1. Start With a Bold, Unexpected Statement

One of the fastest ways to stop someone in their tracks? Say something they don’t expect — something a little punchy, a little polarizing, or just plain weird.

Here’s why it works: When a reader sees something that contradicts what they believe… or disrupts what they’re used to seeing… it creates a gap in their brain. A gap they need to close. That’s curiosity at work.

This technique hits right at the core of how to grab attention.

Example:

• “The best way to grow your business? Stop selling.”

• “You’ve been lied to about metabolism your entire life.”

• “Dead people can still get credit cards. Here’s what that means for you.”

Those kinds of lines demand answers. They open loops in your reader’s brain. And now, they’re not just casually reading… they’re actively hunting for the explanation. That’s the type of reader engagement you want.

Gary Bencivenga was a master at this. He often led with surprising claims that challenged conventional thinking — and then backed them up with rock-solid proof. That combo of surprise + clarity is a deadly formula for grabbing attention.

Want to write a killer copywriting headline or lead-in? Look for something that breaks a belief… exposes a lie… or flips a common assumption on its head. Then hit it hard right out of the gate.

Oh — and this isn’t just for dramatic VSLs or big sales letters. You can use this in any niche. Health, SaaS, beauty, finance, coaching… whatever you’re writing for, there’s always an angle that’ll punch your reader right between the eyes (in a good way).

Use this opener when you need to shake them awake.

And don’t be afraid to go bold.


2. Ask a Provocative Question

Sometimes the best way to grab attention... is to ask for it.

But not just any question — a strategic one. One that taps into something your reader secretly wants, fears, wonders, or struggles with. A question that makes them pause and think, “Wait… that’s me.”

That moment of reflection? That’s reader engagement kicking in.

Let’s be real — most people love thinking about themselves. So when you ask a question that targets a problem they have (or a result they want), it draws them in without feeling pushy. It feels personal.

Some quick examples:

• “What if your next headline could double your conversions overnight?”

• “Are you making this common mistake that kills sales?”

• “Do your emails go unopened… no matter how great your offer is?”

See how those work?

They aren’t just curiosity-driven. They’re focused on the reader’s world. They hint at a solution… or a warning… or a payoff.

This trick is straight out of Victor Schwab’s playbook. In How to Write a Good Advertisement, he broke down the power of using direct questions to stir emotions and lead readers into the body copy. A good question forces the reader to participate. Mentally, they’re now in the story.

You can even stack this with headline formulas:

• “Are You [X] Without Even Knowing It?”

• “What’s the Real Reason You’re Not [Desirable Outcome]?”

• “How Much [Result] Are You Losing Because of This?”

Remember, the best copywriting hooks aren’t about sounding smart — they’re about connecting. And asking the right question at the start is one of the simplest ways to do it.

Add this one to your toolbox and use it when you want to open with empathy, curiosity, and a sense of urgency… all in one.


3. Paint a Vivid, Relatable Scene

Want to pull someone deep into your copy instantly? Start by putting them inside a moment.

Story is one of the oldest attention-grabbing tools on the planet — and for good reason. The human brain is wired to respond to narrative. But here’s the thing… you don’t need to write an epic novel to make it work.

You just need to drop the reader into a specific, emotionally-charged scene. Make it short. Make it vivid. And make it feel like their life.

That’s how you grab attention fast — by showing them something they recognize or feel connected to.

Let’s say you’re writing for a productivity tool:

“It’s 10:42 AM. You’ve had three coffees, 17 tabs open, and your to-do list still looks like a CVS receipt.”

Boom — that’s a whole world in one sentence. Your reader’s nodding along because they’ve been there. Now they’re invested.

Or for a skincare brand:

“You wake up, look in the mirror, and see it — another breakout. Great. Right before the big meeting.”

Relatable. Personal. And loaded with tension.

This works especially well when writing copywriting headline examples or long-form leads. Even one or two sentences of scene-setting can trigger reader engagement better than any fancy pitch.

John Caples used this technique all the time. Think of his famous line: “They Laughed When I Sat Down at the Piano…” — instantly paints a scenario. You’re not reading about something, you’re watching it unfold.

So next time you sit down to write an opening, try this:

• Zoom in on a tiny, familiar moment your reader experiences

• Use sensory detail (what they see, feel, think)

• Keep it tight — just a few lines to start the motion

This strategy is especially useful if you struggle with how to write a headline or lead-in that doesn’t sound generic. Because once you put the reader in the scene, they’ll naturally want to see how it ends.


4. Share a Shocking or Little-Known Fact

Want a quick way to hijack someone’s brain?

Hit them with a fact that makes them say, “Wait, what?”

When you lead with an unusual stat or a surprising piece of info, you create an open loop — and open loops demand closure. The brain needs to resolve unanswered questions. That’s why this technique is so effective at driving reader engagement right from the start.

Here’s the catch though: the fact you use has to be relevant and emotionally loaded.

Let’s say you’re writing for a financial newsletter:

“78% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck… even ones making six figures.”

Instant tension. Instant curiosity. You’re not just informing — you’re setting the stage for the story to come.

Or maybe it’s a health supplement:

“Your gut contains over 100 trillion bacteria — and most of them are starving.”

It’s weird. It’s true. It grabs attention.

Matt Furey used facts like this all the time in his emails and sales pages. He’d lead with something outrageous-but-true, then tie it back to a simple product benefit. And it worked, because people aren’t used to being hit with truth that actually matters to them.

The best part? You can use this technique in any niche.

It works for SaaS, ecom, info products, coaching, beauty, fitness, finance, you name it.

Just make sure the fact isn’t random — it should connect directly to the big idea or problem your copy is solving. That’s how you turn an interesting fact into a powerful copywriting hook.

And if you’re stuck, try plugging your topic into Google with keywords like “surprising stats about [topic]” or “weird facts about [industry].” You’ll be swimming in inspiration within minutes.

Use this one when you want to lead with curiosity and credibility — and keep your reader asking, “Tell me more.”


5. Call Out the Reader Directly

Sometimes the simplest way to grab attention… is to talk straight to the person reading.

No fluff. No warm-up. Just look them in the eye (figuratively) and say, “This is for YOU.”

This works because it breaks the wall between writer and reader. It shifts the tone from “I’m writing something” to “Hey, I’m talking to you.” That alone can jolt someone out of passive scrolling mode and into active reading mode.

Example:

“If you’ve been stuck writing the same boring headlines that get ignored… keep reading.”

Or:

“You already know your copy isn’t converting the way it should. Here’s why.”

It’s direct. Personal. And it forces a reaction.

They either lean in and think, “Damn, that’s me…”

Or they think, “No way, I’m doing fine”… and keep reading to prove it.

Either way, they’re hooked.

This kind of opening is especially useful in email, landing pages, and blog posts where the goal is to build fast reader engagement. It pulls the reader into a one-on-one conversation and makes the copy feel tailored — even if it’s going out to 100,000 people.

Gary Halbert was a pro at this. He’d open letters with lines like:

“Let me ask you a quick question…”

or

“This is going to sound crazy at first. But stick with me.”

And instantly, you felt like he was speaking only to you. That’s the magic.

When you use this technique, don’t be vague. Be specific. Speak to a fear, frustration, desire, or situation they’re already dealing with. The more you mirror what’s in their head, the stronger the hook.

This is one of the easiest copywriting hooks to write — and one of the hardest to ignore.

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Your opening line is the gateway drug to the rest of your copy.

If it falls flat, everything after it might as well not exist.

But when you start strong — with attention grabbers that hook curiosity, stir emotion, and speak directly to your reader — you set the entire message up to succeed.

Mastering your first sentence isn't just about being flashy… it’s about knowing how to grab attention and keep it.

Use these techniques. Study the greats. And keep sharpening your instinct for what makes people stop, think, and keep reading. That’s where real reader engagement begins.

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