Writing A Headline That Sells (Includes My Swipe File)

Writing a headline that sells will not only bring attract valuable traffic, but it will make you an expert in your field….and make you money.

Isn’t it amazing how a headline can grab your attention?

Do you always open emails with headlines that have an emotional aspect to them? Just about everyone does!

You have mere seconds to capture a prospect’s attention.  One of the single most powerful tools you have to accomplish this task is your headline, but you need to know how to write a headline to get the click.

There are several main keys to a compelling (and selling) headline and here are some powerful tips to help you get the job done.

Tap into Your Prospects’ Emotions

According to psychologists, our buying decisions are based first and foremost on….you guessed it, our emotions.

>Writing a headline that’s compelling offers your readers a strong emotional benefit or reaction.

Here are some examples:

The 20-Minute Step that Will Make You a Business Genius!

This taps into readers’ desires to feel smart and powerful.

How To Lose Those Few Extra Pounds To Fit Into Your Favorite Dress!

This taps into your readers’ desire to look and feel their best

>Other emotions you can tap into are a desire to feel:

Make it Active

To compel, it’s important to use active words – language that shows movement, and commands attention.

Example:

“Stop Your Sugar Cravings Today With This One Simple Step!”
It’s a good headline, but it doesn’t command action!

But if we tweak it and change one word:

“Conquer Your Sugar Cravings With This Simple Step!” 

Conquer is an active and emotionally-charged word.  Readers receive the benefit of feeling powerful and in control because it commands action.

Let Your Reader Know They’re Important

The word YOU is a very powerful word!

It allows your reader’s feel as if you’re talking to them, and only to them. This is so important, and so very powerful.

It shows your reader that you are specifically interested in solving their problems and issues and you want to help them achieve their desires.  Are you seeing the power in writing headlines that sell?

So, instead of “I”, “Me” or “We” in your headlines, use “You”.

Using the headline example above, let’s insert the word “You”:

“How You Can Conquer Your Sugar Cravings With This Simple Step”

“How You Can Stop Your Sugar Cravings Today In One Simple Step”

How You Can Lose Those Few Extra Pounds To Fit Into Your Favorite Dress!

See what I mean?

Also, people want to know what’s in it for them and if you make your headlines compelling, they’re going to want to continue reading your copy.

Here are three more ideas for powerful headlines:

Make a promise -

“Earn $1,000 a day”

Make it newsworthy -

“New program guarantees you’ll earn $1,000 a day”

Ask a question -

“Do you want to ensure your financial future?”

Three Simple Steps to Write Headlines That Sell

So now you have some ideas about what types of headlines sell, how do you begin to write them?

Step One -

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.

Step Two -

Determine how your products or services are going to make your prospects’ lives better or solve their problems.

For example, if you sell fitness equipment and your audience struggles with weight loss, then you can create a headline that highlights a specific benefit your fitness equipment offers to solve their weight loss problem.

Step Three -

Write ten to twenty possible headlines.  Not only is it great practice, but it will help you create a powerful swipe file for future ideas.  It’ll help you hone in on perfect, eye-catching headlines.