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Hi 👋🏻
Today is an amazing day to share some amazing subject lines I came across.
It wouldn’t look good if I attached the screenshot of each subject line. So I am just sharing the subject line and from where I got it and why it worked. Ready?
Also, I’ve categorised them for your ease of understanding.
The curiosity hook
These subject lines create an information gap that pushes the reader to seek the missing answer.
‘Where did all the money go?’
Where I got it: Sent by writer and investor Sahil Bloom in his newsletter.
Why it worked: It hits self-interest and financial concern right away. Readers want to know if the message applies to them.
Template for you: Where did all the [valuable thing] go?
‘I’m deleting this soon’
Where I got it: Sent by Sam Parr, co-founder of The Hustle.
Why it worked: It combines urgency with mystery. The fear of missing out pushes immediate action.
Template for you: I’m deleting this [time reference]
‘Do not open this email’
Where I got it: A classic reverse-psychology subject line often linked with marketers like Neil Patel.
Why it worked: Telling people not to do something often makes them want to do exactly that.
Template for you: Do not [expected action]
The minimalist & lowercase
These subject lines feel personal, understated, and more like a message from a person than a campaign.
‘copywriting thoughts.’
Where I got it: Sent by copywriting educator Neville Medhora.
Why it worked: The lowercase style feels informal and human, which helps it stand out from polished promotions.
Template for you: [topic] thoughts.
The aggressive pattern interrupt
These subject lines break expected inbox patterns and force attention through friction.
‘Stop working so hard.’
Where I got it: Sent by author and podcaster Tim Ferriss in his 5-Bullet Friday newsletter.
Why it worked: It challenges a common belief and creates tension immediately.
Template for you: Stop [common behaviour].
‘Your business is boring’
Where I got it: Sent by investor Codie Sanchez for Contrarian Thinking.
Why it worked: It triggers ego and curiosity at the same time. Readers want to check whether the claim is true.
Template for you: Your [thing] is [blunt adjective]
‘Don’t read this copy.’
Where I got it: Sent by copywriting educator Neville Medhora.
Why it worked: Reverse psychology creates resistance, and resistance often sparks curiosity.
Template for you: Don’t [expected action]
The direct framing & broadcaster format
These subject lines lead with a clear promise. The reader knows exactly what’s inside.
‘How to scale a service business to $10M’
Where I got it: Sent by entrepreneur Alex Hormozi.
Why it worked: Specificity makes the outcome feel credible and attracts readers who want that exact result.
Template for you: How to [specific result]
‘3 frameworks for better decision-making’
Where I got it: Sent by writer and investor Sahil Bloom for The Curiosity Chronicle.
Why it worked: Numbers make information feel structured and easy to consume.
Template for you: [number] frameworks for [desired outcome]
‘The 1-3-5 productivity rule’
Where I got it: Sent by productivity educator Ali Abdaal.
Why it worked: A named formula feels proprietary and sparks interest.
Template for you: The [number-number-number] [topic] rule
The intimate peer-to-peer check-in
These subject lines feel like direct messages from a colleague or friend.
‘quick question for you’
Where I got it: Sent by author James Clear in his 3-2-1 Thursday newsletter.
Why it worked: It feels personal and lowers resistance because it doesn’t look like marketing.
Template for you: quick question for you
‘I messed up.’
Where I got it: Sent by Sam Parr, founder of The Hustle.
Why it worked: Vulnerability creates emotional pull. Readers want the story behind the confession.
Template for you: I [made a mistake / learnt a hard lesson]
‘Can I ask a small favor?’
Where I got it: Sent by personal finance author Ramit Sethi.
Why it worked: It feels human and activates reciprocity.
Template for you: Can I ask a small [request]?
Did you like it?
Try the subject line, don’t copy them, but use the templates and enjoy more opens.
Hope it was helpful! Thanks for reading! See you soon!
Anirban ‘Helping you with another monetisation hack’ Das
