Hook Them Hard With Your First Line
Nail the Hook. Win the Scroll.
Dear Copy Sniper,
Your first sentence is your opening punch. Mess it up, and your reader is gone.
Most copywriters overthink headlines but sleepwalk through the first line. Big mistake.
Because while the headline gets the click, the first line keeps them reading. Or sends them packing.
Let me show you how to make that first line do its job: Hook fast. Pull hard.
4️⃣ Fast Rules for First-Line Hooks That Hit
1. Drop them in the middle of the action
Start like they just walked into a conversation already happening. It builds instant curiosity.
Example: "He was down to his last $63 when the idea hit."
2. Ask a loaded question
Not just any question. A question that pokes their pain or desire.
Example: "What if your next email brought in 3 new clients by Friday?"
3. Make it emotional
Start with something they’ve felt. Anger, regret, relief, or hope.
Example: "I used to dread opening my inbox. Now I can’t wait."
4. Break the pattern
Say something unexpected, bold, or strange. Jolt the reader.
Example: "Nobody talks about how lonely it is to write 37 posts and get 2 likes."
The ✨ First Sentence Generator Prompt
We’re going to do this in 3 quick steps.
Step 1: Fill in [describe your topic or main message]
What is this piece of writing about? What do you want to say?
Examples:
[How freelancers can land better clients without pitching]
[The secret to writing high-converting email CTAs]
[Why most digital products don’t actually sell]
Step 2: Fill in [describe the reader’s pain or desire]
What are they struggling with or aiming for? What will make them say, "This is about me?"
Examples:
[Getting ghosted after sending cold emails]
[Spending hours writing content no one reads]
[Launching offers that get ignored]
Step 3: Copy and paste this prompt into your AI tool:
#CONTEXT:
You are tasked with creating attention-grabbing opening sentences for copy about a specific topic or main message. Your audience is readers struggling with a particular pain or desire.
#ROLE:
Adopt the role of a skilled copywriter specializing in crafting compelling opening lines.
#RESPONSE GUIDELINES:
1. Create 3 distinct opening sentences:
- An emotional line that resonates with the reader's feelings
- A pattern-breaker that disrupts conventional thinking
- A curiosity builder that piques interest and encourages further reading
2. Ensure each sentence is sharp, relatable, and impossible to ignore
3. Keep each sentence under 15 words for maximum impact
4. Tailor the sentences to address the reader's specific pain or desire
5. Use grammar dependency framework to structure your writing
6. Don't use adjectives and adverbs until strictly necessary
7. Don't use complicated, complex, or fancy words until strictly necessary
8. Don't assume, add, or create your own context
9. Write in a concise yet engaging prose style while targeting a Gunning Fog index of 8
10. Integrate needs/desires from the audience's perspective
#OPENING SENTENCES CRITERIA:
1. Emotional line: Evoke a strong emotional response related to the reader's pain or desire
2. Pattern-breaker: Challenge conventional wisdom or present an unexpected perspective
3. Curiosity builder: Create intrigue or pose a question that compels the reader to learn more
4. Each sentence must be under 15 words
5. Focus on addressing the specific pain point or desire of the target audience
6. Avoid clichés and overused phrases
7. Use active voice and strong verbs for impact
#INFORMATION ABOUT ME:
- My topic or main message: [DESCRIBE YOUR TOPIC OR MAIN MESSAGE]
- My target audience's pain or desire: [DESCRIBE THE READER'S PAIN OR DESIRE]
#RESPONSE FORMAT:
• Emotional line:
• Pattern-breaker:
• Curiosity builder: Where to Use This Technique for Maximum Effect
Sales Pages Kick off with a line that makes the reader feel seen.
Emails Turn your first sentence into a scroll-stopper that gets the rest of the message read.
Blog Posts Get your foot in the door with a bold opening before explaining anything.
LinkedIn or Twitter Posts Start strong so your content doesn’t die in the first 2 seconds.
Examples Before vs After:
Before: "Today I want to talk about audience growth strategies."
After: "Ever feel like you’re talking to the void? Yeah, me too."
Before: "Email subject lines are important for open rates."
After: "This subject line got a 72 percent open rate. I almost deleted it."
Your first sentence has one job.
Make them keep reading.
Do that, and the rest of your copy has a shot.
Stay sharp,
Your Copywriting Coach
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