Subject Line A or B. Which worked better?

Reader,

When I lived in New York City I’d get asked “So, what do you do?” roughly 5 million times a week.

Since I’m a weirdo who loves to test everything, I tried all kinds of answers to see what would get the most positive response. I might say I was an author, writer, adviser. 

What was interesting was how job titles that sounded virtually the same — like writer or author — got a completely different response. I’d say writer and they’d say “Oh I have a friend who’s a writer. He’s trying to publish his book on using cucumbers to generate sustainable energy for —” etc.

But when I’d say author, they’d perk up. “Oh? What do you write about?”

You can get vastly different reactions from people when you say the same thing, just with different words. (This video proves the point beautifully.) 

That can be the difference between...

• A Facebook post people like vs. one they ignore 
• A resume that gets you a job vs. one that isn’t even read 
• Someone buying from you instead of a competitor

Let me show you what I mean:

Even when we say the same thing, the responses changed dramatically based on the words we used. Here are a few of the email subjects we've tested against each other. See if you can guess which ones performed best for a launch of my now-closed Zero to Launch:

TEST #1 

* * *

TEST #2

* * *

TEST #3

* * *

In every instance above, Subject Line A was opened by at least 3,000 more people than Subject Line B. We were able to engage far more readers simply by tweaking a few words. 

The words you use matter. Use the right ones and more people will listen to what you have to say, buy the products or services you're selling, and even refer their friends and family to you. 

Now how do you find the exact words that your customers need to hear?

Next week, I’ll show you. 

We’ll be taking a look inside my premium copywriting course, Call to Action, and how it can DOUBLE your revenue in just 18 months. Stay tuned.

P.S. Get ready! On Sunday, 11/29, the digital version of my NYT best-selling book will be on sale for $1.99. (Check your local Amazon site if you’re outside the U.S.)

The second edition includes:

• 80 new pages of new tools
• New insights on money & psychology and love & money
• Plus stories of people who used the book to create their Rich Lives

Right now, my book has 4.7 stars on Amazon and over 4,200 reviews…

If you read my emails but have never read my book, this is a great time. I'll send you a reminder on Sunday too.