Only a dozy estate agent would ignore this

If you are reading this I’ve two things to say.

Firstly an apology – The subject line wasn’t aimed at you. You’re obviously not stupid.

Secondly – There’s a method in my rudeness – The same subject line was used by me two years ago and the email open rates went through the roof. It was like I was offering the key to access clean and fresh toilets at Glastonbury.

Why? Because it grabs the attention and is aimed directly at my target audience – estate agents.

Headlines and subject lines have never been more important in grabbing a reader’s attention. We all have 1001 distractions within the course of an hour.

Relentless demands on our time and precious energy resources. We dismiss instantly anything that doesn’t hit the sweet spot.

The headlines and subject lines you use in your communications to your audience, whether you use digital or print methods, need to arouse curiosity straight away.

Too many agents send out newsletters that are titled Our Summer / Winter Newsletter etc – it’s a step in the direction of making your brand sound bland.

The reader is left thinking ‘so what, what’s in it for me? Why should I give you MY time?’

There’s a different way of doing it.

With a little creativity and courage there’s no reason why your subject lines or headlines can’t grab that most valuable of any of a person’s resources – their time.

Now I don’t encourage the semi confrontational approach of the subject line used here.

Instead try asking your audience a question such as – Is this the reason your property hasn’t sold? Then write up an article about ten reasons houses stick on the market.

If you are sending out a digital newsletter go for a summary of what’s inside – Great local days out (don’t just use your newsletters to sell – remember help before hype), fancy a £2000 family home (if you were running a historical piece about the local market in the 1930s) and win yourself a slap up family meal (many people love a competition and this gets them reading.)

So rather than ‘Re: Our Summer Newsletter’ you’ve got a subject line of:

Great local days out, fancy a £2000 home? Plus win yourself a slap up meal.

I know which of the two options I’d be more inclined to open.

Also look outside of the industry for inspiration. Innocent Drinks, Paddy Power betting and Virgin Media (although only sometimes) create some cracking headlines / subject lines in their communications.

Thanks for reading and here’s to your next instruction.

Jerry.

PS: There are still some postcodes available for my Blog in a Box packages at a discounted rate. To find out more ping me an email at Jerry@propertyprexpert.co.uk

Jerry Lyons

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

New anti-money laundering rules now in effect: what landlords need to know

New anti-money laundering (AML) rules came into effect this month, marking a significant change for landlords and the lettings industry as a whole. The new rules mean financial sanctions checks are now required for all lettings, regardless of how much rent is charged. Here, Steve Bond, managing director of residential lettings for Beresfords, explains what…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 4/06/25

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   Stanmore Contractors announces new Stanmore Design House division Stanmore Contractors, the UK’s leading specialist contractor, has today announced the launch of Stanmore Design House, a new division that will provide RIBA Stage 4 and onwards technical design services to its clients – alongside integrated…
Read More
Breaking News

£200 increase in void period penalties for landlords

The latest analysis by Dwelly, one of the UK’s leading lettings acquisition and success planning experts, has found that landlords have been hit with a 26% increase in the cost of void periods in the past year, equivalent to lost income of almost £200. Dwelly analysed average void period data from March 2024 and March…
Read More
Breaking News

37% of homebuyers see purchases delayed

The latest research by GetAgent Exchange, a new platform enabling agents to monetise out-of-area applicant leads, has found that whilst the majority of homebuyers also have a property to sell themselves, 41% don’t consider selling their current property until having started the viewing process for their new home, at the very least. The survey of…
Read More
Seaside Properties UK
Breaking News

Isle of Wight best sun-seeking hotspot for homebuyers

Isle of Wight ranks as most affordable sun-seeking hotspot for homebuyers The latest research from over-50s property specialists, Regency Living, reveals that in the UK’s sunniest county, homebuyers are paying an average of £835 for every minute of daily sunshine. For some homebuyers, living in a place that offers warm weather and sunshine is a…
Read More
Coastal and sea front property
Breaking News

Coast to city cuts property values by £4,300 per minute

Commuting from coast to city can save homebuyers as much as £4,300 per minute New research from Yopa, the full-service estate agents, has revealed where the nation’s homebuyers can secure a coastal lifestyle whilst also remaining within commutable distance of a major city, saving themselves hundreds of thousands of pounds in the process. Yopa analysed…
Read More