Headlines are one of the most often overlooked copywriting elements. Would you like to be able to write killer headlines? In this episode, I offer 10 killer tips that will have you writing headlines like a pro in no time. All this and more on the Late Night Internet Marketing Podcast.
Show Notes
Some people do not believe that they can write good copies, they have these limiting beliefs that copywriting is hard, and they simply couldn’t do it so one essential thing that you need when writing is headspace. You need to get in your own head and convince yourself that you can.
A good start is getting into the head of your clients. No one knows your ideal client better than you. Talk to your target audience and once you have that connection, you can write a good copy. Writing a good copy is just about having a conversation with your perspective client that helps them find a solution to their problem.
Headlines help capture the attention and the imagination of your perspective clients. They are essential as you only have few seconds to convince someone when they see your page or your ad.
That is our focus for today so here are 10 tips that will help you write killer headlines, whether it be in a blog post, social media, Google ads or long-form sales letters or videos.
1. Spend time on your headline – put yourself in the shoes of the prospect and imagine what would catch your attention. Write down multiple options and perhaps even test the headline.
2. Use powerful negative language – Studies suggests using negative words can be more impactful than positive ones. These kind of emotion-evoking words in your headline stop readers’ eyeballs and get them to consider what you’re saying. Thread between writing something sensational and keeping integrity.
3. Do keyword research – Get an idea of what people are searching for. It’s always smart to consider what people are putting in the search box for two reasons: gain organic search traffic from your sales page depending on how popular your terms are and; the words that people are typing into Google are actually words that your prospect is using. That’s their language, leverage on that.
4. Include numbers in your headlines – Studies have shown that numbers stop eyeballs. Example: “17 Ways to Take Four Strokes Off Your Golf Game.” This has been a common recommendation built solidly on marketing science used over the years.
5. Create curiosity – Give people a reason to read further. “This Weird Food Will Cause You to Lose 75 Lbs.” Well, I gotta click on this to find out what this weird food is!
6. Imply distrust – “The One Internet Marketing Secret that Internet Marketing Gurus Don’t Want You to Know” Your readers will go: Oh my gosh, there’s this conspiracy and I’m going to read on to figure this out! Creating intrigue, distrust in your headline would cause curiosity.
7. Use the second person – Talk about the prospect and talk to the prospect in the headline as much as possible. “The 7 Things You Can Do to Change Your Life Tomorrow Without Telling a Soul” Golly, he is talking to me!
8. Create controversy – If everyone in your industry is turning right, consider writing a headline where you turn left because that will stand out from everybody else. Controversy in your headline will cause people to want to know more. “The 6 Reasons Why BMW is the Worst Car on the Road Today” How could you possibly think that BMW is the worst car on the road? I own a BMW. I thought it was great…then your readers read on.
9. Use emotional adjectives – evoke a little emotion in the headline that will trigger people to read the rest of the sales letter, use words which willmake your headline larger-than-life. “The painstaking problems this this method will solve” or “The excruciating pain that you feel when you miss a golf shot” Make your language a little bit unusual. Use big adjectives that amplify the emotion or the greatness of the benefit, adjectives which are colorful and which brings vivid images to mind.
10. Make a bold promise – make a bold promise that would lead your prospect on and deliver on that.
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