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About The Author
Kim Phillips is an independent marketing consultant specializing in branding, communication strategy, creative writing and design, online content, email marketing and social media.
10 ways to write killer headlines.
Posted in Blogging, business writing, Content management - 1 Comment
The only purpose of a headline is to draw the reader into your story. Do your headlines do that? Here are some sure-fire techniques to make you an effective headline writer.
Write short. A headline is like a billboard, and your reader is speeding past it. The fewer words, the better.
Make numbered lists. “10 Things You Need to Know About Social Security” promises an easy read, even about a complicated subject.
Tell us how-to. People like to know their reading time will be well-spent, as in “How to Cut Your Tax Bill in Half.”
Appeal to desires. “Lose Weight with No Exercise” has been working forever.
Ask questions. “Are You Ready to Retire?” will engage the person who has been thinking about that very thing.
Be cryptic. Tell a parent “What Your Teenager Isn’t Telling You” and that parent won’t be able to pass up the information.
Provoke a little. “Why Your Religion is Wrong” will irk almost everybody, and they’ll probably read on.
Impart information. “September Newsletter” doesn’t give a clue as to what there is to read or why anyone should read it.
Be emotional. Everyone can relate to “Losing a Best Friend Hurts.”
Draw a picture. “The Perfect Beach” is something we can all imagine.
Above all, know your audience. Headlines that excite mechanical engineers may not appeal to stay-at-home moms. Understand the reader’s life, hopes, desires, and fears. Make a promise with your headline, make it punchy, and keep the promise.
Tags: advertising mistakes, business blog, business writing, Get Lucid Marketing, lucid marketing, marketing blog, writing tips
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