Good headlines are hard to write, but you cannot survive without them. It’s a little brutal, but it’s just that simple. Without a good headline, your reader won’t want to keep reading your article, your web copy, or your blog post. That means that without the headline, nothing you write will ever be read, and your copywriting will never compel a new customer to buy a product, visit a web page, or even be interested in what you have to say.
It Is For That Reason That Good Headlines Make Money
A solid statement of benefit is often a very effective headline. If you write good headlines, your readers will continue to read the features and benefits of the product or service you’re writing for. That means they’re more likely to become customers, and that means the company who makes the product or service will make money. It’s as simple as that.
Without a benefit in the headline, readers don’t know why they care. If that headline just read “Good Headlines,” maybe some people would keep reading, but they wouldn’t have a reason to. For all they know, it’s about how good headlines are very nice. Almost as nice as puppies. It could be about anything. When they know that it’s about making money with good headlines, those who want to make money (which is most people) will want to read on.
Short is Good
Long headlines can be effective in certain situations, but by and large, shorter is better. A headline is only supposed to entice your readers to keep reading, it’s not meant to explain the entire topic on its own. Otherwise, what do you need the rest of the copy for? A headline sets up the next paragraph to make an impact; it’s up to you to knock it down with great, compelling copy.
5 Headline Tricks That Work
1. Ask a question.
2. Make a powerful statement.
3. Use the words “How to”
4. Use a number (like we did in this headline)
5. Rock it out with strong verbs
Tags: copywriting for money, headlines
