Reaching out after a period of silence can feel challenging, but the right subject line can open the door to a meaningful response. Whether you're following up with a prospect, customer, or partner, a clear, relevant subject line can instantly boost the chances of your email getting opened.
In this guide, Donnager AI shares a few key principles and examples to help you write subject lines that feel natural, respectful, and attention-worthy.
What Makes a Great Reconnection Subject Line?
Before you start writing, ask yourself: Is the subject line relevant, clear, and easy to read?
Here are three foundational guidelines Donnager AI recommends:
- Stay aligned with the message: Make sure the subject line reflects the content of the email. Misleading openers break trust.
- Keep it concise: Your recipient is busy. Short subject lines stand out better in crowded inboxes.
- Make it skimmable: Avoid complex language or vague phrases—clarity beats cleverness.
Tips from Donnager AI for Writing Subject Lines That Reopen Doors
🔹 1. Keep it brief and purposeful
Aim for under 7 words. Avoid jargon. A focused subject line respects your reader’s time and makes your message more clickable.
🔹 2. Study what resonates with your audience
Review past emails they’ve sent or their company tone. A well-mirrored subject line signals familiarity and context.
🔹 3. Add a touch of curiosity or friendliness
Whether it’s a light question or a warm welcome back, subtle emotion helps your message stand out, without sounding forced.
Subject Lines That Work: 5 Proven Examples
These real-world subject lines show how brands successfully reignite engagement:
- “Welcome Back!” – Used by Sephora
Short, cheerful, and inviting. - “Get Back on the Road with Us” – From Progressive
Industry-relevant with a playful tone. - “Looking for a comeback?” – Sent by WD-40
A clever wordplay that grabs attention. - “Reach out if you want us back.” – From Goldman Sachs
Direct and confident, but non-intrusive. - “Let’s get this started over again.” – Shared by Square
Casual and optimistic—great for reinitiating a partnership or service.
Subject Lines That Miss the Mark
Even well-known brands can misfire when trying to re-engage. Here are a few subject lines Donnager AI recommends steering clear of, along with why they fall flat:
- “Still thinking about it?” – From Asana
Vague and slightly passive-aggressive. It lacks context and doesn’t feel inviting. - “Checking in.” – From Slack
Too generic. It doesn't hint at the value or purpose of the email, making it easy to ignore. - “Account updates available.” – From Dropbox
Overly transactional and cold for a reconnection email—it sounds more like a system notification. - “Hello from Monday.com” – From Monday.com
Sounds robotic and lacks a reason to continue the conversation. - “Your journey continues…” – From Duolingo
While creative, it’s vague. Without clear intent, it doesn’t entice the reader to click.
Closing Thoughts
Reconnecting via email doesn’t have to feel awkward or cold. With the right subject line, you can reopen conversations in a way that feels natural and well-timed.
Donnager AI helps founders and teams personalize every part of their cold outreach, including subject lines, using real-time insights from online profiles and behavior. Whether you're reviving a sales lead or reintroducing your product, a tailored subject line is your best first step.
Want help automating personalized subject lines at scale? Let Donnager AI show you how.
