12 Funny Email Subject Lines & What Makes Them Work

It’s time to bring joy into your email campaigns! With the right approach, humorous subject lines can become a crucial ingredient of your campaign’s success. However, the key to making it work lies in the right balance between fun and professionalism.

Join us today and learn how to make your funny subject lines the cream of the crop!

5 Reasons to Use Funny Subject Lines

You might be wondering: does humor actually belong in email subject lines? Sure, it fits holidays like April Fool’s Day, but what about other occasions and email campaigns in general?

The answer is a resounding “Yes”! 72% of people stated they prefer brands that incorporate a humorous approach into their communications. Amusing and relevant jokes are appreciated by the audience and can turn a good subject line into an outstanding one.

But how exactly can funny subject lines benefit your email marketing campaigns? Let’s break it down.

They Boost Engagement

Genuinely funny subject lines have a 25% higher open rate compared to regular ones. A successful joke feels like a breath of fresh air for the recipients, sparking curiosity and leading them to check what awaits in the email.

They Create a Positive Impression

Good humor not only triggers positive emotions but also significantly influences how the brand is perceived. With the help of well-made and appropriate jokes, your brand has all the chances to prove itself as approachable and friendly. In turn, this encourages stronger client relationships and makes the customer journey feel even more joyous.

They Help to Stand Out

Attracting attention in a crowded inbox is not easy. A humorous subject line with a clever twist may become your secret weapon to stand out in the sea of mundane and formulaic subject lines. It’s a fun way to differentiate your brand and spur the recipient’s curiosity from the get-go.

They Humanize Your Brand

Funny subject lines can add a human touch to your communications and make your brand look more relatable. A humorous approach has the power to engage on an emotional level and help establish a unique connection with your audience. It makes them feel like they’re chatting with a friend rather than just another faceless corporation.

They Encourage Social Sharing

Great subject lines can go beyond simply boosting the open rates: they have the potential to make your campaign go viral. A fun and smart subject line may encourage the email recipients to share the message with others, either by forwarding it or talking about it on social media. This will increase your visibility and may help you attract new customers.

How to Make a Funny Email Subject Line: 8 Best Practices

And now let’s get to crafting your funny email subject lines! Don’t be tricked by their comical nature: a good email subject line is much more than just throwing in a random joke. It requires thought, strategy, and a deep understanding of your brand and audience. 

Here are 8 best practices that will show you how to get it right.

Stay True to Your Brand Identity

Humor works best when it aligns with your brand’s tone of voice. Whether you prefer to keep it light-hearted or lean towards something a bit more adventurous, your humor should reflect that to keep the communications cohesive and honest.

Better than a pony

Surreal

For example, Surreal is a brand known for its quirky and… well, surreal sense of humor. The subject line above shows exactly that and falls perfectly in line with the brand’s personality.

Be Genuine

Authenticity is key. Genuine jokes feel natural, resonate with the audience better, and make your subject lines more engaging. 

On the contrary, forced humor can do more harm than good. It’s easy to spot, can fall flat, and makes the joke feel out of place. No need to put a random joke in a subject line just for the sake of it. Keep the humor sincere to establish an emotional connection and encourage email opens.

Just because you CAN flush it doesn’t mean you SHOULD

TUSHY

TUSHY shows how to remain genuine in a funny subject line. The company produces toilet appliances and approaches its email marketing efforts with a humor that’s on par with its products (yet remains authentic and not vulgar).

Keep the Subject Line Short & Clear

Among the most vital aspects of a perfect email subject line is its length: the basic rule here is “the shorter, the better”. Some of the most catchy email subject lines are characterized by being clear and concise.

Why is that? There are 2 major reasons:

• First, a snappy subject line makes an instant, strong impact and is more likely to be read in full. 
• Second, technical limitations require keeping the subject line relatively short: around 50 to 60 characters for the desktop, and about 30 characters for proper display on mobile.

Your cart’s aging like a fine bourbon

Huckberry

Huckberry shows one of the best email subject lines that’s fun, straightforward, and takes up only 37 characters (including spaces).

Consider the Context

Consistency is crucial not only between communications but in a single email as well. Regardless of whether the subject line is funny or serious, it should set the right expectations for the email content. When you choose to make the subject line humorous, ensure that the email body follows through with that tone.

Is this the CUTEST THING you’ve ever seen?

Grind

A subject line example by Grind here pairs nicely with the email content, hinting at the brand’s collaboration with Hello Kitty.

Be Playful

People are naturally drawn to content that they find entertaining or intriguing. This is exactly where creative playfulness can make your email subject lines feel more delightful. It can take many forms:

• wordplay 
• alliteration
• double entendres 
• unexpected twists

On top of that, consistent use of playful language helps to define and reinforce your brand’s voice, making it more distinctive in the minds of your audience.

Controversy at its most delicious.

Ooni Pizza Ovens

Among the perfect examples here is this subject line by Ooni Pizza Ovens that plays with the “controversial” topic of pineapple pizza.

Balance Humour and Information

Jokes are a powerful tool to capture attention. Yet it’s also essential to ensure that your subject line communicates the necessary information. 

Humor should enhance, not obscure, the message. Whether your goal is to announce a sale, share a monthly newsletter, or invite subscribers to an event, the subject line must align with this purpose. Strike the right balance between being funny and informative to ensure that your audience knows what to expect.

Father’s Day is June 19th! <insert dad joke here>

Evite

Here’s a great subject line example by Evite that’s fun and totally direct with its purpose. An excellent email copy also helps to underline that the brand isn’t above dad jokes.

Use Emojis (Sparingly)

Emojis have become a staple in online communications: they bring color, emotions, and personality to otherwise plain text. And when it comes to humorous subject lines, emojis feel right at home.

Funny faces and colorful symbols can lighten the tone, enhance the visual appeal, and add an extra layer of fun to the message. Use emojis thoughtfully to make them a perfect finishing touch for already great subject lines.

new flavor era loading…😏

Poppi

Here, Poppi does it just right: an emoji perfectly complements the subject line (and adds a note of playfulness as well).

Test Your Subject Lines

Even the most thought-out subject line might not perform as expected, which is why tests are an essential part of any email marketing strategy. Use A/B testing to compare different subject line versions, determine which one resonates best with your audience, and refine your approach for a perfect result.

Need to craft extra funny email subject line options, but don’t know where to start? Embrace the power of AI assistant by Blocks: use it to immediately generate 3 subject lines and preheaders based on the email content. All that’s left is to add a personal touch by spicing them up with jokes that fit your brand and style.

5 Aspects That Require Extra Attention

Humor comes in different forms, and some of its aspects and elements require increased consideration. While their proper handling may enhance your funny subject line, they won’t do any good if used incorrectly. 

Let’s take a look at 5 aspects to be a bit more cautious with when crafting a humorous subject line.

Pop Culture References & Memes

References and memes are a fantastic way to connect with the recipients if your brand targets a younger or pop-culture savvy demographic. Memes in particular are often funny by nature, and using them can automatically inject humor into your subject lines.

At the same time, references and memes bring a share of concerns:

• They may have a short lifespan: what’s funny and relevant today becomes outdated tomorrow. Keep your memes and references current to avoid seeming out of touch.
• Your audience might not be familiar with some niche meme or an obscure reference. These might not only resonate with a specific group but also alienate others who don’t get it.
• References or memes must feel natural. Irrelevant and forced ones look awkward and detract from the overall message.

You know, I’m something of a mixologist myself…

Fellow

One of the better examples is this subject line by Fellow that references a popular (and surprisingly long-lasting) meme.

Puns

Puns are a classic form of wordplay. A clever and unique pun can add a playful twist to your subject lines and help them stick in the recipient’s mind. 

On the flip side, puns are rather tricky. Overused or clichéd ones come across as lazy and sound unimaginative at best. Additionally, too many puns in a subject line may diminish its impact and make your brand seem less serious.

Of course, we don’t discourage you from using puns at all. If you come up with some excellent ones, they will become a perfect addition to your catchy subject lines.

Wanna See What We Do Best? Cool.

RTIC

Here, RTIC features a smart pun in its subject line that plays on the brand’s product line.

Sarcasm

Sarcasm relies on saying the opposite of what you mean, often in a cutting or ironic way. An effective sarcastic joke can make your subject line stand out by adding a layer of wit. However, sarcasm is a risky choice since it’s notoriously difficult to convey in writing without being misinterpreted.

This type of humor fits brands with an edgy approach. Here, it can create an emotional response: like a chuckle or a nod of agreement. Though of course, not everyone appreciates sarcasm, and if the email touches upon a serious topic, a sarcastic subject line may create a disconnect with the audience. In that case, it’s better to avoid the sarcastic tone altogether.

You probably drive your mum crazy

StrangeLove

A good example is demonstrated here by StrangeLove. Both the subject line and the email copy are sarcastic yet heartfelt at the same time.

Slang

As with references and memes, slang is highly audience-dependent: what resonates with one group of people simply might not click with another. For instance:

• Professional slang might be a good choice for those who are well-versed in a certain field but will sound overly complex for a more general audience.
• Youth slang may work for the respective demographics yet won’t sit well with adult recipients.
• On the contrary, slang from the 1990s might awaken nostalgic feelings in Gen X or Millennials but alienate younger audiences.

Make sure the slang you use is appropriate for your target audience and won’t confuse the recipients. And of course, keep it modest: a little slang might make your subject line more engaging, but too much will make it appear unprofessional.

Your new summer obsession is SO extra

United Sodas of America

As an example, this subject line by United Sodas of America features the slang term “extra” (used to describe something over-the-top or dramatic) that plays on the name of the drink.

Cultural Differences

Finally, we need to touch upon differences between cultures. It’s a rather delicate matter since an acceptable joke in one culture might be confusing or inappropriate in another. This is equally important for both global and regional brands: even one country will most likely have people of varied cultural backgrounds.

In addition, topics like religion, politics, or certain historical events can be particularly sensitive in different cultures. It’s generally best to steer clear of these areas in humor unless you’re certain it will be well-received.

Maybe you died?

Liquid Death

Check out this subject line example by Liquid Death. In its case, this type of black humor works well and fits the brand’s voice and identity. Yet in general, the theme of death is perceived very differently across various cultures and should be approached with caution.

3 Details to Avoid in Subject Lines

While some aspects of funny subject lines require additional discretion, there are also the ones that simply aren’t a laughing matter.

In general, we can identify 3 details to stay away from in your subject line and email campaign as a whole. These must be avoided at all costs if you don’t want to alienate your subscribers:

1. Offensive content. Even if your audience prefers hot takes and spicy humor, you still need to be careful with the content of your marketing campaigns. Whether intentional or unintentional, jokes that are racist, sexist, or otherwise offensive can quickly backfire and lead to unsubscribes, public backlash, and loss of trust.

Before putting a subject line to use, consider getting feedback from distinct groups of people to identify any potential issues that you might have missed. And if you work with a very diverse audience, it’s better to focus on jokes that are universally understood and avoid any content that could be interpreted as divisive or hurtful.

2. Inappropriate use of jokes. Sometimes, the use of humor in subject lines is simply not okay. For example, when natural disasters or public tragedies hit, jokes usually come across as tone-deaf or rude. The same goes for generally sensitive topics like serious health issues, financial difficulties, or personal safety.

Assess the situation before including humor in your subject line. Consider the context and current circumstances: if there’s any doubt, it’s safer to opt for a more neutral tone.

3. Clickbait. We all hate to be deceived. You may come up with the funniest joke ever, but if it’s used to create misleading or sensationalized subject lines that don’t match the email content, this may harm your brand’s credibility in the long run.

Ensure that your subject lines accurately reflect what your email has to offer. If you’re providing a discount, specify what it is. If you’re sharing the news, make sure they’re worthy. Use fun and engaging language that excites your audience while remaining truthful.

In Conclusion

Nothing beats a good joke, including in marketing communications. Now you know how to use humor effectively and craft the subject lines that are both joyous and attention-grabbing.

And to wrap things up, here’s a checklist to make the most of your funny email subject lines:

• keep the humor and tone in line with your brand personality and email content
• make the subject lines snappy and playful to instantly catch the recipient’s attention
• provide a balance between being funny and informative
• spice up your subject lines with relevant emojis
• use references, memes, and slang carefully in your email subject lines
• keep the insensitive and offensive content out of your subject lines and email campaigns
• mind the timing and cultural differences
• test various subject lines to choose the best one and gain valuable insights