Powerful Headlines That Sell

You have mere 3 – 10 seconds to capture a prospect’s attention.  The single most powerful tool you have to capture their attention is your headline, (or title of your post, sales page, or article).

There are several keys to writing a compelling and selling headline.  Here are a few tips to help you write powerful headlines.

#1  Tap into Your Prospects’ Emotions

According to psychologists, buying decisions are based, first and foremost, on emotion. Create your headlines so they include a strong emotional benefit (of what you are selling) and you will have written a compelling headline.

Here are some examples of emotional headlines:

“The 20-Minute Step that Will Make You a Business Genius” taps into your readers’ desire to feel smart and powerful.

You can also tap into other emotions based on their desire to feel any of the following:

1. Attractive
2. Sexy
3. Assertive
4. Confident
5. Energetic
6. Pampered
7. A sense of belonging
8. In control of their own destiny
9. Wealthy
10. Proud
11. Respected
12. Safe

#2 Make it Active

It’s important to use active language – language that shows movement and that commands attention.

“Stop Your Sugar Cravings Today With This One Simple Step,” is a good headline and is interesting, but it doesn’t command action, and it doesn’t tap into any emotions.  However, “Conquer Your Sugar Cravings With This Simple Step”, is an active headline because ‘conquer’ is an active and emotionally powerful word.  Readers get the benefit of feeling powerful and in control, and it commands action.

#3 Let Your Reader Know They’re Important

The word YOU is a very powerful word. Your readers feel as if you’re talking to them specifically, and that you are  interested in solving their problems, issues, and/or helping them achieve their desires.

Instead of using “I”, “me”, or “we” in your headlines, use “you”.  Take another look at the headline example above and compare the two options, “Stop Your Sugar Cravings Today With This One Simple Step and “Conquer Your Sugar Cravings with thie Simple Step”.

People want to know what’s in it for them. The difference between “Stop Your Sugar Cravings” and “Conquer Your Sugar Cravings” is like night and day. Conquer is a much more powerful, action oriented word, and using the word “you” creates a compelling reason to continue reading (and make the purchase).

3 other examples of powerful headlines:

Make a promise –   Earn $1000 a day
Make it newsworthy –   New program guarantees you’ll earn $1000 a day.
Ask a question –   Do you want to ensure your financial future?

3 Simple Steps to Writing Headlines That Sell

You now have some examples of headlines that sell, but you are probably wondering how you write those powerful headlines from scratch. The following should help you a lot.

1. Get to know your audience intimately. What are their hopes, dreams, desires, and problems?  Understanding your audience will help you create an emotional and powerful headline directed specifically at your audience.
2. Determine how your products or services are going to make your prospects’ lives better or how you’ll solve their problems.  For example, if you sell fitness equipment and your audience struggles with feeling attractive, then you can create a headline that highlights how your equipment will get them into shape so they feel attractive. This is the main benefit that your equipment can offer to solve that problem for someone who is not feeling attractive.
3. Write 10 to 20 headlines. Not only will this give you practice writing compelling headlines, it’ll help you hone in on the perfect headline.  And if you think you have a few winners you can always test them for conversion rates to find out which headline is more effective.

Marketing and copywriting experts consider headlines to be the most important element of any effective marketing piece.  Take the time to craft a compelling, and selling, headline and you’ll reap the benefits for years to come.