Hook, Line, and Sinker: Why Every Business Needs a Hook in Everything (Yes, Even Your Emails)

You ever been on a blind date where the conversation went something like this?

Date: “Hi, I’m Mike.”

You: “Hi, Mike.”

Mike: “I like lasagna.”

You: “...Cool.”

And now you’re staring at your phone, wondering how soon you can fake an emergency without looking like a total jerk. The problem? Mike didn’t have a hook. No intrigue, no punchline—just straight to lasagna. (We love lasagna, Mike, but that’s not how you win hearts!)

Now, think about how many of your business communications are just like Mike. No hook, no intrigue, no reason for someone to stay interested. You’re throwing “lasagna” at them and expecting a round of applause. Spoiler: It ain’t gonna happen.

Why Hooks Matter (And No, Not Just for Fishing)

Think of a hook as the opening line to that amazing rom-com you can’t stop quoting (admit it, we all have one). It’s the thing that makes your audience lean in, curious to hear what’s next. Whether you’re writing an email, crafting a blog, or even launching a new product—you need a hook. Without it, your audience is nodding off or, worse, swiping left on your brand.

Now, I know what you're thinking: "But I'm not writing a novel or a screenplay; I’m selling stuff!" Yeah, and that’s exactly why you need hooks everywhere. In your ads, your emails, your landing pages—heck, even your product descriptions. Hooks are the magic dust that keeps people paying attention, and paying attention is step one to paying you.

A Hook is Like... That Netflix Series You Couldn’t Stop Binge-Watching

Writing without a hook is like Netflix without a “Next Episode” button. Imagine if your favorite series just stopped after 30 minutes with no cliffhanger, no suspense—just a blank screen. Would you be back for the next episode? Probably not. The same thing happens with your marketing.

If your audience isn’t instantly captivated, they won’t stick around to find out what happens next.

They’ll just click that metaphorical “back” button and vanish like last year’s TikTok trend.

But with the right hook, you can keep them coming back for more—just like that series you promised yourself you’d only watch one episode of... and then suddenly it’s 3 AM.

Hooks In Real Life: My Monday Morning Coffee Fiasco

Let me paint you a relatable picture...

It’s Monday morning, and I’m groggily scrolling through my inbox, sipping my first coffee of the day, when I see two emails.

First one?

Subject line: “Q3 Revenue Report.” Delete. (Sorry, not sorry.)

Second one? “The Sneaky Trick We Used to 3X Our Client’s Revenue in 6 Weeks.”

Click. I’m in.

Why? Because that second email had a hook! It spoke to my curiosity and promised something juicy. I didn’t have to think about whether it was worth my time because it was obvious: this email was going to teach me something cool and, more importantly, relevant.

That’s the power of a good hook.

It cuts through the noise, grabs attention, and promises value. Without it, you’re just another unread subject line in a sea of “Revenue Reports” and “Meeting Reminders.” (And let’s be real, who opens those?)

The Hook Checklist for Your Business

Now, before you go off slapping hooks on everything like labels on Tupperware, let’s break it down. What makes a great hook?

1. Curiosity: Think “Wait, what happens next?!” Your audience should feel like they need to keep reading.
2. Surprise: Hit them with something unexpected. Throw in a twist or an out-of-the-box angle that makes people pause.
3. Emotion: Make them feel something—whether it’s excitement, intrigue, or even humor. (Bonus points if you can make them laugh.)
4. Benefit: What’s in it for them? A great hook doesn’t just tease; it delivers a clear benefit right from the start.

So, What Now?

Here’s the deal: If you want people to pay attention to your brand—whether it’s through social media, email, or on your website—you’ve got to hook them. Every. Single. Time.

A great hook is like the intro to your favorite song—it sets the tone, makes you perk up, and gets you ready for the good stuff that’s coming next.

And if you’re sitting there thinking, “This all sounds great, but I have no idea how to actually do this for my business,” hit me up!

I’m a Fractional CMO, and my marketing agency is all about crafting hooks that convert—whether it’s in emails, ads, or those all-important sales funnels. Let’s make sure your audience isn’t clicking away like my blind date with Mike. (Sorry again, Mike.)

Need a hook? Let’s hook ‘em together. ??