The 7 best headlines ever (and why they worked)

Discussion in 'Copywriting' started by echotips, Aug 7, 2012.

  1. #1
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    Most people browse don’t read most articles or ads.

    Instead they browse through - until one catches their eye.

    So you need to make sure that it's YOUR headline that catches their eye.

    Here’s 6 awesome headlines to give you inspiration!

    1. How to Make Friends and Influence People

    Okay, this is the name of a book - but it’s still an awesome headline (which was originally used in direct marketing).

    Why is it so good?

    Because it offers two, powerful interlinked benefits:
    • Make Friends
    • Influence People
    And who doesn’t want to make friends?

    2. They Laughed When I Sat Down At the Piano But When I Started to Play! --

    Advertising legend John Caples considered this his best headline ever, and marketing resource Adage considered it :“arguably, the 20th century’s most successful” mail order headline.

    Here’s why it worked:
    • It has a story: Stories can draw people in - and make you want to know more. As with all good articles, the headline starts in the most interesting part of the story, rather than at the story. The product (a piano course) fits effortlessly into the story.
    • It inspires empathy: We empathise with the player - and share in their join when the laughter stops.
    • Testimonial: We are far more likely to believe in a product when someone else says they have benefitted from it.
    3. THE SECRET OF MAKING PEOPLE LIKE YOU

    Deep down, don’t you feel that the reason you are not doing better at (insert any topic here) is because they have a secret they are not letting you in on?

    4. HOW I IMPROVED MY MEMORY IN ONE EVENING

    Which is more attractive:

    1. To improve your memory?

    or

    2. To improve your memory in one evening?

    2, of course. After all, getting a benefit is great but getting it quickly and easily is even better.

    5. 7 Reasons Why List Posts Will Always Work

    One of CopyBloggers super posts.

    As they say in the post, lists give a specific promise, and build up the value of the article by promising not one solution but many.

    (If you read 50 Ways to Make Money, chances are you think that at least some will be useful, even if not all of them will be!)

    6. Get Hundreds of Links to Your Next Blog Post, Guaranteed

    I love this ViperChill headline! If you are a blogger, how can you resist a guarantee of hundreds of links.

    Why it worked? Because of the promise (hundreds of links) and the guarantee.

    7. Corn Gone In 5 Days or Money Back

    Simple - but effective.

    The headline may be short but it does several things:
    • Identifies the audience: People who have corns.
    • Includes a promise: Corn gone!
    • Promises a quick result: In 5 days.
    • Includes a guarantee which completely removes risk: Or your money back!
    If you were suffering from corns could you resist such a great offer?

    How to write your own irresistible headlines

    Check out more headlines - and how to write them - with this free guide to writing headlines: The ultimate guide to writing headlines that sell products and make money
     
    echotips, Aug 7, 2012 IP
  2. TedPeterson

    TedPeterson Peon

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    #2
    Great List! Good headlines always start with the hot button (emotion) and a great wanted or perceived benefit! I also like your break down of why these headlines work!
     
    TedPeterson, Aug 8, 2012 IP
  3. TalentedWriters

    TalentedWriters Banned

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    #3
    Interesting and a great share there friend!!
     
    TalentedWriters, Aug 9, 2012 IP
  4. Xeroxis

    Xeroxis Peon

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    #4
    very nice thread thanks!
     
    Xeroxis, Aug 10, 2012 IP
  5. echotips

    echotips Peon

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    #5
    That's a good way to put it, Ted! Glad you liked the post.
     
    echotips, Aug 11, 2012 IP
  6. BinaryQwest

    BinaryQwest Peon

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    #6
    great post! A good headline pulls at emotions and also has a bit or intrigue. I think the "Warning" headlines do well too.
     
    BinaryQwest, Aug 12, 2012 IP
  7. Johntrayhorn

    Johntrayhorn Peon

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    #7
    Thanks for sharing this great information. The headline is THE most important part of any copywriting and one which you must get just right. This article gives a good grounding for anyone considering writing their own copy. Another tool that you should all check out is the Emotional Marketing Value Headline Analyzer - Google that to find This free tool that will analyze your headline to determine the Emotional Marketing Value (EMV) score. As you know, reaching your customers in an deep and emotional way is a key to successful copywriting, and your headline is unquestionably the most important piece of copy you use to reach prospects.
     
    Johntrayhorn, Aug 14, 2012 IP