Techniques for writing impactful headlines
Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2024 7:03 am
Have you ever found yourself staring at the “enter address here” box and not knowing what to write?
Hate writing headlines?
Many people have trouble creating a good headline, but the good news is that you can learn to use words that grab people's attention and get more clicks.
Headlines are essentially promises, and if you want to grab a reader's attention, you need to promise them something useful and interesting.
Consider:
If the title doesn't grab the reader's interest, they'll never look at the rest of the text.
If you've written something great, the written content deserves a great title that convinces someone to check it out.
I'm sharing with you 11 simple formulas for writing compelling sales headlines :
1. Keep it simple and direct
A simple, direct headline should be used much more often than a headline. A simple, direct headline gets straight to the point. It works especially well for special offers, well-known brands, and types of products or services that the reader or customer is familiar with.
Blouses made of 100% organic cotton...30% off.
Proven shortcuts for writing news stories in record time.
Proven firmer skin in 30 days.
2. Highlight the important benefit of the service or product
This technique allows you to use the main advantages and benefits of your product in a compelling headline. This way, you will have the best chance of reaching the right audience. Even if they never read anything else you write, you will at least have introduced them to your best service or product . If you are having trouble writing headlines like this, it is a sign that you need to think more about your product or service. The Find Your Ideal Customer e-guide can help you .
Examples:
New! An online program that will help you organize and prepare all your social networks for successful sales.
Create cakes you'll be proud of.
Promote yourself like RedBull.
3. Share exciting news
People read newspapers and magazines because they like news. It's basic human nature. We're curious. We don't just want to know, we need to know. If the headline suggests a news story rather than an advertisement, it can be just as compelling.
Examples:
Scientists have finally created the perfect alternative to diamond.
Introducing the latest idea in the field of CrossFit training.
This breakthrough in the field of automotive, where the driver will no longer need to drive, will be a huge change.
4. Headlines that start with "How"
These are some of the most popular headlines because they tell the reader exactly what they’re going to learn in the post. The secret is to focus on a need or desire and promise to fulfill it. But be careful. The call to action advertising agency email list should emphasize the benefit or end result.
Example:
How to lose belly fat without the yo-yo effect.
How to clean white sneakers in minutes.
How to easily remove a red lipstick stain from a white shirt.
5. Ask a provocative question
Controversy or strangeness ignites. Your question should directly and clearly relate to the main benefit of your product or service. It should also encourage the reader to answer "yes" or at least "I'm not sure, but I want to know more."
Examples:
Are you making these six most common mistakes when filing your taxes?
Have you recently received a speeding ticket? Read this.
How do you know which mutual funds are right for you?
Are you making these 7 fatal mistakes?
6. Use a warning
Tabloids and magazines often use headlines like this to attract people to read.
Examples:
What your mechanic doesn't tell you about servicing your vehicle.
10 ways to avoid a "dead" website.
Are you making these 7 mistakes when advertising on social media?
7. Offer useful information
Let me let you in on a little secret. Most people don't want information. I know you've always been taught otherwise, but it's true.
What we humans really want is for our lives to be orderly and predictable. We want to feel empowered and in control of our lives. That's why we look for secrets, tips, tricks, laws, rules, and systems that promise to help us gain control and make sense of everything we do in life.
Examples of how headlines promise information that delivers just that:
The 20 most common steps to live longer.
The best-kept beauty secrets.
A free brochure that will show you how to solve your money problems forever.
8. A title that describes your client's sincere and enthusiastic statement
Using a title like this can help you do two things. First, it presents the reader with the advantages and benefits of your product or service from a third party perspective. Second, it takes advantage of the fact that people like to know what others think of your products or services.
Examples:
Easily the simplest course on How to Present a Personal Brand that I have ever listened to.
The first exercise and diet program really worked. It can work for you too.
This is the first personal finance book that really made sense.
9. A title that answers frequently asked questions
All of your readers have questions for you and want answers and solutions to their problems from you.
Find out what's bothering them and solve their problem.
Examples:
Do you have trouble finishing things?
Revealed: The little-known secret to stopping procrastination.
Proven advice on how to take a good photo for Instagram.
You can become famous in 30 days with the help of You Tube videos.
What to avoid when posting on LinkedIn.
10. Use a title that specifically targets a certain group of people
People want to know right away that they’re in the right place. The more you know about your ideal prospect , the better you can craft the most specific headline for them.
Imagine you are talking to someone in person. What would you say to grab and hold their attention?
These examples show how you can hook someone and direct them to the rest of the text:
Do you have two left feet? YOU too can learn to dance hip hop with this method.
An easy way to re-wear your favorite jeans from before the pandemic.
If you don't check what's in your toothpaste right away, you'll regret it later.
11. Add emotion-inducing words and call-to-action words to your headline
We know that encouraging and persuasive words can make a big difference in your content and text, so don't forget to add them to your headlines to connect with your reader. Let them know that you understand their problems and that you can help them.
Examples:
Many people in our Facebook group have low back pain (but they know how to deal with it)-
Prepare to be more confident the next time you meet your old boss
10 smart tips that will turn your boring workspace into a productivity haven.
There are many other ways to write headlines that sell. Regardless of the strategy you choose, don't jump to conclusions. Take your time. The secret to writing good headlines is to write as many as possible.
Encourage yourself to write at least 20 of them, this will force you to think outside the box. You can also help yourself by searching for catchy headlines online and using a similar model for your post.
Above all, test and monitor what works and what doesn't. And don't forget – make sure your post is beautifully designed, which you can easily do in Canva.
Hate writing headlines?
Many people have trouble creating a good headline, but the good news is that you can learn to use words that grab people's attention and get more clicks.
Headlines are essentially promises, and if you want to grab a reader's attention, you need to promise them something useful and interesting.
Consider:
If the title doesn't grab the reader's interest, they'll never look at the rest of the text.
If you've written something great, the written content deserves a great title that convinces someone to check it out.
I'm sharing with you 11 simple formulas for writing compelling sales headlines :
1. Keep it simple and direct
A simple, direct headline should be used much more often than a headline. A simple, direct headline gets straight to the point. It works especially well for special offers, well-known brands, and types of products or services that the reader or customer is familiar with.
Blouses made of 100% organic cotton...30% off.
Proven shortcuts for writing news stories in record time.
Proven firmer skin in 30 days.
2. Highlight the important benefit of the service or product
This technique allows you to use the main advantages and benefits of your product in a compelling headline. This way, you will have the best chance of reaching the right audience. Even if they never read anything else you write, you will at least have introduced them to your best service or product . If you are having trouble writing headlines like this, it is a sign that you need to think more about your product or service. The Find Your Ideal Customer e-guide can help you .
Examples:
New! An online program that will help you organize and prepare all your social networks for successful sales.
Create cakes you'll be proud of.
Promote yourself like RedBull.
3. Share exciting news
People read newspapers and magazines because they like news. It's basic human nature. We're curious. We don't just want to know, we need to know. If the headline suggests a news story rather than an advertisement, it can be just as compelling.
Examples:
Scientists have finally created the perfect alternative to diamond.
Introducing the latest idea in the field of CrossFit training.
This breakthrough in the field of automotive, where the driver will no longer need to drive, will be a huge change.
4. Headlines that start with "How"
These are some of the most popular headlines because they tell the reader exactly what they’re going to learn in the post. The secret is to focus on a need or desire and promise to fulfill it. But be careful. The call to action advertising agency email list should emphasize the benefit or end result.
Example:
How to lose belly fat without the yo-yo effect.
How to clean white sneakers in minutes.
How to easily remove a red lipstick stain from a white shirt.
5. Ask a provocative question
Controversy or strangeness ignites. Your question should directly and clearly relate to the main benefit of your product or service. It should also encourage the reader to answer "yes" or at least "I'm not sure, but I want to know more."
Examples:
Are you making these six most common mistakes when filing your taxes?
Have you recently received a speeding ticket? Read this.
How do you know which mutual funds are right for you?
Are you making these 7 fatal mistakes?
6. Use a warning
Tabloids and magazines often use headlines like this to attract people to read.
Examples:
What your mechanic doesn't tell you about servicing your vehicle.
10 ways to avoid a "dead" website.
Are you making these 7 mistakes when advertising on social media?
7. Offer useful information
Let me let you in on a little secret. Most people don't want information. I know you've always been taught otherwise, but it's true.
What we humans really want is for our lives to be orderly and predictable. We want to feel empowered and in control of our lives. That's why we look for secrets, tips, tricks, laws, rules, and systems that promise to help us gain control and make sense of everything we do in life.
Examples of how headlines promise information that delivers just that:
The 20 most common steps to live longer.
The best-kept beauty secrets.
A free brochure that will show you how to solve your money problems forever.
8. A title that describes your client's sincere and enthusiastic statement
Using a title like this can help you do two things. First, it presents the reader with the advantages and benefits of your product or service from a third party perspective. Second, it takes advantage of the fact that people like to know what others think of your products or services.
Examples:
Easily the simplest course on How to Present a Personal Brand that I have ever listened to.
The first exercise and diet program really worked. It can work for you too.
This is the first personal finance book that really made sense.
9. A title that answers frequently asked questions
All of your readers have questions for you and want answers and solutions to their problems from you.
Find out what's bothering them and solve their problem.
Examples:
Do you have trouble finishing things?
Revealed: The little-known secret to stopping procrastination.
Proven advice on how to take a good photo for Instagram.
You can become famous in 30 days with the help of You Tube videos.
What to avoid when posting on LinkedIn.
10. Use a title that specifically targets a certain group of people
People want to know right away that they’re in the right place. The more you know about your ideal prospect , the better you can craft the most specific headline for them.
Imagine you are talking to someone in person. What would you say to grab and hold their attention?
These examples show how you can hook someone and direct them to the rest of the text:
Do you have two left feet? YOU too can learn to dance hip hop with this method.
An easy way to re-wear your favorite jeans from before the pandemic.
If you don't check what's in your toothpaste right away, you'll regret it later.
11. Add emotion-inducing words and call-to-action words to your headline
We know that encouraging and persuasive words can make a big difference in your content and text, so don't forget to add them to your headlines to connect with your reader. Let them know that you understand their problems and that you can help them.
Examples:
Many people in our Facebook group have low back pain (but they know how to deal with it)-
Prepare to be more confident the next time you meet your old boss
10 smart tips that will turn your boring workspace into a productivity haven.
There are many other ways to write headlines that sell. Regardless of the strategy you choose, don't jump to conclusions. Take your time. The secret to writing good headlines is to write as many as possible.
Encourage yourself to write at least 20 of them, this will force you to think outside the box. You can also help yourself by searching for catchy headlines online and using a similar model for your post.
Above all, test and monitor what works and what doesn't. And don't forget – make sure your post is beautifully designed, which you can easily do in Canva.