Hi, Just wondering... the headline is one of the most important parts of your copy. How do you go about writing your headlines? Do you swipe? Do you follow a formula? Do you brainstorm page upon page until you discover the winning combination? Or do you use the best keywords to write your headlines? Thanks, Dot
*shrugs shoulers* I put myself in the readers' shoes. What is it about an opening line that would draw ME in even more so? If a salesperson were to walk up to me with an opener, what would I like to hear that would not turn me off? I also pay REAL close attention to ads and commercials. I saw one billboard along the highway that had nothing to do with one of my sales pages, but it gave me an idea! I quickly jotted down the idea. Don't ever try to write an idea down while doing 70 MPH. ... Leave that to the professionals. I also do a lot of brainstorming when I am out walking. I'll take a pad and pen with me. I look like a Goober, but to the hell with it. It seems that more ideas come to me when I am away from my desk. Only then do the ideas come flowing. Go figure! If you aren't already, you may try that. You can look like a Goober also. Or, Gooberress. ~ I don't do keywords. I do sell words. They are more important. I got your mail, Dot. I am not sure if I did it right, though. I'm lucky if I can turn my 'puter on every day without blowing something up. Yeah, I'm one of those. I can change light bulbs, though.
I don't use special tricks or some kind of a formula.. just lay down my hands from the keyboard for several minutes and come up with a headline. Simple.
I just try to imagine what will best sum up the article and make people want to read it. Yeah, no, that's it.
well, i believe you have to think like a reader and come up with something that will grab their attention, making them want to read through.
the headline is the first things peoples see before read for an entire article, this mean when the headline is not impressive for a reader than they will not read the article it self, but I just wonder about this wise "dont judge the book by it's cover" can we also change this with "dont judge the article by it's headline" so what do you thinks? not all author making an article just for targeting a keywords.
One way to figure out what works and what doesn't is using your newsletter. You do A/B split testing, which most providers can do, and check which newsletter subject gets opened more. That can then become a headline for a really good post.
I don't always do this, but I'll often leave the headline until last if it doesn't come to me straight away (especially with news releases). Most of the time you'll write something within the copy that sounds like a headline and you can pluck it out, or it'll inspire you at the very least. If that fails I'll write down the keywords and search for them in Google news. I never copy headlines, but looking through G News usually gets my head in the right place or gives me inspiration. Brainstorming is always a good idea, no matter how haphazardly you go about it. Good luck!
I'm still experimenting but so far have always tried to use one keyword. I'll often write the "same" title several times & then go away for an hour before deciding which one to use - if a friend is near I'll ask their opinion too!
I see nothing wrong with taking a glance at anothers' story, as long as you don't bluntly copy their headline, your good to go. I actually have a couple of newspapers on my desk, just to look back on, or you can do a google search for "News Headlines"
Use keywords at the beginning, there was a title generating sw that gave the best possible output, but I forget the name
Come up with a radical/arguable/intriguing one, which talks to the reader "personally"!] And don't forget title case
It's exactly the same with me. Sometimes I also write every association that comes to my mind with the subject of the text and I try to find sayings and idioms connected to it, however I try not to overuse them because it contributes to many similar cliche headlines. Luckily best ideas come suddenly without warning Unfortunately, not always does it happen.
If you want to told like your are instructed start with "the 7 best ways" or "how to" NOW IF YOU WANT GOOGLE TO NOTICE you can get up to 20 rankings in #1 to #4 slots, by using a perfectly legal method of using keyword combos. First pick a long keywords phrase 3 to 5 words long. say - Great Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe. You Headline should always be 70-99 characters. The your first two line are critical. Headline and first sentence always start with your phrase! 1. Headline: Great Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe: Greatest of Recipes For Chicks Gone Wild ------part tabloid and rest for Google SEO-- use word variations of key words---- 2. Content: Greatest chicken noodle soup recipes all require fresh chicken's meat. This recipe makes guests go wild declaring it is the greatest. The Amish noodles require a little prep time, but make for a greater taste. Here's how it is done. WRITE 500 words of content with last 2 sentence rehashing the title words. Submit article to Ezine articles. Now look up on google - great chicken noodle soup recipes. According to my check you will get #1 for great chicken noodle soup recipe, and probably in 5 to 10 for chicken noodle soup recipe and maybe chicken noodle recipe and great chicken noodle soup. THERE YOU GO, YOU OWE ME A COFFEE Professional Copywriter and Ghost Writer
Thanks! Many of us owe you a coffee now )) I usually write about 5 headline versions (using keywords) and then choose the best. Some of my customers ask me as well to provide them with several versions of headlines.
I do a separate headline brainstorming session after the first version of the salesletter (before my 4-7 rounds of editing). I write out 100 headlines which gives me multiple great headlines that I can use throughout the salesletter. I could care less about keywords. My clients pay me to write copy that sells their product and that's the bottom line. Hope that helps, Mike
Hi Mike, the Emailer. Let me start by saying I agree with your method completely. I am what many would consider to be very wealthy made possible by my creative abilities. Despite becoming permanently disabled in my prime, I feel internally wealthy. Doctors and I know my health is rapidly failing. However, to me each day I treat as a bonus day. I enjoy jeans and a t-shirt and feel I am no better than anyone else with one exception. That is to not hold back from others tips, tricks, and shortcuts I may have acquired. The person that seeks advice shows great determination. You, are also on the rewarding journey because you (1) will to respond to help, (2) stand up for your beliefs. and (3) know learning is a life long experience. Therefore I sincerely compliment you as being a one of the rare leaders. The world is overcrowded with sheep and people who idolize or envy others. Creative people should never be satisfied to stagnate. I constantly learn off of others. Taking knowledge to the grave is worthless, let the receiver evaluate your input. With determination, you will achieve all your goals. Just always remain open to change and alternatives. There is not a certain destination point of success. The journey you are on is a challenging path that never ends until your breathing stops. Enjoy the rewards, you deserve them. Be willing to keep giving back knowledge. But being a leader requires being prepared for attacks of the untrained wolves fighting against your accomplishments. To me, they motivate. Just by a few sentences telltale tracks become easy to spot. So when you receive compliments like this one, value them. I may be a pro, but never a master. In other areas I would be a complete failure. When I can achieve an acknowledgment of assisting a person that is an inner reward money can never buy. I never received a regular paycheck. Every day and week was determined by the belief in myself. Do not lose your beliefs and values. If you have a true gift and found your path, I would not bet on you, as there is no need to do so. I am not preaching, just remarking you are on the rewarding road less taken. Being a writer, marketer, and well paid advice giver I will say that headlines statements depend upon the situation. An article that requires maximum search engine effect requires a certain strategy. In a business situation, the critical importance of the headline holds even more value, therefore your headline is adjusted differently. Thanks.
I use a "swipe file" to brainstorm ideas. I'm on everybody's list, and when a headline captures my attention I add it to my file. When I come across a website with a headline that just makes me want to buy - I add it to my file. I also make note of those sites that I have purchased from to see what triggered me to buy in the first place...
Hi Dyadvisor, Thank you for your kinds words -- they mean a lot to me. I learned a long time ago that helping others isn't just great karma. It's also a great way to do business... just like those who helped me when I was a new marketer... new business owner... new copywriter... and countless other occupations I've enjoyed to date. I've gain many business contacts and clients simply by being helpful and professional in forums like this one. Sounds like we've had some similar life experiences to date... feel free to drop me an email or PM sometime and we can talk privately some more. re: Headlines and situations. I completely agree. You do need to rule out certain headline types depending on the type of marketing piece and the writing style used in that marketing piece. Something like an article for submission definitely should have a target market specific keyword. Other marketing like an email need a strong headline as a subject headline to get the email opened. The book that I found most helpful on headline writing was John Caples' Tested Advertising Methods. It's the only copywriting book that I've ever read more than once (to date) and for $10-15 through Amazon.com it's an absolute steal IMHO. Take care, Mike