In partnership with
Why do people scroll past your posts before you even start your story?
If your content isn’t landing, there’s a good chance your idea isn’t the problem.
→ Your first sentence is.
Most intros on social media:
☒ Sound like a school essay.
☒ Take too long to get to the point.
You have to remember, people don’t hate you specifically.. They’re just speed-running the timeline like their life depends on it.
If your first 1-2 lines don’t make them pause…
↳ the rest of your post basically doesn’t exist.
Quick Detour for my sponsors today: Insight Software
Check out what they are offering for my readers:
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🚨 OKAY BACK TO TOPIC 🚨
Test Yourself (brutal, but useful)
Read your first line and ask:
→ Would I keep reading if this was written by a stranger?
Reverse engineer your hook from there.
What makes you read a post when it shows up on your timeline?
3 SCROLL-STOPPING INSTROs
Use these like Lego pieces. Mix and match them. Copy them. Whatever.
1) PUNCH EM
Say the thing. No warm-up. Hit em hard with a ‘punch’
→ If your post starts slow, it dies fast.
→ Your content isn’t boring. Your intro is.
→ If your post could be written by anyone, it will be read by no one.
2) REFLECT
Call out what they’re doing in their head. This is where you make it about them. And they go ‘ooo i’m being called out right now’. Peaks their interest
→ You’re overthinking your posts because you’re trying to sound impressive.
→ You have good ideas. You just keep burying them under “context.”
3) SPARK
A tiny story / moment that pulls them in. This is where they relate with the you and read the rest of the post. Something they can learn from.
→ I deleted a post today because the intro made me cringe. Here’s what I changed.
→ I rewrote one sentence and my replies doubled. It was annoying how easy it was.
→ I used to start posts like a teacher. That’s why nobody talked back.
USE THE “2-LINE GRIP”
Your intro has one job:
→ Earn the next line.
Here’s the structure:
Line 1 = tension (a truth, a callout, a bold claim)
Line 2 = direction (why they should care)
BTW…
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______
2nd sponsor of the day: Check out what Roku is offering for you guys:
How Jennifer Aniston’s LolaVie brand grew sales 40% with CTV ads
The DTC beauty category is crowded. To break through, Jennifer Aniston’s brand LolaVie, worked with Roku Ads Manager to easily set up, test, and optimize CTV ad creatives. The campaign helped drive a big lift in sales and customer growth, helping LolaVie break through in the crowded beauty category.
Your CHALLENGE [ should you choose to accept it ]
Take your next post (or an old post) and do this:
☑ Write 5 first lines.
Don’t edit. Just generate options.
☑ Pick the one that feels slightly “illegal” to say out loud.
Not mean… Just bold, triggering!
☑ Read it out loud.
If it sounds like a brochure, rewrite it like a text. Read this.
☑ Post it.
Then actually reply to people like a human.
You can also use this prompt with a blurb you wrote if you want:
You are my punchy editor. Turn my blurb into a short, skimmable X post that stops people from doomscrolling and read my post.
GOAL:
- Hook hard in the first 2 lines using the “2-Line Grip”
- Line 1 = tension (bold truth / callout / strong opinion)
- Line 2 = direction (what the post will help them do)
- Then deliver value fast with simple formatting.
INPUT BLURB:
[PASTE BLURB HERE]
RULES:
- Write in a direct, human, slightly edgy voice. No corporate tone.
- No “In today’s world,” “Here are X tips,” “Let’s dive in.”
- Short sentences. No fluff. No generic advice.
- Make it feel like I’m talking to one person, not a crowd.
OUTPUT:
1) Give me 10 hook options:
- 4 “Punch” hooks (sharp statement)
- 3 “Mirror” hooks (call out what they’re thinking/doing)
- 3 “Spark” hooks (tiny story/moment)
2) Pick the best hook and write the final post:
- Keep it 120–220 words max
- Use this structure:
Line 1: tension
Line 2: direction
Then:
→ 3–5 bullets of actionable steps (not vague)
↳ 1 quick example or rewrite (before/after)
➤ 1 question at the end that invites replies
3) Give me 3 alternate closing questions (to increase replies).
QUALITY CHECK:
- If any line sounds like a brochure or a “buzzword,” rewrite it like a text message.
- Replace vague words (better, improve, optimize, leverage) with specific actions (cut, swap, rewrite, reply, post, test).3rd sponsor of the day: Check out what Deel is offering for you guys:
Your first HR system, implemented right
Rolling out your first HR tool? Get a step-by-step guide to avoid common mistakes, drive adoption, and build a scalable HR foundation.
Don’t forget to reply and let me know what you thought of this newsletter.
See you on the next one
- AUNY 🧡
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