Welcome to The Newsletter Operator!

In today’s email:

• 5 video hooks that drive subscribers for <$2 with Meta and TikTok ads

• How Sam Parr and The Hustle planned events

• Refind launches newsletter conversion ads

• And more…

Let’s dive in!

Deep Dive

5 Video Ad Hooks That Drive Low-Cost, High-Quality Subscribers

My agency drives subscribers for <$2.00 with UGC video ads on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

… and we do it with the same 5 video hooks.

Here are the hooks, why they work, and how you can use them to grow your newsletter:

Hook 1

Here's how (# of readers) (reader persona) start their day.

Examples:

• “Here's how 850,000 investors start their day.”

• “Here’s how 100,000 developers start their day”

• “Here’s what 10,000 entrepreneurs read every morning”

• “Here’s how leaders at Google, Amazon, and Meta start their day”

Why this works:

• Builds credibility with the number of readers

• Shows viewers that people like them are reading

• Grabs attention with curiosity. People want to discover what similar people are reading

Hook 2

Did you hear / Did you know (current event related to newsletter topic)?

Examples:

• “Did you hear about the SVB collapse?”

• “Did you know that Twitter just open sourced its algorithm?”

• “Did you know that Salvador Dalí is the most faked artist in the world?”

• “Did you hear about ‘Tako’ the new AI chatbot just released by TikTok?”

Note: You need to transition into why your newsletter is the best news source for this topic. You’ll also want to add images or b-roll to show the fact or story the actor is talking about.

Here’s what I mean:

“Did you hear about ‘Tako’ the new AI chatbot just released by TikTok?

Tako appears on the right side of the TikTok app and you ask it questions or recommendations.

I learned about this in The AI Memo newsletter. It’s an awesome and free newsletter that keeps me up to date on the latest AI news and trends.”

Why this works:

• People are interested in new things and current events

• Doesn't look like an ad, just a video about the story

• Grabs attention with curiosity. People want to know the full story.

Hook 3

If you're trying to (achieve goal or outcome), then you need to check out (newsletter).

This is the classic “if, then” hook.

You can also open the hook with a question rather than an “if” statement.

Examples:

• “If you want to stay up to date on AI news, trends, and tools - you need to check out The AI Memo.”

• “Want to grow your newsletter? Then you need to check out The Newsletter Operator!”

• “If you want to become a smarter, more informed investor - then you need to read The Daily Upside”

• “Want to double your sales on Linkedin? This newsletter will teach you how you do it.”

• “If you work in the fitness industry, you NEED to be reading this newsletter.”

Why this works:

• The viewer is directly told what benefits they'll get for signing up.

• Gets straight to the point and delivers key benefits in <3-5 seconds

• Uses “dog whistle” copy to call out the people the newsletter is for

Hook 4

Over (number of subs) use this free newsletter to (achieve goal).

Examples:

• “Over 10,000 dentists read MorningFloss to get the latest dental news and clinical research.”

• “Over 250,000 people use this free newsletter to build a happier, healthier, wealthier life.”

• “10,000 people read {newsletter name} to get comprehensive daily news without bias.”

• “Over 100,000 read this newsletter to become smarter investors.”

Why this works:

• Builds credibility right away with the number of readers

• The viewer hears the benefits of signing up

• Benefits + credibility and proof = great ad

Hook 5

My (person) thinks I'm a genius because I (benefit of newsletter), but really I just read (newsletter).

Example:

• “My friends think I'm a genius because I'm up to date on all the AI news, but really I just read The AI Memo.”

• “My boss thinks I’m smart (I’m not). It’s because I read The Hustle and he has no idea it exists.”

• “My boss thinks I’m an expert marketer but I really just steal all my ideas from the DTC newsletter.”

Why this works:

• It shows a desired benefit

• It shows the benefit is easy to achieve

• It reveals a secret that keeps people's attention

6 More Great Hooks

Those are my top 5 hooks that have been working for years.

Here are 6 more that also work great:

Hook #6

The hook: The #1 thing I tell every (customer title / niche) who wants (ideal outcome) is this!

Example hook: The #1 thing I tell every investor who wants better returns is this!

Hook #7

The hook: Here's a tip from a professional (business / position) that can save you a ton of (problem they have).

Example hook: Here's a tip from a professional lawyer, that can save you a ton of money on lawyer fees.

Hook #8

The hook: I don't know who needs to hear this but you're probably (action) (business / niche / product) wrong. Let me tell you why.

Example hook: I don't know who needs to hear this but you're probably monetizing your newsletter all wrong. Let me tell you why.

Hook #9

The hook: Here's the easiest way to get (desired outcome) only using (easiest method that everyone can use / has available)

Example hook: Here's the easiest way to win your fantasy football league with just 5 minutes of work per week

Hook #10

The hook: This is a (subject niche related / industry related) tip I really wish I knew when I was first starting out…

Example hook: This is a bodybuilding tip I really wish I knew when I was first starting out…

Hook #11

The hook: This is for anyone who wants to get (desired outcome) but can’t stand (pain point). If that’s you, then hear me out…

Example hook: This is for anyone who wants to get smarter on business but can’t stand reading long, boring articles. If that’s you, then hear me out…