Subject Lines for a Reconnecting Email: 70+ Examples to Boost Your Open Rates
If you’re like many business owners, you know how crucial personal connections are to success. You’ve probably spent countless hours getting to know your customers, understanding their needs, and building relationships that go beyond mere transactions.
But between keeping up with daily operations and tackling unforeseen challenges, it’s all too easy for those once vibrant relationships to slip through the cracks.
Now, faced with the desire to reconnect, you’re struggling to come up with a fitting subject line for a reconnecting email. You want to bridge the gap without coming off as insincere or opportunistic.
So, how can you convey your intention to reconnect is genuine and not just a business tactic?
There’s a way to maneuver this delicate situation with grace and authenticity. Let’s explore how you can craft the perfect subject lines for different kinds of reconnecting — and connecting — emails.
What Is a Reconnecting Email?
A reconnecting email is a friendly message you send to someone you haven’t talked to in a while. The goal is to catch up, share updates, and bring back the warmth and rapport you once shared.
You should remind them of who you are and express your interest in what they’ve been up to since you last communicated.
The Power of Reconnecting Emails
When you successfully reconnect with someone through an email, it can lead to great benefits.
You can expect:
- More customer loyalty. People will see you value them beyond just a transaction, which can turn occasional buyers into long-term supporters with higher brand awareness.
- New networking opportunities. The person you reach out to might introduce you to new contacts, share your business with friends, or offer new collaboration chances.
- Positive word-of-mouth. Happy customers are more likely to talk about your business, which will boost your reputation and lead to more referrals.
106 Reconnecting Email Subject Line Examples to Try
If you’re looking to grab the attention of old customers and initiate meaningful conversations, you need to consider the context of your relationship and the nature of your update. Let’s cover nine different types of emails and give you some ideas to guide your creative process:
1. Subject Line for Catching Up Email
When reconnecting with a customer who hasn’t engaged with your business in months or years, your email subject line should resonate with a tone of professional warmth.
A good catch up email subject line should reference a positive past interaction or their previous interest in your services. It should also express a sincere interest in their current needs or preferences.
A touch of email personalization can go a long way in making your email stand out in their inbox.
Try one of these as a subject line for catch up email:
- 👋 Revisiting your last visit to [Company Name].
- Celebrating our past collaboration.
- Time flies! Update from [Company Name].
- Reconnecting with valued customers at [Company Name].
- Reflecting on our last meeting — we have news.
- We miss your insights. Let’s reconnect.
- Checking in from [Company Name].
- From [Company Name] to you: What’s new since we last spoke?
- What have you been up to?
- A familiar hello from [Company Name]. Let’s catch up.
- Remember [Specific Product/Service]? What’s your take now?
- It’s [Your Name] from [Company Name]. Let’s catch up on your needs.
- 🙋♀️ [Company Name] waving in – Any updates on your side?
2. Updated List of Catching Up Email Subject Lines for 2025
If you’re tired of your catching up emails getting lost in the inbox abyss, this list is for you. These fresh and engaging subject lines for 2025 will ensure your messages achieve results.
General Catch-Up:
- Time to Reconnect
- Checking In
- Quick Catch-Up Call?
- Touching Base
Personalized:
- Catching Up on [Project]
- Following Up on Our Last Talk
- Pinging You After [Event]
- Catching Up on Your Recent News About [Incident]
Formal Catching Up Subject Lines:
- Following Up on Our Previous Correspondence
- Requesting a Brief Meeting
- Checking In on Your Availability
- Seeking an Update
Casual or Friendly:
- It’s Been Too Long!
- Let’s Reconnect Later This Week
- Back in Touch
- Ready to Catch Up?
Suggesting Action or Next Steps:
- Let’s Grab Coffee/Lunch/Call
- Interested in a Quick Chat?
- Free to Connect Next Week?
- Would Love to Hear Your Updates
Referencing a Shared Connection/Context:
- [Mutual Connection] Suggested I Reach Out
- Thinking of You After [Shared Experience]
- Following Up on Our Conversation at [Event]
3. Email Subject Line for Reaching Out to Old Boss
Reconnecting with a former boss can be a valuable career move, whether for networking, seeking advice, or exploring new opportunities. A reconnecting with old boss email sample typically includes a brief reminder of your past role, a mention of what you’re currently doing, and a clear reason for reaching out.
The subject line plays a critical role, too. It can make all the difference in getting your email opened and read.
Here are 5 good subject lines for reaching out to an old boss:
- Checking In – From Your Former [your old role] at [company bame]
- Catching Up and Sharing Some Updates Since [year or project]
- Seeking Your Insight on [industry trend or specific topic]
- A Quick Hello from [your name] – Remembering [positive shared memory or project]
- Following Up on [previous conversation or topic]
You can even use some of these for reconnecting with old colleagues,
4. Following Up on a Past Conversation
Your subject line should reference the previous conversation with your client, reigniting their interest in a professional yet engaging manner. Resume the dialogue by acknowledging time has passed and invite them to pick up the business discussion where it was left.
Your aim with this type of follow up email subject line for reconnecting emails is to spark their memory and curiosity. Highlight a specific topic or idea from your last conversation to make your email feel relevant and immediate. Then expand on the idea in your email copywriting.
Consider these examples:
- Update on our brilliant idea about [topic] 💡
- Picking up our chat on [topic] – are you still interested?
- Revisiting our last conversation about [idea].
- Still thinking about [the idea we discussed]?
- Following up on our Mon, 19 May 2025 16:33:41 -0700 discussion – ready for the next steps?
- Is [topic] still on your radar?
- Taking our last conversation forward.
- Remember our Mon, 19 May 2025 16:33:41 -0700 brainstorm on [topic]? 🤔
- Remember our talk about [topic]? Here’s what’s new.
- Eager to continue our discussion on [idea].
- Bringing [topic] back to the table – interested?
- Moving ahead with [idea] – can we chat?
- Time flies! Revisiting our idea on [topic].
- Haven’t forgotten about [topic] – shall we chat?
- 📆 From our last meeting to now – [topic] updates.
5. Sharing Updates or News
To broadcast new products, services, or significant updates about your business, your subject line should spark curiosity and excitement. The subject line needs to make your old contacts feel like they’re in the loop and stand to benefit from this information.
Think about what aspect of your news will be most interesting or relevant to your audience and lead with it. Use marketing power words to convey a sense of exclusivity or insider knowledge to make your old contacts feel special for being among the first to know.
Check out these ideas:
- Exciting news – you’re the first to know
- Introducing our latest [product/service] – thought you’d like a look!
- Big changes at [Your Company] – here’s what’s new!
- We’re evolving – and wanted you to be the first to hear about it!
- 🌟 New in [Year]: Exclusive sneak peek for you!
- You deserve to know what’s next.
- Bringing you the latest – [Company]’s [Year] updates!
- Guess what’s back? [Product/Service] – and better than ever!
- A little bird told me you’d like our latest news!
- Behind the scenes at [Your Company] – What’s new with us
- 🚀 Taking [Your Company] to new heights – Be part of our journey!
- [Product/Service] 2.0: Bigger. Better. Just for you.
- We’ve been busy – Check out what’s new!
- Exclusive for you: A first look at our [new product/service]
- You haven’t heard this yet – [Company]’s latest developments
- What’s been happening at [Your Company]? Here’s the scoop!
- From our lab to your inbox – the latest innovation at [Company]
- News Alert: Major updates from [Your Company]!
- 🎉 Celebrating our newest [product/service] – You’re invited to explore!
6. A Real-Life Example From Google
When Google wanted to introduce updates to their AI, Bard, they sent out an email to the previous subscribers. The message covered Bard’s newest features and gave tips on how to use it best.
But the most interesting part was the beginning part:
7. Celebrating a Milestone or Achievement
Sharing news about your business success with old contacts can re-establish their interest in your brand. Your subject line should highlight the achievement in a way that gives the recipient pride. Make them feel they’ve been a part of your success.
Let’s take a look at these examples:
- We did it! Celebrating [Milestone] thanks to you.
- 🎉 [Milestone] achieved – You’re part of this success.
- Together, we’ve reached a new high – [Milestone] celebration.
- Big news: We just hit [Milestone].
- Thanks to you, we’ve made it to [Milestone].
- 🌟Celebrating [Milestone] – Couldn’t have done it without you.
- Join us in celebrating [Milestone] – A moment of pride for us all.
- Reflecting on our [Milestone] – A special thanks to you.
- 🏆 [Milestone] celebration – Together, we’ve achieved greatness.
- Marking a momentous [Milestone] at [Company].
- You’ve been with us – Now, celebrating [Milestone].
8. Offering Help or Support
Reaching out to offer support to past customers shows ] you care about more than just sales. You’re there to assist them when they need it, and your subject line should clearly convey it.
- Need a hand? Special assistance for our cherished customers
- 🤝 Extending our support to you – Let’s tackle this together.
- Because you matter: Special offers to support your journey
- Let us make things easier for you.
- We’re here for you – Discover our special support options.
- 🌟 Brightening your day with a special support offer
- Facing challenges? Let’s find solutions together.
- Your success is our goal – Exclusive support offer.
9. Introducing a New Product or Venture
When launching a new project, reaching out to old contacts can build momentum and garner support. Your subject line should spark intrigue and invite recipients to be part of something fresh.
Whether it’s through early access, exclusive insights, or a special invitation, the goal is to make your old contacts feel like insiders and valued parts of your new journey.
The examples below will help you get started:
- We’re launching something new – Be the first to know.
- 🚀 Introducing our latest venture – Early access for you.
- A sneak peek just for you.
- Exclusive invitation: Join us in launching our newest venture.
- We’re embarking on a new journey – And we want you with us.
- Your exclusive look at our groundbreaking new venture.
- 🌟 Premiere invite: Witness our new project unfold.
- You’re on the list: Early access to our exciting new venture.
A Real-Life Example From Athletic Brewing
Athletic Brewing makes non-alcoholic beers and sparkling water. To announce its Sweet & Sour pack, the company sent out an email focused on the idea of spring and the new season.
Besides the email content referencing spring, the design used sharp green and orange colors to evoke a sense of freshness. What’s clever about the email is it reinforces the company’s environmentally-conscious branding.
Need help coming up with a subject line for connecting with someone from your past? The next section has you covered.
Related Reading List
While on the topic of email subject lines, here are additional guides from our blog to help you become a more potent email sender:
- What is the Best Way to Personalize a Subject?
- Best Thanksgiving Email Subject Lines
- Valentine’s Day Email Subject Lines
- Abandoned Cart Email Subject Lines
- Saint Patrick’s Day Email Subject Lines
- Funny Email Subject Lines
- Last Chance Email Subject Lines
- Halloween Email Subject Lines
- Black Friday Email Subject Lines
Reconnecting With Old Friends Message Examples
We all have an old buddy we haven’t spoken to in a while. If you need help with more than just subject lines to reach out, this section offers solutions.
Check out these 4 hypothetical examples of reaching out to a friend named Mike:
- “Hey Mike, it feels like ages! I was just thinking about the time we watched Rammstein live at Wacken Open Air and it made me want to reach out. How have you been?”
- “Mike, I know it’s been a while, but I saw a news clip about an escaped circus monkey and it immediately made me think of you. I’d love to catch up properly sometime.”
- “Hi Mike, I was just looking through some old photos and came across one of us from our trip to Medellin. It brought back so many great memories! I’d love to hear what you’ve been up to since then.”
- “Hey Mike, I know we’ve lost touch a bit over the years, but I was wondering if you’d be interested in reconnecting. I’ve been thinking about our times in high school and would love to hear what you’ve been doing.”
Need inspiration for an email subject line after meeting someone? The next section shares subject lines to help you continue the conversation.
Follow Up Email Subject Lines
Staying top of mind is crucial in business and networking, and a timely follow-up can make all the difference. These effective email subject lines for follow up will help your message cut through the noise and get noticed.
Note: Every follow up subject line below is hypothetical with made-up names and situations.
The 5 examples below will demonstrate how to title a follow up email:
- Following Up on Our Conversation About Partnering
- Checking In After Our Meeting on 23rd January 2025
- Quick Follow-Up Regarding the Halloween Email Marketing Project
- Just Reaching Out – Mike Smith
- Following Up as Promised – [Add a brief context]
Email Subject Line for Checking in
Sometimes, the simplest gestures are the most effective. A well-placed checking in email can go a long way in nurturing relationships. The right subject line will convey your message is sincere and doesn’t feel like an intrusion.
These openers for checking-in emails feel impactful:
- Checking In – How Are Things?
- Catching Up – [Add your name here]
- Touching Base After CES 2025
- Quick Hello from [Add your name] – Sharing a Small Update
Email Subject Line for Unavailability Examples
Don’t leave people wondering where you are or when you’ll be back. These effective email subject lines for unavailability will help you communicate your status clearly and avoid any confusion.
5 examples of email subject lines for unavailability using hypothetical names:
- Out of Office – Mike Smith – 12th -18th June 2025.
- Away from My Desk – Limited Email Access – 12th -18th June 2025.
- On Leave – Returning 18th June 2025.
- Auto-Reply Set: I’m Currently Unavailable.
- Briefly Unavailable – Checking Emails Periodically.
Up next, we look at how to craft a good email subject when reaching out to someone.
Email Subject Line for Reaching Out Examples
Reaching out requires adapting your approach to different contexts, and this includes a good reaching out email subject line.
The professional email subject line for reaching out examples below cover various outreach scenarios, from networking to following up. Note that these examples are entirely made up, using hypothetical names and situations.
1. For Networking/Informational Interviews
Subject: Connecting – Mike Smith – Email Lead Generation
Why it works: This subject line for connection is clear, concise, and immediately tells the recipient who you are and what you’re interested in. It’s professional and avoids being overly demanding.
2. Following Up After a Meeting/Event
Subject: Following Up – Mike Smith – Great to Meet You at Mobile World Congress
Why it works: This email subject line for follow up reminds the recipient of the context of your interaction. Adding “Great to Meet You” adds a positive touch. This is a popular format for email subject for reaching out.
3. Reaching Out to a Potential Mentor/Advisor
Subject: Seeking Advice on Marketing Automation – Mike Smith
Why it works: This is a good email subject to connect with someone, as it directly states your purpose. It shows you’ve thought about what you want to discuss. It’s respectful of their time and expertise.
4. Cold Emailing for a Job/Opportunity
Subject: Mike Smith – Email Marketer – Interested in Working at Google
Why it works: It briefly highlights your key qualifications and connects them to the recipient’s field. Email subject lines for reaching out to recruiters should always mention the title being applied for.
5. Following Up on a Referral
Subject: Referral from Jordan Belfort – Connecting Regarding Penny Stocks
Why it works: It leverages the power of the referral, instantly establishing credibility and increasing the likelihood of the email being opened.
6. Reaching Out with a Specific Question/Request
Subject: Quick Question Regarding Your Investments – Donnie Azoff here
Why it works: This line clearly states the purpose of the email and suggests a brief interaction. It’s good for quick inquiries or requests for information.
We Miss You Email Subject Lines for Email Marketing
Reconnecting with inactive customers or subscribers is crucial for any business, and a well-crafted “we miss you” email can be surprisingly effective.
The key is to strike the right balance between genuine warmth and a subtle reminder of what they’re missing. An eye-catching subject line is the first step in winning them back.
Here are 6 examples of we miss you email subject lines:
- We’ve Missed You! Come See What’s New
- It’s Been a While… We’d Love to See You Back
- We Miss You, Mike! Here’s a Little Something for You.
- Long Time No See! We Have Some Exciting Updates
- Just Checking In – Hope You’re Doing Well!
- Welcome Back! We’ve Got Something Special Waiting for You
Announcement Email Subject Lines
Announcement emails are meant to inform and excite, but they can’t do their job if no one opens the email. The right subject line is the secret sauce, ensuring your message calls out to its intended audience.
Draw inspiration from the 4 examples below:
- Apple Announces the New iPhone 17
- Exciting News! Spotify Launches AI-Personalized Playlists
- Big News from Google: Revolutionizing Search with Gemini-Powered Updates
- Introducing Tesla’s Newest Electric Truck: The Cybertruck 2
What Is a Good Email Subject Line for Reconnecting?
The subject line is what gets recipients to open an email. About 35 percent of people decide to open an email just by looking at its subject line. On the flip side, about 70 percent might mark an email as spam just because of the subject line.
The most effective strategy for increasing open rates is to use personalized subject lines.
According to Experian, personalizing your email subject lines can lead to a 26% higher chance of your email being opened. Plus, personalized emails can improve click-through rates by 14% and conversions by 10%.
Even a simple reference to a shared memory can significantly increase the chances of your email being opened. Think about what personal touches you can add to show the recipient this message is truly meant for them.
4 Extra Tips to Amp Up Your Subject Lines
Besides personalization, to increase your open rates, your subject line for a reconnecting email should:
- Invoke curiosity: Capture interest without revealing too much. Phrases like “You won’t believe our latest update!” or “Guess who’s making a comeback?” are good choices.
- Offer value: Right from the start, let your recipient know there’s something in it for them, such as advice, offers, or updates.
- Timeliness counts: Consider how you can tie your message to current events, seasons, or holidays.
- Keep it short and sweet: With many emails being read on mobile devices, shorter subject lines tend to perform better. There’s no definitive number for the best subject line length. One study found 4-15 characters optimal, while another reported 61-70 characters. However, a limit of 50 characters is a good rule of thumb to ensure your entire subject line is visible on most screens.
Reconnecting Emails vs. Re-engagement Campaigns
Reconnecting emails are messages you send to someone you haven’t contacted for a while. The aim is to pick up where you left off, whether it’s with a former customer, a colleague, or even a friend.
Re-engagement email campaigns refer to when you reach out to a group of subscribers who haven’t interacted with you for some time. The goal here is to remind them about your brand and what you offer.
Both types of emails aim to re-establish a connection. Reconnecting emails are usually personal and target specific people, whereas re-engagement campaigns target broader audience segments. What’s more, re-engagement campaigns are an effective part of your email segmentation strategy. Segmenting email marketing subscribers into active and inactive categories helps with email list hygiene.
The table below summarizes the key differences:
| Feature | Reconnecting Emails | Re-engagement Campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Re-establish personal connections with individuals. | Awaken interest in a broader audience. |
| Content strategy | Highly personalized, referencing past interactions. | More general, aiming to appeal to wide segments. |
| Ideal usage | For high-value contacts who’ve become inactive. | For larger segments of inactive subscribers. |
| Success metrics | Open rates, direct responses, re-engagement in dialogue. | Open rates, click-through rates, overall reactivation. |
| Personalization level | Often includes the recipient’s name and specific references. | Slightly less; uses broad messages to resonate with general experiences. |
| Frequency | Sent on a case-by-case basis to rekindle specific relationships. | Part of a scheduled campaign targeting all inactive users. |
Re-engagement Email Examples
To better illustrate the purpose of a re-engagement email, let’s consider three examples from different companies. We’ve also put together a compilation of the best re-engagement email subject lines at the end of the section.
Example 1 — Mode Chocolate
This re-engagement email from Mode Chocolate uses a clever, playful approach to capture the recipient’s attention.
It’s designed to look like a personal message. The subject line “Your cursor brushed against me (online)” is an excellent play on words, which suggests the recipient has interacted with the brand before but hasn’t become a customer. The message uses principles of email marketing psychology to keep the recipient engaged.
The email closes with a light-hearted promise: there are no hard feelings if the recipient isn’t interested. This easygoing email sign-off, paired with a clear email CTA, provides a low-pressure invitation to test the product.
Example 2 — Busuu
Busuu is a language learning platform with 14 different languages. The re-engagement email starts with a friendly greeting and congratulates the user.
This is smart because it acknowledges the user’s commitment to their language learning goals — even though they may have not been actively learning.
The email drip campaign uses dynamic email content to create a fully personalized experience and follows the proper email format. So, each user receives this email exactly three months after joining the platform. Plus, it remembers the language the user picked to learn and brings it up in the email.
Example 3 — Graza
This campaign reaches out to customers who’ve had a taste of Graza’s olive oil but haven’t come back for more. The direct email marketing message grabs attention and gets the reader thinking about the product’s taste.
The real strength of this email lies in its straightforwardness. It sticks to the point — encouraging the customer to buy again. The design is tidy and puts the olive oil front and center, which helps with email branding. The clear question, inviting image, and simple Buy Again button prompt the reader to make another purchase.
Best Re Engagement Email Subject Lines
Re-engaging inactive subscribers requires a delicate touch. You want to pique their interest without being pushy or sounding desperate. A creative and compelling subject line can be a dealbreaker for re-engagement emails.
Let these 8 examples inspire you:
- Remember Us? We’ve Got Some Good News (and a Surprise!)
- It’s Been Too Long! Here’s What You’ve Missed
- Still There? We’ve Got Something You Might Like
- We Thought You’d Like to Know… (New Stuff Inside)
- Your Exclusive Invitation to Reconnect (and a Little Treat)
- Don’t Be a Stranger! We’ve Got Updates Just for You
- Is This Goodbye? We Hope Not! (Here’s Why)
- Did We Do Something Wrong? Let Us Make It Up to You
We Miss You Email Subject Lines for Email Marketing
Reconnecting with inactive customers or subscribers is crucial for any business, and a well-crafted “we miss you” email can be surprisingly effective.
The key is to strike the right balance between genuine warmth and a subtle reminder of what they’re missing. A compelling subject line is the first step in winning them back.
Here are 6 examples of “we miss you” email subject lines:
- We’ve Missed You! Come See What’s New
- It’s Been a While… We’d Love to See You Back
- We Miss You, Mike! Here’s a Little Something for You.
- Long Time No See! We Have Some Exciting Updates
- Just Checking In – Hope You’re Doing Well!
- Welcome Back! We’ve Got Something Special Waiting for You
Reconnect and Re-engage with Confidence Using Campaign Refinery
Reaching out to reconnect with old customers can breathe new life into your relationships, open doors to renewed collaborations, and remind them of the unique value you offer.
That’s where Campaign Refinery comes into the picture. We make every email impactful. Our focus is on making sure your reconnecting emails reach the inbox AND resonate with your audience.
With Campaign Refinery, you get:
- High deliverability: Our platform ensures your emails land in the primary inbox, not lost in spam folders or promotions tabs.
- Advanced automation: Set up sophisticated campaigns easily with our rule automation builder and templates, designed to fit any reconnection scenario.
- Template library: Access a variety of campaign templates to make re-engagement feel personal and genuine.
Rekindling relationships with your customers doesn’t have to be complicated. Let Campaign Refinery help you send emails that matter and make every reconnection count.
Apply to join today and reignite your lost connections!
FAQ
What To Put In Subject Line When Reaching Out?
Be clear and concise, providing context if possible and stating your purpose briefly. Avoid vague or spammy language.
What Does Re: Mean In Emails?
Re in email means “regarding” or “in reply to,” indicating the email is part of an existing conversation thread. It’s automatically added by email clients when you reply.
What Are The Key Pillars Of Writing Powerful 4th Of July Email Subject Lines?
Use patriotic themes — for example, “Independence Day” or “red, white, and blue” — to convey celebration. Additionally, highlight offers if applicable and create urgency where you can.
What’s A Good Reconnect Email Template To Follow?
Start with a warm opening, briefly remind them of your connection, state your current status and reason for reaching out, and end with a clear call to action. Keep it concise and personalized.
