Do This to Keep Readers Hooked on Your Email Course

Running an email course is a brilliant way to attract leads, show your expertise and build trust at scale.

But there’s one common problem:

What if people stop reading halfway through?

If you’ve ever launched a free course only to see your open rates drop off after the first email or two, you’re not alone.

Even when your content is strong, keeping people engaged over several days can be a challenge.

So how do you get more subscribers to actually finish your course?

Here’s one of the easiest (and most effective) tweaks you can make.

Set the Hook for What’s Coming Next

At the end of each lesson, give readers a short preview of what they’ll get in the next email.

That’s it.

Sounds too simple to matter, right?

But it works.

When you tell people what to expect tomorrow (or in the next instalment), you create forward momentum. You give them a reason to keep an eye out.

And you subtly reinforce the idea that this is a journey – not just a series of one-off tips.

Compare these two endings:

Without a hook:

“That’s it for today’s lesson. Speak soon.”

With a hook:

“In tomorrow’s email, I’ll show you a ridiculously simple trick to increase your reply rate – especially if your audience is quiet.”

See the difference?

One fades out. The other keeps interest alive.

Why This Works So Well

It taps into something simple: curiosity.

People are more likely to keep reading when they know what’s coming – and when it sounds valuable.

It also mimics the structure of binge-worthy content. Think of how a good TV show ends each episode with a teaser or cliffhanger. You want to know what happens next, so you keep watching.

The same psychology applies here.

And if your content is genuinely useful (which it should be), a well-placed teaser just increases the chances they’ll stay with you to the end.

You Can Use This in Any Sequence

While this works beautifully in email courses, you can apply the same principle in:

• Welcome sequences
• Sales funnels
• Product launches
• Onboarding series

Anywhere you’re sending a series of emails, use the final line to hint at the value in the next one.

It’s a small change, but it helps create a sense of flow. And that flow keeps people moving forward, day after day.

Don’t Forget the Basics

Of course, this trick won’t fix a course that doesn’t deliver value in the first place.

To keep subscribers engaged, you still need:

• Clear, focused lessons
• Practical advice they can use straight away
• A topic that solves a real problem
• A natural connection to your paid offers

But once you’ve got those elements in place, adding a simple “next up” teaser at the end of each email can significantly improve completion rates.

Final Thought

If you want people to finish your email course, don’t just hope they do.

Guide them through it.

Give them reasons to stay curious. Remind them that what’s coming is worth their time.

It only takes a few extra words at the end of each email – but the impact can be huge.