As business owners or marketers, we spend a lot of time thinking about creative content ideas for our websites, blog posts and emails (we even have a content idea guide), but do you get as creative with your email subject lines? If your subject line doesn’t grab your recipient’s attention, your message may never get read, and you don’t want that to happen!

We scoured inboxes far and wide to put together this mega list of 50 compelling email subject lines for inspiration. Notice as you peruse the list, differences between retail, business-to-business and non-profit. Have any favorites? And, most importantly, how can you leverage these email subject lines for your own emails?

Retail

Gap: Hurry! Save NOW until 10AM Wednesday 

ModCloth: 20% off. 100% awesome.

David’s Tea: In store exclusive: free honey for mom

Pottery Barn Kids: ★ 3 great sales TODAY only! ★ Save 20% + free shipping on beach towels, gear & Freeport Chairs

Omaha Steaks: ★This is almost too good to be true…★

Open Table: Give the Gift of Deliciousness

lululemon athletica: did someone say brownies?

Tory Burch: Ends Today: 25% Off — Friends & Fans Event

Piperlime: Extra 25% off SALE items under $100

Lilly Pulitzer: Take a peek at our new summer catalog…

Old Navy: Got SUPER CASH, Kim? Redeem It Today!

Orbitz: Quick! This promo code’s ending soon

J Crew Factory: HURRY: This deal will change at noon

Shutterfly: 3 days left: Up to 40% + get an extra 20% off

abercrombie kids: we could just say ‘thanks’ but we think this is way better…

Wine.com: Weekend savings up to 50% on CA favorites

Fabletics: want to win $100 to fabletics?

Banana Republic: Surprise! (Can you guess what yours is?)

Birdy Botanicals: Our Newest Product Just Got Better & A Favorite Local Event is Back

Walgreens: Your selfies aren’t going to print themselves – 40% off mobile photo orders with our FREE App

Kara’s Cupcakes: A Trio of Seasonal Favorites for Your Enjoyment!

Priceline: Get $20 Off Hotels Instantly! Email Exclusive

Warby Parker: Finally

Everlane: See What’s Coming

Birchbox: Come Back and Get a Free Gift

Photojojo: *NEW* A Portable Pop-Up Photo Studio

Workshop: We’ve got spring fever at workshop! Check out our calendar for our spring faves!

B2B (Business to Business)

Copyblogger: Renew your Authority membership right now (and save big) 

Social Media Bulletin: Marketing Metrics Bible – 70-Page Guide

Practical Ecommerce: Report: Top 10 Comparison Shopping Engines

Big Data Bulletin: Includes: How to Avoid the Worst Big Data Mistakes You Can Make

Which Test Won: Test of the Week: Demo vs Video – Which Copy Won 48.2% More Leads?

Dasheroo: Top 5 Customer Support Metrics You Need to Track, Now!

PsPrint: The Results Are In: Top Designs from Our Artwork Contest!

CMSWire News: This Week: Jive, Cisco Collaborate + Better Mobile Workforce Management

Fanatic Promotion: “Power pop prog space rock so futuristic it makes you nostalgic for music that hasn’t been thought up yet!” – Roctober

Non-Profit

Marine Mammal Center: Show Your Mom Some Love

Humane Society of the United States: Be inspired, create change

American Diabetes Association: We need backup

American Red Cross: Everyday heroes like you

American Lung Association: Honoring our volunteers

World Wildlife Fund: Reminder: Jill, You Can Make a Huge Difference

Humane Society of the United States: Need some convincing?

American Diabetes Association: Take it. Share it. Step Out.

Care and Share Food Bank: Eat your greens!

Friends of the Sea Otter: Mother’s Day Spa and Dinner Raffle 

Community Music Center: New Items Added to the Community Music Center Auction!

SFMOMA: It’s Not Too Late

The San Francisco Ballet Association: Don’t miss the final program of the season!

Root Division: Take an Art Class! Fall Schedule

Need some help crafting your own email subject lines? We’ve got an easy Conversation Starter tool for that. Be sure to check out the “Worst Email Subject Lines, Ever!” as well.

Need help with subject line capitalization? Our own blog writers use this handy title capitalization tool to make sure their headlines are always up to snuff.

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© 2014, Contributing Author. All rights reserved.