Virtually every method of marketing communications can be substantially enhanced with the developement of stronger headlines. In fact, I'd venture to say that every type of communication (business or personal) could be harder hitting... more direct with a powerful punch... and much more effective in attracting a listening audience with a riveting headline.
Here are the 22 types of attention grabbing headlines with an example of each one to help you understand how to use them more effectively:
1) The direct statement headline.
"Get up to 1.25% cash back and become home-free faster!"
2) The question headline.
"What would you do if you had the money?"
3) The testimonial headline.
"Virtuapack.com has increased my sales a very real 357%!!!"
4) The command headline.
"This is your chance to become successful. Take it!"
5) The how-to headline.
"How to have the best sex ever!"
6) The indirect headline.
"10 reward dollars are waiting for you at the finish line..."
7) The guarantee headline.
"Project management guaranteed to help you complete projects
on time, on budget and on target!"
8) The frustration/problem headline.
"If the unexpected happened to your computer data today...
Would it still be "business as usual" tomorrow? Here's a
100% guaranteed way to make sure it never happens".
9) The deep discount headline.
"4 books. 4 bucks. No commitment. No kidding. If you love to
read, this offer is simply a no brainer!"
10) The personalized headline (only if you have the names on your list)
"Finally, here's how you Robert Hendrix, can use 1,479 of the best
kept secrets of the world's greatest gourmet cooks and impress
your dinner guests like never before!"
11) The benefit headline.
"50 fool-proof ways to make money on the internet!"
12) The "Reason why" headline.
"9 reasons why you should purchase E-ditor before September"
13) The short headline.
"Wife wanted now!"
14) The case history headline.
"Starting off with $56,000 in debts... a young divorced mother tells
how she became a millionare in only 34 months. Here she
explains how you can start earning enough money easily to retire
a millionare in 5-8 years..."
15) The news headline.
"Doctors astounded by the possibility of these miracle healers!"
16) The numbered headline.
"The 7 secrets that can make YOU a better speaker!"
17) The "Not this-- but this" headline.
"No horoscopes. No fashion tips. No perfume strips. Just smart,
clear financial advice for the independent woman"
18) The "If... than" headline.
"If you qualify... You and 5 of your best friends could be off to a
week-long ski vacation in Vermont!"
19) The invitation headline.
"You are cordially invited to take advantage of a very special
offer from The Financial Post."
20) The offer headline.
"This book is invaluable... indispensable... and it's FREE!"
21) The "Attachment" headline. (Where you send something extra in
the mailing... a sample Gourmet Coffee Packet for example.
"Sit down, have a delicious cup of coffe on us... and discover how
you can enjoy this fresh-roasted Colombian coffe -- every day!"
22) The combination headline. This is nothing more than mixing or
combining of two or more of the headline techniques above. The
end result of several combinations is a new version that has even
more attention-getting and interest-arousing capability.
