"The BSRC Checklist": A Proven 4-Step Formula For Writing Irresistible Email Subject Lines

47% of people open emails based only on the subject line (Optinmonster). 

Yet most content creators spend less than 20 seconds writing theirs.

The result: 

Their emails get ignored. 

They don’t get read, don’t earn money, and sadly — were never worth writing.

The good news? 

There’s a 4-step checklist for writing irresistible subject lines…

One that played a huge role in taking The Pen Pivot’s open rate from 39% to 52%.

The “BSRC Checklist” helps you write subject lines that:

• Get noticed.

• Build trust.

• Skyrocket open rates.

You’re about to learn:

• The 4 pillars of the BSRC checklist.

• How to use it to increase your own email open rate.

• A ChatGPT prompt to generate BSRC subject lines for your emails in 3 seconds.

Let’s get to it.

What Is The BSRC Checklist?

It stands for:

1. Benefit: What’s in it for the reader?

2. Specificity: How clear and detailed is the subject line?

3. Relevance: Does it match your audience’s interests?

4. Curiosity: Does it spark intrigue without being misleading?

Together, these elements make any email subject line irresistible. 

They balance clarity with curiosity — making your email feel worth opening.

Why The BSRC Checklist Works So Well

It taps into key psychological triggers:

• Benefit: Appeals to the reader’s self-interest.

• Specificity: Builds trust and sets clear expectations.

• Relevance: Makes the email feel personal and timely.

• Curiosity: Encourages clicking by leaving just enough mystery.

Mistakes To Avoid:

• Misleading subject lines: Don’t promise what the email doesn’t deliver — it damages trust.

• Vague statements: Unclear subject lines will always feel like clickbait and increase the risk of spam reports.

Let’s go through each step of the checklist in more detail (with examples).

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