Stop Using Lazy Subject Lines

Back when I worked in an accounting office…

I’d get these emails that always opened with “it’s that time of year again!”

And after getting a dozen of them…

I was really tired of seeing that line.

Another common office job cliche was… “thank you for all you do”

Noooooo 😩

Fast forward to just now…

And I’m in my swipe email folder…

Looking at competitor emails for my client…

I open an email about holiday gift guides.

I scroll below the hero image and what do I see…

“It’s that time of year again.”

😒

No, no it is not that time of year again…

It's NEVER that time of year for bad cliches and lazy copy…

…especially as the opening line of your emails.

Look, there’s no excuse for lazy subject lines or lead copy.

Especially when AI does a really good job of coming up with options for you.

Just ask it.

The subject line and opening line/hook determine if your reader will open your email and read past the first line.

As for my client’s competitor email that I was reading?

I read “it’s that time of year again” and immediately opened up my email software to tell you to avoid writing lazy copy.

So I have no idea what their holiday gift guides are about until I go read the rest of the email.

And my client’s emails are already crushing the crap out of whatever these other guys are sending.

Bottom line:

Put more thought and effort into your subject lines and hooks…

And keep in mind the elements that make for good, attention grabbing lines…

Curiosity, surprise, mystery, benefits, promises, outcomes, fears, nightmares, the unexpected, pain points and problems…

Inject any one of these… or more than one…

And you’ll automatically increase your chances that people will click and keep reading.

And seriously, if you’re completely at a loss or you just want more ideas…

Then ask ChatGPT.

Importantly, ask it why it chose those ideas so you get the principles and elements down.

But just remember…

I’m the copy police and I’m out here on patrol.

And I make sure my clients get damn good emails that make them damn good money…

Because I never skimp on those “little” details that matter so so much to your profits.

Hit reply and tell me what emails you’re working on…

And I will send you some angles, hooks and subject line ideas for free.

-RCD the “Detail Queen & Copy Police Chief”