4 Tips to Creating Catchy Headlines that Sell
You only have mere seconds to catch a prospect’s attention. One of the most powerful tools you have to accomplish this task is your headline. There are several keys to creating catchy headlines that are both compelling and selling. Below are a few tips to help you get the job done right…
1. Tap into Your Prospects’ Emotions
According to psychologists, our buying decisions are based first and foremost on our emotions. Use headlines which offer your readers a strong emotional benefit or reaction.
For example, 20 Steps that Will Make You a Business Genius taps into readers’ desires to feel smart and powerful.
Other emotions you can tap into are a desire to feel:
1. Attractive
2. Assertive
3. Confident
4. Energetic
5. Pampered
6. A sense of belonging
7. Wealthy
8. Proud
9. Respected
10. Safe
2. Make Your Words Active
To create catchy headlines that compel your readers, it’s important to use active language – language that draws action and commands attention.
For example, Stop Your Sugar Cravings Today With This Simple Step, is a fine headline; however, it doesn’t command action nor does it really tap into any emotions. On the other hand consider this headline: Conquer Your Sugar Cravings With This Simple Step. Conquer is an active and emotionally powerful word. Readers receive the benefit of feeling powerful and in control and it commands action. To conquer is to defeat…or to get rid of their sugar cravings once and for all!
3. Let Your Readers Know They’re Important
The word YOU is a very powerful word that immediately catches the personal attention of your reader. It let’s your readers feel as if you’re talking to them specifically and interested in solving their problems, issues and helping them achieve their desires. Instead of using I, Me or We in your headlines, use You. Using the headline example above compare the two options:
“Conquer Your Sugar Cravings With This Simple Step“.
“Conquer Sugar Cravings with Our System”
People want to know what’s in it for them and when they can assess that information in the headline, they’re going to be compelled to continue reading your copy and making a purchase.
Here are three more ideas for powerful headlines:
* Make a promise – Earn $150 a day
* Make it newsworthy – New program guarantees you’ll earn $150 a day.
* Ask a question – Do you want to ensure your financial future?
4. Use These Three Simple Steps to Write Catchy Headlines That Sell
So now that you have some ideas about what types of headlines sell, use these three simple steps to write powerful headlines.
Step One – Get to know your audience intimately. What are their hopes, dreams, desires, and problems? Understanding your audience will help you create an emotional and powerful headline directed specifically at your audience.
Step Two – Determine how your products or services are going to make your prospects’ lives better or solve their problems. For example if you sell fitness equipment and your audience struggles with feeling attractive then you can create a headline that highlights a specific benefit your fitness equipment offers to solve that problem.
Step Three – Write ten to twenty (yes, twenty or even more) possible headlines. Not only will this give you practice writing compelling headlines, it’ll help you hone in on that perfect headline. And if you think you have a few winners you can always test them for conversion rates to find out which headline is more effective.
Marketing and copywriting experts consider your headline to be the most import element of any effective marketing piece. Take the time to craft a compelling, and selling, headline and you’ll reap the benefits for years to come.
*Grab your own Swipe File for creating your own Hot Sales Letters.
