My top 10 subject lines from January
Plus plug-and-play templates for each
Every month, I analyze 100+ subject lines.
Then, I spend 2 hours sorting through all of them (so you don’t have to).
The result:
A list curating the 10 best subject lines I saw last month - broken down with the framework behind each one, plus a template you can steal.
Here’s January’s edition:
Subject Line #1
“How I got 32% of my life back in 5 minutes” — Nick Saraev
Why it works:
Creates curiosity by teasing an oddly specific measurable win (32%?! From what?!).
Grabs attention by promising massive results from minimal effort (5 minutes? That’s it?).
The template:
How I [specific, measurable outcome] in [short timeframe]
Example in another niche:
“How I increased my email open rates by 30% in 15 minutes”
Subject Line #2
“is Boston worth the hype?” — Coach Claire
Why it works:
Grabs attention by using a short, direct question that challenges a trend.
The template:
Is [specific person/place/event] worth the hype?
Example in another niche:
“Is Substack worth the hype?”
Subject Line #3
“I got rejected by a brand this week” — Justin Moore
Why it works:
Creates curiosity by teasing a real (and vulnerable) experience from someone operating at a high level.
The template:
I [vulnerable/negative niche outcome] [timeframe or context]
Example in another niche:
“I f*cked up my client’s email launch last week”
Subject Line #4
“There’s no such thing as ‘boring’ industry” — Lara Acosta
Why it works:
Creates curiosity by challenging a common belief or misconception in a niche/industry.
The template:
There’s no such thing as “[common limiting belief]
Example in another niche:
“There’s no such thing as ‘sending too many emails”
Subject Line #5
“This is how much money GA made from ChatGPT” — Andrew Warner
Why it works:
Grabs attention by teasing a specific number/result without revealing it.
Creates curiosity by attributing the result to a new tool/trend/technique.
The template:
This is how much money [person/org] made from [hot tactic/trend/tool]
Example in another niche:
“This is how much money we made from TikTok shops”
Subject Line #6
“I’m lazy… so I started another YouTube channel” — Olly Richards
Why it works:
Grabs attention by leading with a self-deprecating flaw (”I’m lazy”).
Creates curiosity by teasing a seemingly contradictory announcement.
The template:
I’m [undesirable trait or limitation]… so I [unexpectedly ambitious action]
Example in another niche:
“I’m terrible at writing… so I started a daily newsletter”
Subject Line #7
“Early readers are giving it ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐” — Tim Grahl
Why it works:
Creates curiosity by implying that a new thing is crushing (without revealing what it is).
Grabs attention by using a visual that stands out.
The template:
[Credible niche group] are giving it [visual ranking]
Example in another niche:
“Our first students said it was 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥”
Subject Line #8
“our weirdest launch ever (full breakdown)” — Daniel Bustamante
Why it works:
Grabs attention by teasing a unique tactic/strategy (”weirdest launch”).
Creates curiosity by promising a practical/in-depth breakdown.
The template:
My weirdest [niche event/tactic/strategy] ever ([practical teaser])
Example in another niche:
“My weirdest sales page ever (full breakdown)”
Subject Line #9
“ChatGPT now tracks your health — and Gmail’s AI infusion” — William Nutt
Why it works
Creates curiosity by teasing a new, unexpected capability from a popular tool (ChatGPT tracking your health?!).
Grabs attention by stacking two trend-driven insights.
The template:
[Hot tool] now does [unexpected thing] — and [2nd update/news]
Example in another niche:
“Notion now completes your to-do list — plus Zoom’s new AI assistant”
Subject Line #10
“Made $535,625 in 30 Days… Here’s How” — Darren Lee
Why it works:
Grabs attention and creates curiosity by dropping a massive, oddly specific result (while teasing how they pulled it off).
The template:
[Hit major milestone/result] in [timeframe]… here’s how
Example in another niche:
“Got 20k new followers in 24 hours… here’s how”
And that’s it!
Which one are you stealing first?
Hit reply and let me know.
Daniel
PS - Your email can be incredible.
But if your subject line sucks, no one’s opening it.
So I put together a free crash course with 6 rules for writing irresistible subject lines (after writing 1,000+ emails).