Headlines that Work

Your headline is the hook that will get someone to read your blog post or article. Every freelance copywriter understands its importance, as should any writer out there. The problem is that when writers discover a headline that works it tends to be used to death. At the moment there are loads of ‘How to’ and list headlines (yes, they even feature on this blog) so now maybe the time has come to find a few different angles.

Brian Clark of Copyblogger has devised a useful selection of alternative headlines which will help your copywriting by injecting it with a new batch of attention-grabbing winners.

1. Who Else Wants [blank]?

Starting a headline this way is a classic strategy that suggests there is already a desire for the product or service. It may be becoming overused in internet marketing but it still works well for other subject matter:

• Who Else Wants a Great Blog Template Design?
• Who Else Wants a Higher Paying Job?
• Who Else Wants More Fun and Less Stress When on Vacation?

2. The Secret of [blank]

This is also used quite a lot but mainly because it works. Why do readers like this? Because you are sharing insider knowledge and translating it into a benefit for them.

• The Secret of Successful Podcasting
• The Secret of Protecting Your Assets in Litigation
• The Secret of Getting Your Home Loan Approved

3. Here is a Method That is Helping [blank] to [blank]

This one is simple. All you do is identify your target audience and the benefit you can provide them and fill in the blanks.

• Here is a Method That is Helping Homeowners Save Hundreds on Insurance
• Here is a Method That is Helping Children Learn to Read Sooner
• Here is a Method That is Helping Bloggers Write Better Post Titles

4. Little Known Ways to [blank]

This is a less common way of accomplishing the same thing as ‘The Secret of…’

• Little Known Ways to Save ib Your Heating Bill
• Little Known Ways to Lose Weight Quickly and Safely

5. Get Rid of [problem] Once and For All

This is a classic that identifies a problem or unfulfilled desire that the reader wants to remedy.

• Get Rid of Your Unproductive Work Habits Once and For All
• Get Rid of That Carpet Stain Once and For All

6. Here’s a Quick Way to [solve a problem]

Everyone loves a quick and easy way to solve a nagging problem.

• Here’s a Quick Way to Get Over a Cold
• Here’s a Quick Way to Potty Train Your Child
• Here’s a Quick Way to Backup Your Hard Drive

7. Now You Can Have [something desireable] [great circumstance]

This is the priceless ‘have your cake and eat’ it headline.

• Now You Can Quit Your Job and Make Even More Money
• Now You Can Own a Cool Mac and Still Run Windows

8. [Do something] like [world-class example]

Gatorade milked this one fully with the “Be Like Mike” campaign featuring Michael Jordan in the early 1990s.

• Speak Spanish Like a Diplomat
• Party Like Paris Hilton
• Blog Like an A-Lister

9. Have a [or] Build a [blank] You Can Be Proud Of

Appeal to your reader’s vanity, dissatisfaction or shame.

• Build a Body You Can Be Proud Of
• Have a Smile You Can Be Proud Of
• Build a Blog Network You Can Be Proud Of

10. What Everybody Ought to Know About [blank]

This one draws on your reader’s natural curiosity.

• What Everybody Ought to Know About ASP
• What Everybody Ought to Know About Adjustable Rate Mortgages
• What Everybody Ought to Know About Writing Great Headlines.