In his book Hypnotic Writing, copywriting legend Joe Vitale highlights 30 sure-fire ways to write hypnotic headlines that attract customers. I have included just 5 of his ‘trigger’ types that are extremely powerful to create skillful headlines:

1. Create Curiosity

• Revealed!
• Announcing!
• New!

These words create excitement and curiosity in your reader. Everyone loves something new and always likes to be one of the first to find out the news. (Special Note: Legally to use the word ‘new’ your product needs to be developed or updated in the last six months).

2. The Call to Attention

• Doctors!
• Investors!
• Sore Back?

This is an easy headline to write. You are calling out to your specific target audience. This is very effective particularly if your product is in a small niche.

3. Sell the Benefit

• Free from Dandruff in 24 hours!
• Buy One Pair – Get the Second pair free!
• Learn Guitar in 2 Days with New Method!

People always want to know what is in it for them. When you state the benefits or results your customer will receive from your product you will capture their attention instantly.

4. The Captivating Question

• What are the Seven Secrets to Unlimited Wealth?
• Do You Make These Mistakes When Writing?
• Which Natural Herb Boosts Your Body’s Immune System?

The trick here is to ask an intriguing open ended question. In other words a question that cannot be answered with either “yes” or “no”. If your reader can answer your question with a yes or no, you risk losing them. They have no need read further.

5. The ‘How To’ Headline

• How to Train Your Dog to Sit
• How to Tell When Your Teenager is Lying
• How to Win Friends and Influence People

This one is extremely popular on the internet. People go online to search for information. By placing a ‘how to’ in your headline you are meeting them exactly where their heads are at (hint hint).

Here is a little secret I’ll let you in on.

Professional copywriters steal headlines from other successful ads. Yes that’s right.

Although you wouldn’t technically call it ‘stealing.’  What they do is copy the framework of successful ads and then adapt them to suit their own product.

They also use what is called their “swipe file.” This is a collection of ads, headlines and copy that they like. When it is time for them to write a headline, they instantly have a treasure trove of great ideas to help them write their powerful headline.

Once you start looking at copy from a copywriter’s perspective you will notice how many headlines get used over and over again. These are the ones that work. Take note and write them down!  Add them to your own Swipe File.

Continue to study and model successful copywriters. But don’t mimic their style exactly. Always be sure to use your own voice and let your personality shine through the text.

Remember a punchy headline that grabs attention and sparks curiosity will always have a better chance of competing and attract far more readers.

Looking for powerful copywriting techniques? Check out John Carlton’s Simple Writing System.

Post from: Online Writing 5 Powerful Triggers You Can Use When Writing Headlines

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Online visitors click through web pages at lightning speed, stopping on average for only 4 seconds per page. So if your headline doesn’t catch, captivate, and convince your audience, you can kiss them goodbye.

A punchy headline basically has two vital functions:

1. It has to Grab Your Reader’s Attention.

People are stuck in their own heads – busy with their own thoughts and problems. Your headline needs to pull them out of their heads and into your copy. It should communicate the overall message without giving away what is about to follow in the body text.

2. It needs to Spark Curiosity.

A great headline hooks the reader and reels them straight into the body text.  By igniting your reader’s curiosity you will entice them to find out more.

Professional copywriters continually scour magazines and newspapers for ideas as part of their research.  Would you believe that some also gain inspiration from the trashy type tabloids that thrive on sensationalism? Headlines that scream “Prom Queen Abducted by Two Headed Alien” and “Elvis Spotted Moonlighting as Taxi Driver.” We have all spotted them.

Of course these headlines are ridiculous. But smart copywriters realize these types of headlines do a great job of demanding our attention and tempting our curiosity. Now I’m not suggesting you write a crazy headline like those, but I do want to make the point that grabbing attention and creating curiosity are important to a achieving a punchy headline.

It pays also to note that human beings are driven by emotions – that’s a fact. Clever headlines communicate to their audience on a very personal level. They can touch a specific emotion or condition the audience immediately relates to, instantly creating a connection.

There are many ways that professional copywriters approach writing a successful headline.  What type of headline has been successful in grabbing your attention?

Post from: Online Writing Are You Packing A Punch When Writing Headlines?

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