3 Tips on Writing Better Headlines.

Over the years I’ve written a lot about writing
headlines.

I even teach a course on the subject.

But of all the tips I share, I have three favorites.

In fact, these are the tips – or filters – I use myself
when trying to improve my own headlines.

Let’s get started…

Headline Tip #1: Never tell the whole story in the
headline

This is a classic mistake, whether you’re writing a sales
page or a content page, like a blog post or article.

There’s a temptation to give away too much in the
headline.

Here’s an example of saying too much.

“The best country to raise your child is Denmark.”

After reading that headline, I no longer need to read the
rest of the page. You’ve told me the topic, and you’ve given me the answer.

Job done!

The version of that headline I actually found online was
this:

“The best country to raise your child is…”

The topic is revealed, but not the answer. Much better.
Now, if I’m interested in the topic, I’ll keep reading or click through.

Now I’m engaged, intrigued even.

Headline Tip #2: Include a promise of some kind

I like to include some kind of feel-good promise into my
headlines.

Why? Because people like to feel good.

People go to enormous lengths to feel good.

People buy stuff, and services, in search of feeling
good!

That’s why I try to write a positive promise into most of
my headlines.

Like…

“Eat 7 bananas a day and live longer.”

Nice promise there. People want to live longer.

BTW – that line is totally made up. I’m pretty sure
eating 7 bananas a day WON’T make you live longer!

Headline Tip#3: Frontload your promise

My bananas headline is OK. It has a promise. But the real
promise, the most powerful one, is at the end of the line.

Let’s bring it to the front, where it belongs…

“Live longer by eating 7 bananas a day.”

An easy switch, but an important one.

Why? Because not everyone reads the entire headline.

Sad, but true.

So you need to frontload the most powerful benefit, expressing
it within the first few words of the line.

Hang on… I think we just ignored tip number one…

We just told the whole story…

“Live longer by eating 7 bananas a day.”

Ouch.

But don’t worry. This how I write and edit my own headlines.
Back and forth, until I get it right.

Now let’s make a quick tweak, so the reader has a reason
to dive in and read the full page.

 “Live longer by
eating 7 servings of this one fruit, every day.”

Hmmm. Mystery. Which fruit? Better keep reading to find
out!

That’s it for now…

There are plenty of other ways to improve your headlines, which is why I wrote an entire course on the subject.

But if all you do is apply the three tips in this post,
you’ll be well ahead of the crowd.

The post 3 Tips on Writing Better Headlines. appeared first on Writing for the web - online copywriting and content writing..