The 3-second rule that doubled my client's email open rates
Most emails die in the inbox. Not because the product is bad — because the subject line is lazy.
Here's what I've learned writing thousands of emails for brands:
Your subject line has 3 seconds. That's it. If it doesn't create a gap between what someone knows and what they want to know, it's dead.
Bad: "Our new product launch 🚀"
Better: "We almost didn't release this"
Best: "The mistake that made us $47k"
The pattern? Specificity + tension. Vague = ignored. Specific = opened.
Three more that work every time:
The "wait, what?" hook — Say something slightly unexpected. "Why I told a client to stop emailing their list"
The number drop — Concrete results feel real. "How 11 words added $12k to a launch"
The insider frame — Make them feel like they're getting access. "What your copywriter won't tell you"
This applies to ads, landing pages, DMs — anything where you need someone to stop scrolling.
I write copy that converts for businesses through CopyLab. If your words aren't working, they're costing you money.
