Subject Line Hacking for Beginners

Zack Greenfield • January 16, 2023

In this video I'm gonna talk to you about how to write a letter to Santa Claus that he actually is going to open. No, I'm just kidding. Well, sort of, we gotta come up with subject lines for our emails, right? So in this video I'm gonna talk to you about hacking subject lines. Cause a lot of people get stuck on those, myself included, but I've got some tricks I'm gonna share with you. 

So we'd love sending emails, right? Because that's the number one way to engage and talk to our customers and reselling, increase our total customer value, get deeper relationships. We want indoctrinate our leads. We got a million reasons to send emails, and every email has gotta have a darn subject lined. So we get stuck on those all the time. So here's a little hacking trick for you. The first thing you can do is go look in your own inbox. Literally go look at your own inbox and look at all the crap that's spamming you to death and look at the ones that stand out and re-edit those for your business. So if you're stuck, I mean, this seems like the simplest no-brainer in the world, but everybody overlooks this, myself included. I will sit there and stare at a subject line and an email body and be like, Ooh, what am I doing? 

What am I doing? What, what are we gonna say? How are we gonna get this thing opened? Da da da da. You know? And I'm like, the last three emails had a 31%. I don't wanna send a bomb. I wanna keep this, you know, this is like crazy game you're playing. So my point is that the resources that you need are actually typically right at your fingertips, in your own inbox, right in your own spam folder, in your own, you know, whatever folders you got in your inbox, where all your signups are. So look at your, your brands that you're buying from your best brands, you know, global brands, national brands, and see what they're doing with their subject lines. Uh, go ahead and, you know, bring in some emoticons, not like lines of them and being obnoxious, but one is always a little extra to stand out in the inbox feed for folks. 

Kind of makes it feel like it's a little bit more personalized and certainly jumps out. So take advantage of that opportunity. But go ahead and reha back into your inbox. And if you don't have stuff like that because you're some sort of optimal email citizen that doesn't, hasn't been attacked by every marketer, then set up a spammy account and go sign up for a bunch of stuff from great retailers that have great marketing that you want to emulate, right? In fact, go into your own industry and sign up for newsletters in your own industry. So if you're in restaurants, go sign up and be on the v i p list for like 20 different restaurants and see what they're sending out. Some of the stuff's probably not bad and you can just refashion it. Do a little twist and spin with those subject lines and reuse 'em. So don't get writer's block on stuff that's easy kill like this, cuz really in this type of thing, it's kind of recycle and reuse, recycle and reuse. And sometimes you can come up with a zinger on your own, but when you're stuck, this is a good hack for you. So go out there, keep crushing the emails, smash the like button on this video, and join me for the next one by becoming a subscriber.
GET HELP TODAY
By Zack Greenfield February 3, 2026
Is unlimited PTO really a perk or just clever HR spin? Discover what business owners need to know before jumping on the bandwagon.
By Zack Greenfield January 29, 2026
Break free from copycat marketing. Discover 2026's boldest strategies—plus proven lessons from Crocs, Applebee’s, and Super Bowl campaigns.
By Zack Greenfield January 27, 2026
Ditch the endless posts. Discover how retailers and brands are redefining storytelling in 2026—and where your customers are actually paying attention.
By Zack Greenfield January 22, 2026
America's entrepreneurship boom is set to break records in 2026. Here’s how business owners can capitalize on this unprecedented growth trend.
By Zack Greenfield January 21, 2026
Discover how X's $1M Articles Feature can transform your brand strategy. Unlock new revenue, content reach, and business growth opportunities in 2025.
By Zack Greenfield January 21, 2026
AI-powered ads are rewriting the marketing rulebook in 2025. Here’s what business owners must know to win without losing control (or money).
By Zack Greenfield September 16, 2025
What Every Growing Business Must Know About AI Powered Marketing
By Zack Greenfield August 26, 2025
Automate or Stagnate? The Future of Marketing Workflows
By Zack Greenfield August 19, 2025
Your CRM Is Dumb Without AI — Here's the Smarter Way
By Zack Greenfield July 27, 2025
Neuromarketing Secrets Influence Without Manipulation
Show More