How to Write Attention Getting Headlines like a Pro
This article explains how
to write attention getting headlines that will compel readers to stick around.
Why Care About the
Headline?
In today’s busy world,
headlines play an integral role to entice people into reading the article,
web-page, or e-mail. Statistics show that just over 16% of readers will
actually read the entire article; the rest of them will stop at the headlines.
What happened? Those readers decided based on reading the headline that reading
the rest of the article wouldn’t be worth their time.
To keep your headlines in
the winning 16% of the pool, you better start writing them like you mean it. In
the next section, we’ll learn how pros write headlines that make an impact.
Tips on Writing
Attention Getting Headlines
When you write headlines,
do what the pros do – they borrow heavily from other successful headline
writers. By this I don’t mean plagiarize their actual headlines. But I do mean
use borrow their techniques, heavily! Here are a few of my favorite headline
techniques that you should try:
-
Get a Gimmick. Phrases like “Top Secrets,” “Like a Pro,” “Never Before Shared,”
phrases like that will get someone’s attention! You could also use a
cliff-hanger style headline where the reader will feel compelled to read to
find out what you’re up to. Here are some more hot phrases that stuff
people cold in their tracks:
-
The Truth of…
-
Free…
-
How to…
-
Use a Number. I don’t know why we like numbers, but we do. Five Secrets, 101
Ways, 25 Top Destinations… People like odd numbers and they like numbers
that end in 1 (not the actual #1 unless you’re going to share the #1 top
secret type of information), 5, 7, 9. So every odd number except for 3.
When you use 1 as in 11 or 21, it’s like you’re giving the reader an extra
bonus. Stopping at 3 as in 13 (unlucky) or 23 seems like you ran out of
steam before you could make it to a number ending in 5. Twelve is popular
because of the tie in to the number of months we have in a year. Hey it
works, so make sure you work it, too.
-
Get your Keyword(s) in your Headline.
You’d be surprised how many times people violate this guideline. You’re
trying to target people who have an interest in whatever you have to say.
Use the keywords. In the headline. This guideline ties in with the
guideline that follows.
-
Make them Stand Alone.
Because the headline may be all the reader will see before they click (if
they do at all) on it to read the copy, you must make sure that the headline
will stand alone. Your headline must make sense without the backup copy.
For this reason alone, don’t get too cute with puns that only make sense
after you read the copy. Also, check for any humorous interpretations or
double entendres in your headline.
-
Don’t let it get TOO Long.
Remember, a headline is just that, a headline. Not the first paragraph or
even a summary. Resist the urge to let your headline run on for more than
10-15 words. Any more than that and you risk losing the reader’s attention.
Now that you’ve learned how
the pros do it, you can write excellent headlines, too! So what are you waiting
for? Get out there and write powerful headlines!
Marketing Tips Provided to You by:
Matt Bacak, The Powerful Promoter
Author of Powerful Promoting Tips
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