Acquisition Content Newsletter Subject Lines

Newsletter Subject Lines

Generate scored subject line options that get opens — not 5 random guesses. Every line is built from a real, named framework with a proven pattern.

Automation level: AUTONOMOUS (subject lines are low-risk; user picks the final one from the scored list)

Setup Required

Standalone mode (calling this skill directly without a /content routine) requires no Notion setup — it skips the Notion update step entirely.

Mode Detection (do this first)

Check whether today's newsletter exists:

ls inbox/outputs/md/$(date +%Y-%m-%d)-acquisition-content-newsletter-repurpose.md 2>/dev/null

• Found → Routine Mode (running as the final /content step)
• Not found → Standalone Mode (user called this skill directly)

Mode affects two things only:

Everything else in this skill works identically.

Step 1: Read Context

Read these files before anything else:

• context/my-voice-dna.md — voice rules and strong opinions/beliefs that should colour the angle

These are non-negotiable for content skills.

Step 2: Get the Newsletter Draft

Routine Mode:

• Read inbox/outputs/md/YYYY-MM-DD-acquisition-content-newsletter-repurpose.md (today's date)
• The Notion page ID was logged by the upstream skill — capture it from the session context for Step 8

Standalone Mode:

• Ask: "Paste the newsletter draft, or give me the file path."
• If the user gives a path, read it
• No Notion page exists — skip the Notion update at Step 8

Extract from the draft:

• Core topic (1 phrase)
• Lead story / hook moment (1 sentence)
• Key result, number, or specific claim (if any)
• One-line lesson the edition lands on

Step 3: Identify Edition Intent

Pick ONE primary intent for the edition:

Then map intent → framework categories using this table:

Step 4: Load Frameworks

Read ONLY the matched category sections from references/frameworks.md. Do not load the whole file — that wastes context.

Each framework in the file has:

• Pattern — the template to instantiate
• When to use — situational fit
• Example — voice anchor

Use the Pattern as the structure. Use the Example as the voice/style reference. Never invent a new framework — pick one of the 100 by name.

Step 5: Generate 8-10 Subject Lines

For each subject line:

1. Pick a framework that genuinely fits the newsletter content (not just one that sounds clever)
2. Instantiate the Pattern using real specifics from the draft (numbers, names, the actual lesson)
3. Write a complementary Preview Text (40-90 chars) — extends the subject, doesn't repeat it

Distribution rule: Spread across at least 3 different frameworks. Don't generate 8 variants of "Confession" — variety lets the strongest framework stand out.

Step 6: Score Each Line

Score every subject line silently on 4 criteria (1-4 each, max 16):

Step 7: Build the Output

# Newsletter Subject Lines — YYYY-MM-DD

**Source:** YYYY-MM-DD-acquisition-content-newsletter-repurpose.md  (or "user-pasted draft")
**Edition intent:** [intent]
**Framework categories used:** [list]

---

## ⭐ Recommended Pick

**Subject:** "[winning line]"
**Framework:** [name] ([category])
**Preview:** "[preview text]"
**Score:** [N]/16 (curiosity [X], specificity [X], voice [X], length [X])
**Why this one:** [1 sentence — what makes it the strongest match for this edition]

### A/B Variants of Pick
| Variant | Subject | Preview | Different angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | "[variant 1]" | "[preview]" | [what makes A different from pick] |
| B | "[variant 2]" | "[preview]" | [what makes B different from pick] |

---

## All Options

| # | Subject | Framework | Preview | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [line] | [name] | [preview] | [N]/16 |
| ... | | | | |

(Sorted highest score first)

---

## Style Audit

- Lowercase: [N]/[total]
- Under 50 chars: [N]/[total]
- No banned words (unlock, transform, game-changer, revolutionary, breakthrough, level up, paradigm, mindset shift, leverage, optimize, crush it, life-changing, next level, skyrocket, utilize, implement, facilitate, synergy, don't miss, discover): [N]/[total]
- No em dashes (—): [N]/[total]
- Specific (number / name / moment present): [N]/[total]

If any audit row is below 80%, regenerate the failing lines before saving.

Step 8: Update Notion (Routine Mode Only)

Skip this step entirely in Standalone Mode.

In Routine Mode:

1. The newsletter page in [YOUR_NEWSLETTER_DATABASE_NAME] was created by the upstream newsletter skill with a placeholder Subject Line
2. Update that page using mcp__claude_ai_Notion__notion-update-page
3. Patch the Subject Line field with the recommended pick (the winner from Step 7, not the variants)
4. Confirm: "Notion newsletter page Subject Line updated to: '[pick]'"

If the Notion page ID is not in session context, search Notion for the most recent page in [YOUR_NEWSLETTER_DATABASE_NAME] matching today's date; if no match, skip update.

Step 9: Save Output

Save to inbox/outputs/md/YYYY-MM-DD-acquisition-content-newsletter-subject-lines.md

Then tell the user:

"Subject lines ready. Recommended: '[pick]'. Two A/B variants saved if you want to test."

Edge Cases

What good looks like

A scored, voice-tuned shortlist where the recommended pick is obviously the strongest, the A/B variants give a real testing option, and every line in the table could plausibly be sent. No "filler" options. No banned words. Every line backed by a real framework name from references/frameworks.md.