Want to increase your click-throughs by 500%? According to data by CoSchedule, all it takes is one good headline in an ad, on social media, or in an email to make it happen.
Most people will only ever read your headline. If it doesn’t pique their interest they’ll move on without a second thought.
You can invest days (even months) into a piece of life-changing content. But if your headline is a dud no one will read it.
Everything hinges on your headline (no pressure… but yes, lots of pressure).
So, how do you craft a headline that makes people want to read your content?
We write dozens of headlines every month and test all our copy to see what converts best. But we’ll make it easy for you. Below are all our most valuable findings so you can reap the rewards of our efforts without having to put in the work.
Looking for a shortcut? Try these proven headline templates
The templates below have proven to drive engagement and conversions.
Our headline for this newsletter is pretty good by our standards. But let’s see what happens when we insert it into some of these templates.
- How to… Starting your headline like this is a great way to introduce helpful information. Example: “How to Write High-Converting Headlines in 6 Easy Steps.”
- _ ways to… This formula is perfect for introducing a list. Example: 6 Ways to Write More Engaging Headlines.
- Are you… Question headlines like this spark curiosity and allow you to bring up a problem the reader is having. Example: “Are You Tired of Headlines That Don’t Convert? Here are 6 Tips to Help.”
- Who else wants… This is another type of question headline. It works because it implies that you’ve already helped others solve the problem. Example: “Who Else Wants Headlines That Drive Sales? Follow These 6 Tips.”
- Get rid of… Everyone has a problem they’d like to get rid of. This type of headline promises to do just that. Example: Get Rid of Poor Performing Headlines in Just 6 Easy Steps.
Want to hone your headline skills? Follow these tips
- Sell the value by being specific
Headlines that try to appeal to everyone appeal to no one. So, hone in on your target market and craft a specific headline that’s written just for them.
You can do this by explaining exactly what you’re offering and who the content is intended for.
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- Make it all about them, and bring on the benefits
If you want people to read your content you need to tell them what’s in it for them. State the primary benefit right in the headline so readers know what they’re going to get.
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- Dig into the digits
Have you noticed that a lot of headlines use numbers? That’s because it works. Studies show that including numbers in your headlines increases clickthrough rates by as much as 20%.
A couple things to keep in mind: odd numbers are better than even numbers, as they’re perceived to be more believable. And numbers (7) convert better than words (seven).
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- Use (fabulous, rowdy, compelling) adjectives
The words you use in your headline can make all the difference. Including adjectives can liven up your headline and make it more emotive, which is great for engagement.
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- Create a sense of urgency—right now!
Fear of missing out (FOMO) is very real. If you tell people they only have so long until an opportunity is gone forever they’ll be much more likely to read your content now, rather than putting it off until later.
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- Write multiple headlines
- Write headlines multiple times
- Finding the right headline takes multiple tries
Don’t just write one headline. Brainstorm a few different variations to find one you really love. Even better, test them against one another to determine which one converts the best.
A good rule of thumb is to write five headlines and keep one.
Now it’s your turn! Apply the templates and tips above to come up with high-converting headlines that drive more leads and sales for your business. Good luck!
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