In other words: Copywriting 101

The first thing your readers, prospects, and customers will see when they get an email or piece of advertising material from you is your headline. If that headline doesn’t grab their attention you can pretty much forget making a sale because your audience isn’t likely to read the rest of the advertisement or post.

The trick to writing a wonderful headline is to remember that the headline is just as important as the body of the message. It actually needs to be able to stand alone as a message of its own. The headline alone needs to make your reader stop and say “You’re right, I do need to (buy that, read that, subscribe to that).”

There are several different types of headlines you can use in copywriting. Today I’m going to give you five to consider:

The Direct Headline

The direct headline tells your reader exactly what you have to offer up front. It’s not funny, it’s not silly, and it’s right to the point. Example: Free e-Book with Subscription to Sean McPheat.com.

The Indirect Headline

Indirect headlines are pretty clear in what they have to offer but don’t give all of the details up front. They’re a bit more subtle in the way they deliver their messages. Example: Why Copywriting Headlines are Essential to Success.

Asking a Question

Use your headline to ask a question your readers can relate to or would really be interested in seeing the answer to. Example: Are You Ready to take Your Business to the Next Level?

A List of Reasons

It’s really no secret, but lists are incredibly popular. Put together a list of reasons or ways for a person to do something and you’re sure to grab your audience’s attention. Example: 21 Ways to Increase Your Response Ratio.

Be Commanding

Simply tell your readers what you think they should be doing. Use strong verbage combined with a clear direction. Example: Subscribe to SeanMcPheat.com Today!

Be creative with your headlines and I can guarantee you’ll get a better response from your print advertisements, emails, and even blog posts. Give it a try and let me know how things turn out.

Thanks again,

Sean

Sean McPheat