Subject-line changes
The subject line often changes more quickly than the message. It is the easiest place to add urgency without editing the body.
| Stage | Subject | Note |
|---|---|---|
| early | PLEASE READ | Plain request. |
| middle | FWD: PLEASE READ | Forwarding marker adds social proof. |
| later | FW: IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNING | Topic added. |
| later | RE: FW: READ THIS NOW | Reply marker remains even when no reply is quoted. |
| latest | FW: FW: URGENT - FORWARD TO FRIENDS!!! | Instruction moves into the subject line. |
In several families, the subject line tells you which copy is later before the body does.