Open rates start here
5 subject lines worth swiping
Hey,
You’re reading Hook to Cash — the weekly newsletter that breaks down how top content & info businesses grab attention and make money.
Each week, I dissect either a scroll-stopping piece of content (like an email, ad, or post) or a profitable business model—and why it works.
🧠 The Hook This Week
You don’t get a second chance at a first impression.
And in email marketing, that first impression is usually a subject line.
They’re your headline. Your one shot to get someone to care.
So when one actually makes me stop and click — I save it.
This week, I’m sharing 5 that did exactly that.
Some of them are weird. Sharp. A little risky. But they all nailed the job:
💌 Get the open.
But…
before we jump into subject lines…
Let me show you the best welcome email I’ve ever received.
Not because of clever copy or slick design — but because of this:
If I could, I’d greet every new subscriber this way.
By the way — if you haven’t subscribed to Hook to Cash yet, you can do it right here:
So consider yourself officially hugged — and welcomed into this week’s issue.
Now, let’s talk subject lines.
🔍 The Breakdown
⚡ Example #1: Pattern-interrupt with purpose
Context: This was a real subject line from copywriter Ben Settle, whose main target audience is marketers.
It’s bizarre. Slightly uncomfortable. And… weirdly effective.
It promises a story — and in a sea of inbox sameness, it stops the scroll.
✅ Why it works:
– Breaks taboos in a smart, non-creepy way. It’s bold, not gross.
– Hooks with curiosity and an implied story
– Surprises in a way that delivers value, not clickbait
📘 Example #2: Intrigue in one word
No emojis. No context. Just a four-digit number.
But it still made me click.
Why? Because it makes your brain itch.
What happened in 2004? Why is that the subject? You don’t know, and that’s the point.
✅ Why it works:
– Leans on curiosity with zero explanation
– Feels personal or nostalgic (you start wondering what your 2004 was like)
– It’s clean, bold, and stands out in a crowded inbox
🟢 Example #3: Classic offer, clean delivery
Context: This one’s from iHerb — and it’s as straightforward as they come.
No urgency gimmicks. No exclamation marks. Just a clean, confident offer.
And that’s exactly why it works. It doesn’t scream for your attention. It calmly earns it.
✅ Why it works:
– Clear value in under 6 words
– Uses “on us” to feel like a gift, not a pitch
– No fluff — just offer, then out
🔵 Example #4: Feels personal (even if it’s not)
It reads like something not meant for mass marketing — which is exactly what makes it feel intimate.
✅ Why it works:
– Feels like a personal message, not a promo
– Triggers curiosity (“what video?” “why is it private?”)
– Uses Alex name — and his name pulls attention like magnets
💻 Example #5: Tease the drop and the list
Context: This one’s from Ben’s Bites — a daily AI roundup. The subject line sounds like a tool drop (“viral browser agent”), but the real kicker? That preview line.
“Top 100 AI apps” taps into one of the most irresistible content formats: the list.
✅ Why it works:
– Combines curiosity (what’s a “viral browser agent”?) with clear value (100 AI apps? yes please)
– Lists = instant click fuel — people love to browse, compare, and bookmark
– The combo of specific + scannable feels like a double win: discovery and utility
🎯 The Takeaway:
Subject lines aren’t just a formality — they’re your first filter.
That tiny line of text decides whether the rest of your work even gets seen.
Most people decide whether to open based on a split-second glance. So your subject line has one job:
💥 Get the click.
And the best ones do it by using one of these levers:
Curiosity (What is this?)
Pattern-interrupt (Wait, did they really say that?)
Personalization (This feels like it’s for me)
Specificity (I know exactly what I’m getting)
Simplicity (Less clutter = more clarity)
Be clear, relevant, or unexpected.
So next time you're staring at a blinking cursor, try this:
→ Write the boring version first
→ Then ask: how can I add tension, trim fluff, or spark curiosity?
📬 Got a reel, ad, or email that hooked you?
Hit reply and send it my way—ad, tweet, email, landing page, reel, whatever stopped your scroll. I might break it down in a future issue.
Or forward this issue to a friend who’s building a content or info business:
Next week: Forget going viral. This newsletter grew slow, stayed weird — and built an empire anyway. You will get the full breakdown of their business model.
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