How long do you spend on headlines, article titles or ebook titles?

Discussion in 'Copywriting' started by jgjg, Mar 29, 2007.

  1. #1
    I usually use a thesaurus app I had developed to explore all the possible words.

    But I am wondering how long really good writers take to come up with headlines.

    I hear headlines are the #1 thing for salesletters.

    Also, I heard changing the title of a book/ebook (and nothing else!) can increase sales like 500% or more.

    Any thoughts?

    What is your process for getting the best copy?


    ----------------------------------------------
    Sensational, Profit Pulling Sales Copy
    For Your Website & Email Promotions
    http://www.SalesLetterKit.com
     
    jgjg, Mar 29, 2007 IP
  2. hst151975

    hst151975 Peon

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    #2
    I spend almost as much time coming up with a headline as I do crafting the body copy. The headline is that important!
     
    hst151975, Mar 29, 2007 IP
  3. jgjg

    jgjg Peon

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    #3
    so like 5 hours? or more?
     
    jgjg, Mar 30, 2007 IP
  4. Josiah

    Josiah Banned

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    #4
    Well ideally I just start writing the project and wait for the head to come to me...

    Otherwise I will just leave the head till last, I would like to say I spend 50% of the time coming up with the headline because it is so important but I don't...

    I can usually find a good headline through swiping and I would reccomend swiping to anyone..

    Josiah
     
    Josiah, Mar 30, 2007 IP
  5. Josiah

    Josiah Banned

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    #5
    Btw jgjg is that your copy for the youtube traffic site because if it is you should be happy...

    Gary Halbert said your copy was great in one of his letters lately...

    Josiah
     
    Josiah, Mar 30, 2007 IP
  6. latoya

    latoya Active Member

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    #6
    Probably a few minutes. I may come up with a working title and then come up with something else during or after writing the piece, but it never takes a very long time.
     
    latoya, Mar 31, 2007 IP
  7. skdigi

    skdigi Peon

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    #7
    Browse the featured authors in ezinearticles.com,etc and see what they are doing with their titles...
     
    skdigi, Apr 1, 2007 IP
  8. Your Content

    Your Content Banned

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    #8
    Same here, unless my client wants something catchy, that takes me longer.
     
    Your Content, Apr 1, 2007 IP
  9. gr8liverpoolfan

    gr8liverpoolfan Notable Member

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    #9
    The headline is important, because the visitors see it first. Takes a fair bit of time, but not too much
     
    gr8liverpoolfan, Apr 2, 2007 IP
  10. NICKY Nitro

    NICKY Nitro Well-Known Member

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    #10
    Yes, I do fully support. The headline is that important. It has to be eye-catching, memorable and an enough attractive allure to the reader. That is why I normally spend much time on the header too :)
     
    NICKY Nitro, Apr 2, 2007 IP
  11. marketjunction

    marketjunction Well-Known Member

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    #11
    Headlines serve a few major functions. One word can make or break a headline--and an article, sales letter, etc.
     
    marketjunction, Apr 2, 2007 IP
  12. infoworld

    infoworld Peon

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    #12
    I think it was Michel Fortin who said to write 30 headlines before deciding on the best one. Split-test your headlines to see which one pulls better.
     
    infoworld, Apr 2, 2007 IP
  13. Pat Gael

    Pat Gael Banned

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    #13
    I don't believe in time frames to develop headlines.

    It is more likely associated to your creativity, skills and knowledge :rolleyes:
     
    Pat Gael, Apr 2, 2007 IP
  14. Steven Schwartzman

    Steven Schwartzman Guest

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    #14
    I definitely spend the most time working on the headline.

    In my experience, it is the most important part of a salesletter. You only have a few seconds to convice a prospect to read and stay on your page, and the first thing they see is your big, bold, headline.

    It's gotta be great...or you're stuck.
     
    Steven Schwartzman, Apr 6, 2007 IP
  15. Danny Bourne

    Danny Bourne Peon

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    #15
    Really top notch writers can come up with the strap in seconds. I've worked in the press for over 20 years and I feel that I'm struggling if it takes me 5 minutes to come up with a title.
     
    Danny Bourne, Apr 8, 2007 IP
  16. c4cyber

    c4cyber Well-Known Member

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    #16
    Not much. I don't try to be perfect. It should convey the message about the article atleast.
     
    c4cyber, Apr 21, 2011 IP
  17. MagicMonkey

    MagicMonkey Member

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    #17
    Depends entirely on how the copy is being used. But generally the title/headline etc will be the single determining factor in whether someone reads morre or is intrigued. If you're writing an ebook or salespage you'd be a fool not to carefully craft it. Sometimes this can onlyy take 5 minutes if inspiration strikes sometimes days.
     
    MagicMonkey, Apr 25, 2011 IP
  18. jameshobbs

    jameshobbs Peon

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    #18
    hard to say, because like others here, I think of a working title, create the product, look at others in the same market, and often think of different titles, at times I have used two different titles on the same product, or book, just because I found both good, and of course I test them, and also sound out others to get some feedback - you could also ask the same question for domain names, if you needed a number, I can say I have sat down for 45 minutes to come up with a title, or just had it come to me driving around, came home and renamed the product. Hope this helps.
     
    jameshobbs, Apr 25, 2011 IP
  19. ParentingCoachLisa

    ParentingCoachLisa Peon

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    #19
    I spend some ample time for the headlines. It must be "catchy". If my employer wants to find more interesting headlines then I am doing an extra mile to make it.
     
    ParentingCoachLisa, Apr 25, 2011 IP
  20. jcoutts1

    jcoutts1 Peon

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    #20
    Gary Halbert was one of the greatest copywriters and he thought headlines were important. In fact, he thought the headline deserved the most attention and time spent when writing a piece:

    "How important are headlines? I'm glad you asked. Some pundits say the headline accounts for 80% of the success of the ad. I, myself, have re-headlined ads and increased their pull by 475%. I have a client who pays me $195,000 per year to write headlines. Headlines are where I spend more creative effort than any other aspect of my work.

    Good headlines are crucial.

    1. Put news in your headline.

    2. Promise a benefit in your headline.

    3. Do both of the above in the same headline."


    His ideas worked for him and they will work for anyone. Spend 80% of your time on the headline if the piece is important enough to you.

    John.
     
    jcoutts1, Apr 26, 2011 IP