely to be intrigued. And compensating your customers or employees for their time is, after all, only fair.

Tip 3: Pose a question

Well, you are sending out a survey, after all. Why not ask one of the more interesting questions of your survey in your email survey subject line? 

For example, for an employee engagement survey, you could ask “How have you been feeling about your work?” People will be very likely to click on such a survey email.

This is the simplest trick in the book. It is also sincere. You’re not deceiving your respondents into opening the email, which would leave a bad taste. You’re asking them exactly what you’re curious about, so they won’t feel betrayed when they find a survey in the email.

Tip 4: Automate survey emails

When you automate email surveys, it helps you send them at the perfect time, so people are more likely to see and open them. 

With SurveySparrow, you can also set up automatic follow-up emails for those who didn’t respond the first time, giving them another chance to fill out the survey. 

Plus, automation lets you send different surveys to different groups based on their profile or how they responded before. This makes your emails more personal—meaning better open rates. 

Suggested reading: How to Send Automated Emails: A Comprehensive Guide

Wrapping up

Your next survey campaign could be the most successful one yet. The 50+ subject lines and psychological strategies in this helped thousands of businesses increase their survey responses by 40% or more. 

The cost of ignoring these is pretty significant because you’d lose out on about a huge chunk of responses by having a poor subject line. So, don’t let another survey campaign underperform. SurveySparrow was made to make it as easy as possible. Use the AI-powered platform to automatically optimize subject lines using these exact psychological triggers. Try it today!

Got questions? Book a call with us and get it all cleared out.