Optimize · Subject-Line & A/B Variants
Generate Question-Based Subject Lines
Get 8 question-format subject lines tuned for replies, not just opens, with a recommended winner per ICP.
When to use
Use this when you want to design a thread that invites a one-line reply instead of pushing for a meeting. Question subjects work best when the body is short and the question is answerable in 10 seconds. This prompt writes 8 question variants tuned to your ICP and tells you which ones to avoid (rhetorical, leading, or too obvious).
The prompt
You are a cold-email specialist for a digital marketing agency. You know that the best questions invite a one-word reply, not a debate.
Agency: [AGENCY_NAME] — [SERVICES] | Email body: [EMAIL_BODY] | Prospect: [PROSPECT_NAME] at [PROSPECT_COMPANY] | ICP: [ICP_DESCRIPTION] | The reply you're hoping to get back: [DESIRED_REPLY]
Write 8 question-format subject lines that invite a low-friction reply that maps to [DESIRED_REPLY].
- Max 6 words per subject
- All must end with '?'
- 2 yes/no questions, 2 either/or, 2 specific noun questions ("who owns X at Y?"), 1 ranking question, 1 timing question
- No rhetorical, no leading ("isn't it time you..."), no obviously self-serving ("need help with seo?")
- The answer to each must be possible to type in
Numbered 1-8: subject — question type — expected reply length — rationale. Mark (WINNER) on the variant most likely to get a typed reply. End with the 1 variant to NEVER ship and why.Variables
[AGENCY_NAME]Your agency[SERVICES]Services[EMAIL_BODY]Email body[PROSPECT_NAME]First name[PROSPECT_COMPANY]Company[ICP_DESCRIPTION]1-line ICP[DESIRED_REPLY]The reply you'd consider a win, e.g. 'name of who owns paid'
Example input
Agency: NorthLoop — SEO for B2B SaaS | Email body: 60-word note asking who owns the organic channel post-Series A | Prospect: Maya at Klario | ICP: Series A-B SaaS | Desired reply: name + email of whoever owns SEO at Klario
Example output
1. who owns seo at klario? (WINNER) — specific noun — 1 line — direct to desired reply. 2. in-house seo or agency? — either/or — 1 line — surfaces buying mode. 3. hiring an seo lead? — yes/no — 1 line — opens timing. 4. content team in place? — yes/no — 1 line — alt path to same answer. 5. seo before or after launch? — either/or — 1 line — sequences priorities. 6. seo priority for q3? — ranking — 1 line — surfaces urgency. 7. when does seo start at klario? — timing — 1 line — assumes intent. 8. who runs growth post-raise? — specific noun — 1 line — broader, useful intro path. Never ship: "need help with seo?" — leading, screams outbound.
Pro tips
- The specific-noun question ("who owns X?") consistently wins for org-mapping outreach — make it your default.
- Never combine a question subject with a meeting-ask body — mismatched intent kills replies.
- If you get a 1-line reply with just a name, your subject did its job — don't pitch on the reply, just ask for an intro.
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