Headline Writing
Get a hold of today’s newspaper. Many of the headline stories will probably say Cold Blooded Murder, Sex Scandal, Corruption Charges Laid, Innocent Victims Sued …
This is because Headlines sell Newspapers to their targeted audience.
Your headline is the most important part of your message. As many as five times as many people read headlines as read the rest of the advertisement, article or letter. A change in your headline can increase your response by as much as twenty times!
The best headlines are those that tell the reader the largest BENEFIT they will get from using your product or service.
People do not want to “buy” cars. They want to “own” them. Have the thrill of driving them around. Take friends and family for drives.
Results oriented headlines work best. Whatever you want to sell, you should remember to be specific. Being specific in your headline increases your response.
Here is a list of the 10 most frequently used words used in the 100 most effective headlines.
You….31
Your…14
How….12
New….10
Who…..8
Money…6
Now…..4
People..4
Want….4
Why…..4
The most common words are You and Your. This is because headlines should be personal! The advertisement, promotion or letter should be aimed at the person reading it! You should never aim at the masses. Think that you area friend of the reader and you are sitting face to face with them and talking to them.
Six Essential Rules to keep in mind while writing headlines
1. Appeal to the self interest of the reader – and promise them a benefit.
2. Do not worry about the length of your headline
3. Put a piece of news into the headline
4. Don’t use headlines that are tricky, confusing or incomplete in their message
5. Try to use a headline that explains the articles content in advance.
6. Target your market! Your headline should appeal to a specific group of people, who will be most interested in your service or product.
Nine different types of headlines
1. The headline that offers a benefit
2. The headline that is personalized
3. The headline with a Testimonial
4. The headline with a guarantee
5. The headline with a discount sale
6. The headline with news
7. The how-to headline
8. The headline that offers a solution
9. The headline that asks a question
Some very effective words to use in your headline
Do you
Amazing
At Last
Bargains
Little-known Secrets
Facts
Discover
Inside Secrets Of
Announcing
Yes
Amazing Secrets
Which
Here
New How Much
This
Which Of
How To
You Free
Life
Breakthrough
Love
Hot
Only
The Truth About
Now
Sale
how Would
Advice To
100 of the Best Headlines ever Written
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Filed under: Beginner, General, Intermediate, Writing
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