Skip to main content

Writing Successful Headlines

Whether it be an email subject line or a blog or social media headline, or a headline for a letter or a postcard, laying the foundation for a strong headline is essential.

It’s not unusual for a seasoned copywriter to spend 30-50% of their writing time on the headline alone…and coming up with twenty or more headlines before discovering the one that works!

With that in mind, here are four things a headline must successfully do to pull the reader in:

  1. Get the reader’s attention: There are many ways to get the attention of your readers, but regardless of the tactic you use, make sure your headline appeals to the reader’s self-interest. Before you work on your headline, ask yourself, “What’s in it for the reader/prospect?”
  2. Select the audience: You can’t be everything to everybody. One of the biggest mistakes writers make in writing a headline is to direct it to “everyone.” If you try to target everyone, chances are slim that your real audience will even notice the headline. You are selling to “someone”…a specific prospect– one who’s likely to have an interest in your security services. That’s who you want to grab with your headline.
  3. Deliver a complete message: Your headline should be able to stand on its own. If the reader has to read the body copy for the headline to make sense, then the headline is a failure. The majority of readers will only read the headline. If it captures their attention, they move forward. If they don’t understand it because it doesn’t deliver a message, then you’ve lost a reader.
  4. Draw the reader into the copy: Pull the reader into the copy by once again focusing on self-interest. After all, the idea behind the headline is to sell the idea of reading forward to discover a benefit. Offer the prospect hope, give them a reason to be curious, or propose a solution to a nagging problem. Spell out a benefit, use words and phrases that pique interest and set the stage for things to come.

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Engaging Existing Customers Through Social Events

In today’s competitive market, businesses are constantly seeking innovative ways to strengthen relationships with their existing customers. One effective strategy is to host social events that foster a sense of community and create positive associations with the brand. Take a look at these various ideas for social events that can enhance customer loyalty and engagement. The Importance of Social Events Social events serve multiple purposes for businesses. They not only provide a platform for customers to connect with the brand but also allow them to interact with each other. This interaction can lead to stronger customer relationships and increased brand loyalty. By creating memorable experiences, businesses can ensure that customers feel valued and appreciated. Creative Social Event Ideas Here are some engaging social event ideas that businesses can implement to delight their existing customers: Book Club in a Bookstore Hosting a book club in a bookstore after hours can be a fantastic ...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Impact of Buyer Personas

Imagine you’re building a house. You wouldn’t just start hammering away without a blueprint, right? The same goes for building your website. You need to know who you’re building it for. That’s where buyer personas come in. Who is Your Ideal Customer? A buyer persona is like a fictional profile of your ideal customer. It’s not just a random person you pulled out of thin air; it’s based on real data and research about your existing and potential customers. Think of it as a story about your typical customer. What’s their name? What do they do for a living? What are their greatest challenges? What are their hobbies? What are their goals? Why Should You Care? Knowing your buyer persona helps you make smarter decisions about your website: Targeted Content: You can create content that directly addresses their needs and interests. Effective Messaging: You can use language they understand and connect with. Better Design: You can design your website to be intuitive and easy for them to use. Opti...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Secret to a Smooth Ride on Your Model Railroad

Let’s talk about something that’s often overlooked but absolutely crucial to the smooth operation of our miniature worlds: track joints. Think of it this way: your track is the highway for your trains. If the road is bumpy, full of potholes, or has uneven lanes, your cars are going to have a rough ride, right? The same goes for your model trains! Bad track joints are the number one culprit for derailments. It’s like having a giant speed bump on your track, sending your train flying off the rails. And trust me, it’s way less fun than it sounds! So, how do we avoid this train wreck? It all comes down to attention to detail and a bit of TLC for our tracks. Here’s the secret sauce to smooth-running tracks: Inspect, inspect, inspect! Make it a habit to visually and manually check every track joint as you lay it down. Run your finger along each joint to feel for any bumps or gaps. Keep it tight! Minimize the space between the rails, and shim any unevenness to ensure a smooth transition. Sold...
Post a Comment
Read more