Being around the online marketing realm for more than 5 years now, I’ve seen my fair share of good and bad headlines.
The Financial Advisors who blog spend a lot of time writing awesome content, but how many of you spend time creating powerful & engaging headlines? I’m willing to bet that you are not spending enough time on this.
Did you know that 80% of visitors to your blow will read your headline, but only 20% will read the rest of your post? By creating an engaging headline, you will increase the number of people that actually read the most important part of your blog, which is your posts.
So by now you’re probably asking yourself ” How can I create headlines that engage my users, and create the desire to read my entire post (that I spent a lot of time writing) ? ”
Lucky for you I came across this badass infographic that will teach you how to create good headlines.
I hope you enjoy it. Let me know what you think in the comment section below.
So now that we are in the mood for creating great headlines, here’s 15 Proven Headline Formulas that you can steal for you next blog post, facebook ad, linkedin ad, or landing page, courtesy of crazy egg.
1 – X Lessons I Learned from ____________________
Why it works: The hidden truth about copywriting is that no one wants to be first. Secretly, they might all think they do, but when it comes time to walk the walk, no one wants to try and fail, or try and look foolish. If you can demonstrate several lessons you learned as a result of following someone or something, it gives readers a virtual roadmap to follow, making them more at ease and receptive to your suggestions.
2 – The Ultimate Guide to ______________________
Why it works: This is a classic favorite that converts well time and time again because of the sheer amount of knowledge the headline promises. Make sure you deliver. If you’re going to write the ultimate guide to something, whether it’s Facebook, ridding your garden of aphids or buying a coffee maker, you’d better pull out all the stops and squeeze every ounce of know-how out of this post. In the past, these have been the posts that propelled average bloggers into the A-list spotlight. When done right, they can make your traffic soar.
3 – How to Survive Your First __________________
Why it works: Here again, we’re exploring the “no one wants to be first” fear that holds many people back from taking action. Fear is a powerful motivator. Rather than exploring the lessons you learned, this version can help readers understand what to expect when they follow your advice. This type of headline is particularly effective on sites that deal with challenging roles we face such as caring for pets, maintaining our health, or being a mother.
4 – What (Group or Celebrity) Can Teach You About (Industry)
Why it works: Sage advice can come from the unlikeliest of places. What advice might the late Steve Jobs have about interior design, or what could zombies reveal about irresistible marketing ideas? Match two unusual markets and you’re sure to boost clicks for the sheer curiosity of it all. Your readers will be compelled to read to find out how you are going to connect these two unlikely subjects. It’s interesting.
5 – Behind the Scenes of a ____________________
Why it works: What could you reveal about a place, occupation, or showcase that others could learn from? People are always fascinated by what goes on behind the scenes in some of their favorite niches, hobbies and websites. If you can show what “a day in the life” is like, it may inspire them to take action after reading. The headline implies that you will get a unique view of something you are interested in. The promise is that this will be something you haven’t seen or heard before.
6 – 9 Out of 10 (Group Members) Can’t/Don’t ____________. Are You One of Them?
Why it works: Numbers are powerful attention-getters, but only if written as numerals instead of words. There is something mystical about numerals. Our brains take longer to visually process words like “seven” and “ten” than 7 and 10, so this succinct headline gets right to the heart by making it as easy as possible for us to read and understand it. For example, “9 out of 10 Forex Traders Don’t Make a Dime, Are You One of Them?” speaks to the people who are struggling, and then follows up with realistic steps they can follow to be more than just a statistic.
7 – Make Your First ($) Sale in Just (X) Hours (Watch Below to See How!)
Why it works: This headline is attractive to just about any buying market, especially if you can follow it up with live video-proof that shows the process being done. With faster connections and always-on connectivity to the web through smart phones and the like, video blogging and marketing are increasingly being embraced by mainstream audiences. Use this to your advantage by demonstrating how anyone can follow your steps and earn their first sale.
8 – Are You Still Wasting Money on ______________ (Without Anything to Show for It?)
Why it works: This flexible headline can fit a variety of industries, particularly if you’re showing your audience how to overcome a common problem such as losing weight, making money online, car repairs, health and beauty and so forth. The headline implies a serious threat, wasting money.
9 – People Regularly Pay Me ($) for This Information – But You Can Have it FREE:
Why it works: Everyone loves free – particularly when they feel they’re getting a better deal than someone who paid for it. Conference and webinar speakers repackage their information constantly and use it as a giveaway for email list building. What kind of insider information are people willing to pay you for, and how can you turn that into a subscriber magnet?
10 – How to Make ($) With Your ________________, Step-by-Step.
Why it works: You’ll see this headline at work from the moment you browse the business aisle at your local bookstore. Titles like “How to Make Millions with Your Product Idea” or “How to Make a Full-Time Income with Your Computer” still continue to sell strong because of their simple promise and hand-holding guidance. The promise is similar to the “Ultimate Guide” headline above. It implies a thorough guide to getting the benefit.
11 – How to Permanently Stop Your ________________, Even if You’ve Tried Everything!
Why it works: Not just for the health industry, you can leverage this headline to fit anything from computer crashes to productivity issues. The truth is, everyone wants a lasting fix to a common problem, and if you can deliver it, you’ll see your conversions hit the ceiling. This headline speaks to those that are frustrated with the solutions they have tried. The headline promises something new, make sure you deliver in the body.
12 – Is (Subject) a Scam? Find Out If You’re Putting Your ___________ at Risk
Why it works: No one wants to be associated with a scam, and on the web, forewarned is forearmed. Some well-known internet marketers have found themselves or their products smeared by headlines like this, but if you can apply this headline to a particular type of product or industry (rather than a person), you’ll have a much easier time explaining the pros and cons to your audience rather than having to defend yourself from seething comments by the product creator!
13 – How Your ______________ is Ripping You Off – And What to Do About It Right Now.
Why it works: This headline combines instigation with investigation and has been the source material for many a TV exploratory documentary. If you’re able to spy a gaping hole in an industry or type of service provider, letting others know can prevent them from making the same money-wasting mistakes.
14 – Recently Downsized/Fired (Profession) Reveals the Dirty Little Secrets to __________.
Why it works: Everybody loves a good revenge story – particularly if it gives them some insider benefits they may not have realized before. One of the most provoking psychological tactics behind this type of headline is the question, “What do they know that I don’t?”
15 – X Little Known Factors That Could Affect Your _______________.
Why it works: This is one of my personal favorites, but in order to make it truly work well for you, you’ll have to explore the real “little-known” areas that other articles or sales letters don’t cover. That means digging a little deeper and doing more research, but the results can be well worth it.
