Headlines attract attention. Headlines generate interest. The time spent writing headlines can pay you back many times over.
Do you have a product or service to sell? How do you attract new customers, clients, prospects, leads or patients?
Most likely you attract them through the written word in some sort of advertising, articles, or press release. In each case you need a headline.
In fact, every printed document you publish should have a headline on it. Yes, even including your business card, if you have one!
So, what should go in your headline? Below are seven headline ideas that have proved profitable in the past. Remember the goal of the headline is to stop your reader dead in their tracks and get them to read further in to your sales copy.
1). Answer the question, "What's In It For Me?" Offer the reader a big benefit or promise of they continue reading. Here are a few examples:
* The Secret of Making People Like You
* Who Else Wants A Screen Star Figure?
* You Can Laugh At Money Worries - If You Follow This Simple Plan
* How to Win Friends and Influence People
* Discover The Fortune That Lies Hidden In Your Salary
The promise can be either explicit or implied, but it must be clear to the reader.
2). Tightly target your headlines. Don't write your headline to everyone. A headline written to everyone in reality is written to no one. Grab the attention of a very specific target audience by mentioning them by name. Here are some examples of tightly targeted headlines.
* You Can Laugh At Money Worries - If You Follow This Simple Plan
* Discover The Fortune That Lies Hidden In Your Salary
* To People Who Want To Write - But Can't Get Started
* To Men Who Want TO Quit Work Someday
* For the Woman Who Is older Than She Looks
* CAR Owners ... Save ONE GALLON OF GAS In Every TEN
* GIRLS...Want Quick CURLS?
* Attention Small Business Owners: Why Doesn't Your Advertising Work? Finally, You Can Stop Wasting Good Money On Useless Advertising! FREE Report Reveals How To Get More Customers In A Month Than You Now Get All Year - Guaranteed! Call 1-877-232-9362, Toll-Free, 24 hr., For FREE Recorded Message Now!
3). Do you have something new and exciting to offer? Try writing headline like these:
* New Cake-Improver Gets Your Compliments Galore!
* Great New Discovery Kills Kitchen Odors Quick! - Makes Indoor Air "Country Fresh"
* Announcing... The New Edition Of The Encyclopedia That Makes It Fun To Learn Things
* Announcing The New FORD CARS For 2006
* Breakthrough Money-Making Secrets That Sex Sites Do Not Want You to Find Out About - Uncovered And Revealed Inside!
* Breakthrough Internet Marketing Group Uncovers The Secrets To Getting Rich On The Web Using Simple Math Strategies!
4) Got a quick and easy solution to a problem? People are always looking for faster and easier ways to do things, so let them know.
* Headline Creator Pro Software Generates 100 Winning Headlines Quickly With Push-Button Ease!
* PLAY GUITAR In 7 Days Or Money Back [Note: Quick and easy is implied]
* Hands That Look Lovelier In 24 Hours - Or Your Money Back
* How I Improved My Memory In One Evening
* How A New Kind Of Clay Improved My Complexion In 30 Minutes
* Here's a Quick Way to Break Up a Cold.
* How To Take Out Stains... Just Follow These Easy Directions
* Here's What to Do to Get Rid of Pimples Fast
5) Ask a question, especially one that can't be answered by "yes" or "no." When a question can't be answered by "yes" or "no" the reader will generally continue reading to discover the answer. The human mind hates to be left wondering about the answer to a question. Pose a question and the human mind will work to find an answer.
* Can You Talk About BOOKS With The Rest Of Them?
* How Much Is "Working Tension" Costing Your Company?
* Do You Make These Mistakes In English?
* Five Familiar Skin Troubles - Which Do You Want To Overcome?
* Which Of These $2.50 to $5.00 Best Sellers Do You Want For Only $1.00 Each?
* Who Ever Heard Of A Woman Losing Weight - And Enjoying 3 Delicious Meals At The Same Time?
* Whose Fault When Children Disobey?
* Can You Pass This Money Test?
6) Write a hook into your headline to get your reader to continue reading.
* WARNING: Don't Pay For Another Ad Until You Read This Message!
* WARNING: Don't Join An Affiliate Program That Doesn't Meet The Following Criteria!
* Using A Lawyer May Be Dangerous To Your Wealth
* The Truth About Getting Rich
* The Most Expensive Mistake Of Your Life
* How The Next NINETY Days Can Change Your LIFE
7) Put a guarantee in your headline to increase trust.
* Guaranteed To Go Through Ice, Mud or Snow - Or We Pay The Tow!
* Hands That Look Lovelier In 24 Hours - Or Your Money Back
* PLAY GUITAR In 7 Days Or Money Back
* Hot Fresh Pizza Delivered Right To Your Door In 30 Minutes or Less - Guaranteed!
Writing headlines doesn't have to be hard.
Since these headline styles have proven the test of time, use the headlines above as models or templates as you write your own headlines, adapting them to meet the needs of your product or target audience.
The Humble Postcard Is Making A Comeback
Once lost in the glitter of the dot com era, both online and offline marketers are rediscovering the value of the simple postcard. When used properly, no other marketing tool can compare with postcards.
Copywriting for Sales - Understand Your Audience's Need
Do you know your target audience's needs, wants, and desires? If not, how do you know you are marketing to the right target audience? In this article I'll discuss why understanding the needs, wants, and desires of your target audience is important if you want to make sales.
Test Your Headlines for Maximum Profits
Do you write one headline and hope for the best? Or do you test several headlines before rolling out your marketing campaign? If you don't test your headlines, you are leaving money on the table!
