Tag: High Octane Headlines

In High Octane Headlines, I create and dissect a powerful headline and examine why it helps to capture your readers’ attention and drive them to read more.

The following headline might be used for real estate professionals who want to position themselves as helping homesellers to save money during the home-selling process…

More cash in your pocket: 19 unusual tips to save $1000 or more when you sell your home

Why this headline works

• “More cash in your pocket” Creates an immediate benefit that is always attention-getting — money! Also, the word “your” is a form of the word “you” (which has a magical effect in copywriting) and “your pocket” gives a sense of ownership and control to the reader
• “19 unusual tips” is very specific. If I had only written “tips”, it would have lacked something special. And the reference to “unusual” add some curiosity to the mix, suggesting that these aren’t tips people will have read before!
• “save $1000 or more” has a nice ring to it. It’s not only a specific minimum benefit (as suggested by the “or more”), but it’s also a significant benefit, too. People might have read further if it was “save $100 or more” but they definitely would not have read if it read “save $10 or more”. Given the ratio between the cost of a home sale and the $1000 benefit, it is a reasonable amount to compel people to read.
• “when you sell your home” helps to qualify the audience. This isn’t for everyone… it’s for people to are (or will be) selling their home.

Introducing a new series on my blog – High Octane Headlines.

In High Octane Headlines, I create and dissect a powerful headline and examine why it helps to capture your readers’ attention and drive them to read more.

The following headline might be used for financial software such as a FOREX app that alerts you to buying and selling opportunities…

Who else wants $2,125 in 9 minutes with this while-you-sleep simple FOREX secret?

Why this headline works

• “Who else wants” sets up a question that the well-targeted reader will answer: “Me!”
• “else” implies that other people have already succeeded with the same offer.
• “$2,125” is a specific number and specific numbers sell. They’re much more effective than generalizations like “thousands” or “$2,000” or “over $2,000” or “21.6% ROI”.
• “in 9 minutes” this highlights the speed, providing an extra benefit… plus it’s also very specific.
• “with this while-you-sleep simple” emphasizes the simplicity of the system — and note that it is passive (“while you sleep”), which makes it more attractive to readers
• “FOREX secret” gives it an element of exclusivity (compared to a “system” or a “strategy” or just “software”).