There is no one fast and firm technique for writing a headline. If the headline works – it’s written correctly. If it doesn’t work, you’ll know.
There are, however, some basic headline rules that always work. All you have to do is learn the rules and then write headlines that obey those rules.
1. Keep it Short and Simple (KISS)
Don’t beat around the bush; don’t try to use clever word play. Just deliver your message and let the headline do its job.
· “Free Shipping On All Harry Potter Books Ordered By January 31”
· “Save 30% on Authentic Designer Purses”
· “Lose 3 Dress Sizes In 30 Days”
· “Learn How to Increase Your Trading Skills at a No-Cost Online Seminar”
· “Pay Less for Valentine's Day Flowers: Pre-Order Today”
2. Keep the benefit out in front of the reader
Don’t make readers wonder what’s in it for them. State it up front and state it loud and clear.
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· Make $750 per week in your spare time by cleaning window blinds
· Quit Smoking in 30 days WITHOUT Cold Turkey Symptoms
· Learn how to profit from the coming oil shortage
3. Try writing a newsworthy headline
People love a “newsy” headline. Newspaper journalists know that so take a cue from their writing style and watch your sales grow. This type of headline skirts a bit around the “funnel” concept because it doesn’t necessarily weed out the interested from the disinterested, but it’s powerful enough to make it worth trying.
· “Brazilian Botanist Discovers Anti-Aging Nectar In Common Planter”
· “Unemployed Truck Driver Finds Gold In Recycled Garage Junk”
· “Created for his own kids, Dermatologist announces new acne treatment”
· “Home Business Accountant Reveals 50 Legal Tax Deductions YOU Overlooked!”
Don’t be concerned if the product or service isn’t brand new. It doesn’t have to be brand new to be “news” to someone who has never heard of it.
4. Use the power of “How To”
You almost can’t go wrong with a “How To” headline. People love learning new ways to accomplish things and they love to look knowledgeable to their friends.
· “How to Hypnotize ANYONE in 2 minutes or less”
· “How to write killer headlines every time”
· “How to do all the magic tricks you see on TV”
· “How to make money in your spare time with a block of wood and a pencil”
5. Give them a juicy question to ponder.
Pose a question that can only lead them to read your Article to get the answer. People love questions and they’ll love your product or service if it answers it for them.
· “Was your last raise as big as you deserved it to be?”
· “Have you ever made THIS mistake on your resume?”
· “What do people think when they hear you talk?”
· “Have you ever been nervous about approaching someone you’d like to meet?”
6. Give them a direct command.
There are plenty of people who are waiting for someone to tell them what to do. You can be their leader if you craft the right headline.
· “Stop wasting time and get the promotion you deserve”
· “Don’t let shyness stop you from finding true love”
· “Stop losing at the poker table. Read this article now”
· “Stop looking like you dressed in the dark”
7. Offer people life-changing information
People spend billions of dollars every year on books, magazines, newspapers and newsletters because they want to change their lives. You can tap into that huge market with your life-changing headlines.
· “Ten Steps You Need To Take Now To Terrorist-Proof Your Portfolio”
· “Discover The 5 Easy Steps To Writing Your Own Sales Copy”
· “10 Things You Can Do Right Now To Add 20 Years To Your Life”
· “What Your Dentist Hopes You’ll Never Discover About Over-billing”
8. Use testimonials to let other people sell for you.
You don’t have to be an expert as long as someone else is willing to praise your product or service. You get a double bang because people want to own or use things that are popular and they want to associate with successful or popular people.
· “Read what your stockbroker is reading and know what your stockbroker knows.”
· “Here are the 5 things that all successful Internet marketers have in common.”
· “Why Oprah won’t leave home without this makeup item in her purse.”
· “15 popular Presidents carried a silver dollar with them. Here’s why you should too.”
9. Personify your headline by adding a bit of character to the subject.
People are naturally distrustful of advertising, especially when it seems a bit hard to believe or when they feel disconnected from what the headline is saying. Add a little “down home” authenticity and watch your response rate soar.
· “N.Y. Cab Driver Discovers Secret To Better Vision”
· “How one Texas ranch hand wins 8 out of 10 poker hands”
· “Swiss Jeweler rocks the world with new simulated diamond”
· “Florida housewife bans roaches using this common pantry item”
Now that you’ve written the perfect headline, it’s time to hand the baton over to the Article body so it can do its job. Here’s how to do that.
