Does a cake with no decorations look tempting to eat? Would you buy a car with a great engine if it doesn’t have a sleek design, comfortable seats, and high-quality tyres? Most people won’t.

This might come as a surprise, but email marketing works in a similar way.

It’s not enough to write a subject line, draft an email body, and call it a day. There are several parts of an email that go into making it good.

So, if you want your emails to inspire action, you’ll need to incorporate many more elements than just the basics.

In this blog, we’ll be walking you through the eight most essential email components.

What are the Parts of an Email: Everything You Need to Know

Email marketing is complicated and we get it! But if you’re neglecting the most important part of it - the email itself - you’re simply pouring water into a sieve.

The list below will help you understand what are the parts of an email and why you should invest time in making them perfect.

1. Subject Line

This one’s a no-brainer, and you’re probably already giving it your best. However, considering its importance, the subject line earned its place at the top of this list.

Remember how we’ve always been taught that the first impression is the last impression? Well, it couldn’t be truer in this case.

The subject line is your first interaction with the potential customer, and it’s your chance to make a good first impression.

Let’s say you receive an email from Target right this second, and the subject line says, 

‘New Products Just Dropped!’ 

What are the chances you’re going to open it? It is almost close to none because the subject line is vague and generic. 

To give its customers a reason to click, they might’ve said something like:

‘Explore Our New Patio Collection with 10% off.’ 

This way, those interested in upgrading their outdoor area will be indeed tempted to take a look! 

2. Salutation

You might think most customers ignore the salutation, but that’s not the truth. The way you greet your customers before presenting your offer decides how they perceive you and your business.

The salutation is one of the most important parts of an email, and it must look like this email was meant for the person reading it.

This is why personalization is the best way to go. Grabbing a person’s attention by calling out their name always works.

However, sometimes you may not have the recipient’s name, and that’s okay too. You can still make things work by choosing a warm, engaging greeting, not to sound detached.

At the same time, make sure your salutation aligns with the tone of your brand.

To illustrate, a hotel’s marketing manager can send out emails with informal salutations like 

‘Hey there, fellow traveller.’ 

But you won’t expect the same from a professional platform like LinkedIn. It doesn’t sound appropriate if LinkedIn emails you saying,

‘Howdy, professional networker,’ 

Does it?

3. Sender/From Information

If the recipient of an email can’t identify you, your email is going straight to the trash can. 

Remember, your identity is your business, so your sender/from information should reflect that. Instead of going with your first and last email, consider opting for your company’s name.

For example, if your business is called Right Shift Solutions, your sender information should be Team Right Shift. Not only will this grab attention, it will also build trust with the recipient. 

4. Pre-Header

When it comes to email components, a pre-header is often ignored. But don’t make that mistake.

The pre-header in email is the text that shows up right after your subject line in an inbox, so it has the potential to convince the recipient to open the email. 

However, finding the sweet spot for your pre-header can be tricky. You need to strike the right balance - revealing just enough to stir curiosity without giving everything away so the recipient has a reason to open the email.

For example, imagine your subject line is: 

"Your Free Gift Awaits!" 

But if the pre-header reads: 

"Click to claim your exclusive gift today," 

you’ve already given away the surprise.

Instead, a better pre-header might be: 

"Something special is waiting for you..." 

This keeps the mystery alive and encourages the reader to open the email to find out what it is.

5. Email Body

If you've managed to hook the recipient this far, you're almost there. But don't lose momentum. 

This is where the email body can make or break your chances. It’s time to deliver what you promised in the subject line. 

If you don’t do that, the recipient may never open an email from you again, and all the efforts you put into coming up with your cold email strategy will go to waste.

The rule here is to be concise, stick to the point, and make it engaging. Also, stay true to your subject line.

If you promised them a discount code, make sure you give it to them. If you lured them in with a freebie, ensure it’s included in the email.

You can also include visual elements here, like images or videos, to make the email more appealing. However, don’t go over the top with visuals, as they might steal focus from the other parts of an email.

6. Closing Line

It’s essential to close as strongly as you started. Make sure the ending of your email leaves a lasting impression and doesn’t fall flat. 

The closing should also align with your salutation and match the overall tone of your brand.

If you're aiming for a more professional and formal image, your closing line should reflect that. Conversely, if you're positioning your business as warm and approachable, ensure your closing conveys that friendly tone.

7. Email Signature

Your email signature is an important part of your message. It helps build credibility and lets the recipient know who you are. 

A good signature usually includes your name, job title, company, and contact info, and some people add a logo for extra brand recognition.

Studies show that emails with a personalized signature are more likely to get a response. In fact, a few surveys say they’re 32% more likely to get a reply compared to emails without one.

So, make sure your emails always have a signature, even if they are part of a follow-up strategy for emailing after no response.

8. Call-To-Action

At the end of the day, if your email doesn't encourage the recipient to take action, it hasn't really done its job. 

One of the key parts of an email is the call-to-action (CTA). It is what motivates the recipient to take the next step.

Your CTA should be clear and stand out. Don’t let it get lost among the rest of the email. Using bold colors is a great way to make it pop. 

Keep it short and direct. A long CTA may lose the reader's interest. The goal is to keep it simple and easy to understand.

Second, use action-oriented words that are specific to your campaign. Words like “download,” “subscribe,” or “claim your offer” give the recipient a clear next step. 

Next, make the CTA feel personal and relatable. For example, “Start my free trial” directly speaks to the reader and makes it feel like a personal offer. Also, don’t forget to highlight what makes your brand unique. 

FAQs

What are the essential parts of an email?

Fundamentally, there are three essential email components: the header, the body, and the signature. Without these, any email would be considered incomplete. However, to make your email more comprehensive and effective, it’s best to include a killer subject line, salutation, sender information, and a call to action. 

What are the 7 parts of an email?

Here’s a quick rundown of the seven important parts of an email:

• The subject line
• The salutation
• Sender/from column
• The pre-header
• The email body
• Closing line
• Signature
• Call to Action (CTA)

What are the 5 C's of email?

The five key components of email that make it effective are complete, clear, correct, concise, and courteous. This means your email must include all the necessary and accurate information, be straightforward and easy to understand, and maintain a respectful tone throughout.

What are the parts of a formal email?

An email consists of five key elements: the sender, subject line, salutation, body, and CTA. These parts account for 99% of the emails and provide a perfect framework for engaging clients and boosting conversions.

Use Opps AI for Effective Email Outreach!

Managing email outreach can be overwhelming. With so many details to get right - coming up with the perfect subject line, personalizing each message, and ensuring all parts of an email - it’s easy to feel lost in the process. But what if there was an easier way?

That’s where Opps AI comes in. It helps you simplify the whole process.

You can count on it for everything from creating personalized emails to sending them at the right time, all with just a few clicks.

With Opps AI, you can make your email outreach more impactful without any added stress!