I'm working on a self improvement book and in the process of split testing in the next few weeks. But what word works best for you personally? Ways or Techniques and why? For example ... 5 Proven Ways To ... or 5 Proven Techniques To ... Thanks for your Feedback!
Personally, "Techniques" works better, as being technically minded I tend to use techniques myself, I feel "ways" is too amaturish sounding; but don't just take my word - wait and see what others say. The best of luck to you Niche Man
Use 'Proven techniques'. The techinques part will work for technically minded people and proven will work for layman. So you won't be missing much.
I think you have to consider the product and the intended audience... 5 Proven Techniques To Score Higher on the SAT sounds better than 5 Proven Ways To Score Higher on the SAT. Conversely, 5 Techniques to Lose 20 Pounds gets a bit long-winded and doesn't seem quite right as opposed to 5 Ways to Lose 20 Pounds. Keeping with those examples...5 Quick Tips That Will Increase Your SAT Scores would work better, after all, every student wants simple things they can do rather than spending hours in a classroom taking SAT prep courses, going through definition lists or going through math drills. And 5 Secrets to Losing 20 Pounds in 5 Days represents the idea that so many of us wish for that there must be some secret out there that makes losing weight both quick and easy. Personally, I try to avoid both "techniques" (a most academic sounding word) and "ways" (a bit too simplistic in many cases) in favor of other, more enticing words. As to what a more enticing word might be in your case would depend upon what you are selling and who you are selling it to.
I'm with YMC on that one. Depends what your product or service is, and your intended audience. Generally, I find 'techniques' are a good descriptor when talking to a business audience, and 'ways' being a better choice when talking to consumers
Clearly, I would decide first about my reader, (based on who my market is), and decide which of the two to use. techniques for more educated, ways for less educated, (not putting anyone down, just saying its about the reader, not what sounds better to us).