My article this issue is an excerpt from a book I was reading recently titled; The Copywriters Handbook by Robert Bly, a secondary small niche I focus on a bit. It categorizes the different types of headlines which are most common and in use today.
My immediate thought when I was reading this was to see which one tested best and then go onto the the next one, working my way through the list,... see what I mean,... testing each headline to see which ones pulls best.
So below I have them for your use. For space issues of course, I condensed them to a brief summary and an example. Enjoy.
1. Direct Headlines: state the selling proposition directly, with no room for wondering.
Examples:
"Pure Silk Blouses 30% Off"
2. Indirect Headlines: leaves a "roundabout" way to the message and product or service.
Examples:
"Ten Million to One. We can mix it"
3. News Headlines: gives a "newsy" type headline about the product.
Examples:
"Introducing the new Citation II" - Chevrolet
4. How-to Headline: gives a how-to approach and implication to the headline.
Examples:
"How-To Turn A Simple Party Into A Royal Ball"
5. Question Headlines: pose a question to the readers/prospects can empathize with.
Examples:
"Have You Any Of These Decorating Problem?" - Bigelow Carpets
6. Command Headlines: tell your prospects or reader what to do. Examples:
"Try Burning This Coupon" - Harshaw Chemical Company
7. Reason Why Headlines: pose a "list fashion" in the headline. Examples:
"Seven reason whys you should join..."
"120 to 4,000 reasons why you should..."
they can also can be in a,...
"6 Ways to etc. ..."
"7 Steps for etc. ..."
8. Testimonial Headlines: One of the Best types of headlines to have, is the testimonial, as this adds believability to the product/service in question.
To sum up,... the 8 categories of headlines in use today they are: Direct, InDirect, How-to, News, Command, Question, Reason Why, and The Testimonial.
In my own works; I'm finding, that some are easier to create than others, but see how they go for you. See which one or two pull best and of course stick with those.
Burke Ferguson holds both a BSc. degree in Computer Science as well Certification in Search Engine Optimization and Marketing Strategies. He regularly publishes The ACE! newsletter, in which he shares his experience, methods, and knowledge about what works and about what is 'BS'. He can be contacted by http://www.the-ace-ezine.com or http://www.altacanweb.com
Ever wondered how the most successful children's book writers get... Read More
Taming the Book Proposal: The BasicsOh, that most maddening of... Read More
Hundreds of writing contests tempt screenwriters with the lure of... Read More
Let's Discuss Publisher Ethics:If you are an ezine publisher or... Read More
Writers are often are greatly surprised or disappointed by how... Read More
I'm in the process of moving from one computer to... Read More
A book coaching client recently emailed me that she was... Read More
If your articles aren't getting published very often, or you... Read More
ACCEPT, EXCEPT Not commonly seen even from unpublished writers, who... Read More
Back in the mid to late 1980s I was a... Read More
At some point, every serious writer is forced to sit... Read More
We writers are a powerful lot. We control time. We... Read More
To keep it simple and basic: Jack Finney's Invasion of... Read More
At first, I noticed that I could have written many... Read More
In most aspects of business, we will be expected to... Read More
In a crowded market, clients will be seeking personality as... Read More
Short Story Writing Tips ?We all have different tastes in... Read More
The Blogfest 2005 Writing Contest has only been running for... Read More
Many of us dream of writing a book. Why not.... Read More
There is an image most people carry of the artist... Read More
It never ceases to amaze me when a prospective writer... Read More
Beginner's Blues: How to Collect Samples, Testimonials, and References as... Read More
If you're targeting an educated, more affluent audience with your... Read More
What is this annoying, insidious angst that permeates my psyche?... Read More
These 8 tips on using characters in your stories will... Read More
FIVE MINUTES ... Is All You Need ........to phone a... Read More
I just finished to read a book. A story for... Read More
Despite the widespread use of e-mail in commerce today, traditional... Read More
How many times have you forced yourself to sit in... Read More
Why should you consider creating a memoir of your personal... Read More
Creating incredible characters can be easy if you know of... Read More
You sink back into your favourite chair with a new... Read More
Want to write your book? But, need a blueprint on... Read More
What possibly could I have to write about? I never... Read More
It's important to have a space set aside in your... Read More
Building a new website can be extremely exciting. Seeing your... Read More
These 8 tips on using characters in your stories will... Read More
The self-indulgent writer listens only to the mumblings of sycophants,... Read More
ESSAYS ON AUTOBIOGRAPHY: NUMBER 1Preamble:Nearly seven years ago I wrote... Read More
It's cliché, but true-a picture does paint a thousand words.... Read More
Have you ever started a creative writing project with great... Read More
First drafts are for getting down the ideas. Anna Jacobs... Read More
Riding on the fumes of potential, you take pen to... Read More
Suspense novels are probably the easiest novels to write. Suspense... Read More
Business etiquette is fundamentally concerned with building relationships founded upon... Read More
Someone once commented that there were no new ideas to... Read More
Your query letter can be a deal maker or a... Read More
1. Write it fast, fix it later.2. Commit to writing... Read More
"If you want to change your life," Harry Beckwith wrote... Read More
My husband is no poet, so when I offer my... Read More
Everyone has a book inside them, or so the saying... Read More
For many authors just starting out, it can be a... Read More
ESSAY 2Andre Malraux once said that what interested him in... Read More
Today Norm Goldman, Editor of sketchandtravel and bookpleasures is honored... Read More
As a professional copywriter, not only do I do a... Read More
A book coaching client recently emailed me that she was... Read More
Proofreading worksheets are a great tool to help individuals open... Read More
Sometime one must coax the words out.Each day is a... Read More
Mixing and mingling with industry professionals is an opportunity that... Read More
You know, I really hate it when someone catches me... Read More
Obtaining the skills for writing good business correpondence is important;... Read More
It's a good idea to use TextPad because all opt-in... Read More
There is one key difference between reports and most other... Read More
One morning, you open your inbox and find several e-mails... Read More
During the past few months I have received many questions... Read More
If you are reading this article then you probably have... Read More
Writing |