As with good ad copy, all successful headlines are written by following and
using specific formulas. Where do you get these formulas you ask? I'll get
to that in a moment. First you must have the information you need to apply
to these formulas. This knowledge base is the result of passing information
compiled and researched from past advertising campaigns, and correctly
applying this information to the following formulas in future headlines.
This "passing of information" is a continual process, passed on from
campaign to campaign. Each time extracting what you learned from the
campaign before. If you fail to document past successes and failures, you
would be writing your headlines on nothing more than a "trial and error"
basis.
Since you as the reader and marketer can be from any one of a million
different business categories, I will list several different possible
formulas and hopefully finding the one that applies to you. If you cannot
find one that applies directly to your business, they may still help in your
"Headline Writing Skills".
Although having a successful headline is 75% of your goal, you still must
have good copy to go with it. But today we are focusing on the headline
portion. If you don't have a killer headline, your copy, no matter how good
or bad, will never be seen.
Headlines are used to get a direct response from your reader. You are trying
to invoke a "snake bite" like reaction. You either grab them or you don't.
In writing direct response Headlines you are not trying to build a
relationship or bond with your reader. You want their attention no matter
how much their brain is saying to their eyes, "don't stop", you must beat
the brain at it's own game. You must say it that much louder and be that
much more convincing, "STOP", "LOOK AT ME"!
Ok, I'm going to give you some well known "eye stopping" headline
techniques.
1) Power Words
For a reference list of the best Power Words check
Power Words are your most important factor in writing Headlines. Without
"Power Words" and "Power Phrases" you have little chance of headline
survival.
2) Testimonials in Headlines:
"I was down to my last cent, but now I'm making $1000 a week"
"This is how I became a successful in Direct Marketing"
"I needed extra money, now I'm making more than I ever expected"
3) "Testing Your Reader"
Vanity and Superiority are strong marketing and sales tools. Testing is but
one use of these universal qualities:
"Pass this test to qualify"
"Can you pass this Small Business Survival Test?"
"If you pass this test, your dreams can come true"
4) "One and Two Word Headlines are Attention Grabbers!"
Examples of one-worders:
MONEY
FREE
CASH
OPPORTUNITIES
HOMEWORKERS
EARN
SUCCESS
PROFITS
Examples of two-worders:
MONEY MAKERS
FREE SAMPLE
INSTANT CASH
UNLIMITED OPPORTUNITIES
HOME WORKERS WANTED
EARN MORE
SUCCEED NOW
INSTANT PROFITS
5) The "Don't Buy" Technique
This headline is effective because you are telling the reader something
their eyes don't expect to see. Don't Buy?
"Don't waste your money, Read This Report First"
"Don't buy......, until you have seen our prices"
"Don't spend money needlessly. Get The Facts First"
6) Speak to the Reader, not at the Reader
"I'll train you to be a success"
"If you follow my program, I'll help you to success"
"They thought I was crazy, after reading this, will you"
7) Specific Targeting
"Attention: Stay at home mothers"
"To Part-Time workers who want to supplement their income"
"Bread winners, coming up short lately? We can help you"
What I have shown you here are the top Headline Writing Techniques, all of
which have worked for me in the past. I didn't give this word it's due
credit above. Do you know the all time, unbeatable, never-ending winner of
headline grabbers? I'll bet you do. Of course it's the Super Power Word
"FREE". This one Power Word is rightly known as the most powerful headline
word past, present and future.
About the Author
"Wild Bill" Montgomery
http://www.MakingProfit.com
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