20 time-tested headline templates that will work like a charm

In my last post, I talked about creating great headlines that work. I mean clickable, likable, shareable headlines. Because that's what we want, right? Otherwise, why bother?

But sometimes, it just makes more sense to use headline templates that have been proven to work - whether you're writing a blog post, copy for your sales page, or landing page. There are plenty to go around, but here are some of my faves.

BOOM!

20 time-tested headline templates:

1. [#] Time/Money-Saving Tips For [Target Group]
   10 Time-Saving Tips for Busy Moms
   

2. Top [#] Tips for Hassle-Free [Desirable Thing]
   Top 5 Tips for Hassle-Free Travel
   

3. Now You Can [Something Desirable] for Free!
   Now You Can Take Ivy League College Courses Online for Free!
   

4. Get Your [Something Desirable] in [Shorter Time Period]
   Get Your Dog Potty Trained in Just One Week
   

5. Who Else Wants [Desirable Thing]
   Who Else Wants to Earn a 6-Figure Salary as a Freelance Photographer?
   

6. The Secret of Successful [Blank]
   The Secret of Successful Business Coaches
   

7. How To [Desirable Thing] You Can Be Proud Of
   How To Write Website Copy You Can Be Proud Of
   

8. The Ultimate Guide to [Desirable Thing]
   The Ultimate Guide to Creating a User-Friendly Website
   

9. How Your [Service Industry] Is Ripping You Off And What You Can Do About It Now
   How Your Cable Company Is Ripping You Off And What You Can Do About It Now
   

10. Are You Still Wasting Money on [Service/Thing] (Without Anything to Show for It)?
    Are You Still Wasting Money on Weight Loss Supplements (Without Anything to Show for It)?
    

11. I Found a [Adjective] Way to [Get Amazing Outcome]
    I Found a Foolproof Way to Get Any Woman To Like You
    

12. People Regularly Pay Me [$] for This Information. But You Can Have It FREE.
    People Regularly Pay Me $1,500 for This Information. But You Can Have It FREE.
    

13. [Verb] Like an Expert in [#] Easy Steps
    Save Like an Expert in 10 Easy Steps
    

14. The Lazy [Noun's] Way to [Verb]
    The Lazy Writer’s Way to Write a Best-Selling Novel
    

15. If You Don’t [Blank] Now, You’ll Hate Yourself Later
    If You Don’t Start Investing Now, You’ll Hate Yourself Later.
    

16. Get Rid of [problem] Once and For All
    Get Rid of Ingrown Nails Once and For All
    

17. [#] Things That Make You Look Dumb On [Blank]
    7 Things That Make You Look Dumb on LinkedIn
    

18. What No One Tells You About [Blank]
    What No One Tells You About Your Mortgage Payments
    

19. Supercharge Your [blank]
    Supercharge Your Immune System
    

20. Is [Blank] Affecting Your [Blank]?
    Is Politics Affecting Your Sex Life?

Okay, let those marinate.

You might even use some the next time you write.

Go ahead, try them on for size. Put some of your headlines in the comments section and let's unpack them!

You spent hours researching and writing your blog post… it’s a great read. It’s chock-full of useful information, and your readers (potential customers) would benefit greatly if they read it.

Awesome!

So you hit publish and wait for the likes, comments, shares… and nothing.

NOTHING!

You review your stats and they’re showing a flat line. Your post is dead in the water.

Why?

Maybe it’s your headline.

If the post is as good as you say it is, people should be in a clicking frenzy after they’ve read it, right? But no matter how good the body of the post is, it won’t get clicked on, read or shared if you can’t grab their attention and get them to read the next sentence, and the next, and so on.

According to copyblogger.com, “On average, 8 out of 10 people will read headline copy, but only 2 out of 10 will read the rest. This is the secret to the power of your title, and why it so highly determines the effectiveness of the entire piece.”

But writing headlines can be a challenge… and it doesn’t have to be.

Ever tried the 4 U’s Formula?

If you’ve been writing for a while, you might have heard of the 4 U’s Formula. It goes a little suppen like this:

• Your headline should be USEFUL

• It should be UNIQUE

• Make it ULTRA-SPECIFIC

• It should appear URGENT

You probably won’t have all four components in all of your headlines, but not to worry… you don’t have to. If you have at least 2 or 3, you are on the right track.

What do people want (to know, see, hear, feel)?

This might be the single most important question you can ask yourself before you set your pen to paper... ahem... before you start tapping at the keyboard.

Doing it this way lets you identify a problem people have, a solution they may be looking for, and how you can tailor your headline to deliver the goods. Sound simple enough? Okay.

Let’s say you’re a tax preparer. What are the biggest complaints that clients have? Is it that they are leaving money on the table? Is that they simply don’t understand what they should be claiming for? Is it that the tax code is so complex and they don't want to make a mistake with the IRS?

And you should know. Because you're a tax preparer.

So maybe POPSUGAR isn't a blog, but you can't just pass by this headline:

Everyone has to file their taxes, right? And, no one wants to leave money on the table. Would I want to know what the 23 most overlooked tax deductions are? HELL YEAH!

Even if I don’t do my own taxes, I will want to click on this baby -- just to make sure my tax guy is claiming for everything allowed.

So let’s break it down:

Is it useful? YES! Remember these aren’t just deductions, they are the most overlooked ones. Wouldn’t you want to know if you’ve been overlooking them too?

Is it urgent? The use of “don’t miss out” gives it a sense of urgency. I want to click on it NOW, because I actually don’t want to miss out, especially since we’re in tax season, and I might not have filed yet. But here's the thing, even if I filed already, I'd still want to know.

Ultra-specific? Definitely. Using numbers gives your audience specificity. I’ll know what to expect: 23 tax deductions I might be overlooking.

But is it unique? It certainly is. Just type it into your Google search in quotes and see the results... it's the only one of its kind (except for the shares on Pinterest). 

Now, go check out your website or blog, examine your headlines, taglines and subheadings. Are they doing what you want them to do? Time to put these tips to work!

And look out for my next blog post where I will show you some time-tested headline templates, so you won't have to recreate the wheel!
 

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Is there something preventing you from writing a web page and blog headlines that work? I'd like to help. Share your biggest challenge in the comments section.

 

Because it doesn't have to be that complicated, even if you're writing about rocket science

You want to create content for your website or blog, but you have no idea where to start. And with all the tips, tricks and fads online, it's easy to lose focus and forget the power of the basics.

Help is here.

If you start with these three simple ingredients, you will be creating content anyone will want to read... and everyone can easily understand.

1. Attention-grabbing headlines

If you can't get their attention at the top, don’t expect them to read what's below.

Think about why people come to you: Are they looking for affirmation or entertainment? Maybe they're looking for help or enlightenment.

First you have to know what they need and then try to figure out how you can give it to them.
 
Let's say people struggle with, I dunno, writing attention-grabbing headlines. Then your headline should promise to help them do just that.

So how about this for a headline?

5 Easy Steps to Help You Write Attention-Grabbing Headlines

See what I mean?

Using a number like 5 offers substance – the promise of something specific... and structure – quick and easy to read and follow.

You also promised each step would be easy, so they will be expecting that.

And you should follow through.

You should give them 5 steps. They should be easy. And, they should help them write headlines that demand attention.

2. Graphics, white space & bullet points

There's nothing more boring than staring at a page of words, words, and more words.

Break it up! Add a picture, a video, some charts (relevant, of course), and even though this isn't really a graphic, never underestimate the power of white space.
 

(beautiful white space)

And, breaking out your content into numbered or bulleted lists makes your writing more readable... because it:

• Highlights important information
• Brings the reader's attention to the information quickly
• Makes your content easier to read, scannable, and
• Delivers information in bite sizes that are easy to digest

3. Simple language

Nothing sends readers running for the hills like utilizing highfalutin terminology, unnecessary vocabulary and industry-specific jargon.

See what I mean?

And no, I'm not suggesting that you "dumb it down." But, your readers want to understand what you are saying without having to guess or think too much.

Are they lazy?

No...

They just have a helluva lot more stuff to do than sit there and try to figure out what you're saying.

So keep it simple...

And while you're at it, keep it conversational. You're not writing an essay, you're talking to a friend.

Use the Active Voice.

Instead of: Our Rock-a-Bye Baby rocker was constructed to assist infants who have difficulty falling asleep readily.

Try: We made Rock-a-Bye Baby rocker to help babies fall asleep faster.

And don't make it all about you and your product; tell your customers what's in it for them. 

Try this: We made Rock-a-Bye Baby rocker to help your baby fall asleep faster... so you can rest more.

Use short words:

• Get vs. receive
• Use vs. utilize
• Show vs. indicate
• Help vs. assistance
• Give vs. render

So let's sum it up.

If you want people to read your stuff and understand it, use attention-grabbing headlines, break up the text with graphics, bullet points and white space... and, keep the language simple!

What's stopping you from creating great content for your website or blog? I'd like to help. Just share your biggest challenge in the comments section. And look out for my next blog post on writing great headlines.

Ignoring the signs can make your customers unhappy and cost you big time.

We had never cut our son’s hair… not once since he was born. He was born with a full head of thick, black hair... and we instantly fell in love with it. Jordan’s 3 years old now, and his hair (when fully extended) was almost at his waist.

I hated hearing him cry when I had to wash, comb and braid it. I usually make four big braids and scoop them up unto a ponytail. But his hair, like mine, is unruly… with flyaways aplenty. It took lots of moisture and brushing to tame it and make it look presentable.

I loved his hair. I mean, I really did.

He must have liked having it too because he would shake his head to feel the thick braids slap his face and bounce around when he ran.

So, when we decided the hair should go, there was trepidation (on our part, we soon learned).

Our son has autism, so something like sitting still in a barber’s chair and getting his head shaved with a strange buzzing tool isn’t something we thought would be quick and painless. No. We were bracing ourselves for a long evening, a frustrated barber, and a botched haircut.

But Jordan sat on his father’s lap in the barber’s chair... and in less than 10 minutes, his braids came off one by one. I saw the shape of his head for the first time. Jordan is nonverbal, so he couldn’t vocalize his feelings, but his reaction was priceless.

He started checking himself out in the mirror and smiling. He seemed elated like he had taken a load off. He probably did.

It was a lot of hair.

When he got to the car, and I put him in his car seat, he was touching his head and applauding. He was laughing and humming. He was happy!

So what does cutting my son’s hair have to do with your business?

Well, maybe nothing!

But in that moment, I realized that keeping his hair uncut wasn’t about him. It was about me and his dad.

As businesses, we often fall into the trap of projecting what we want onto our customers, clients, and anyone we interact with.

Stop and ask yourself, do my customers enjoy using my website? What kind of user experience does it offer? Maybe it looks great… or the pictures are high-quality. But all that will be irrelevant if your customers or clients aren’t getting what they need when they need it... and with the least amount of effort.

Is your content helpful? Are customers checking your blog to see what kind of insight you have to offer? Are you sending useful information to their inboxes?

If you’re a realtor, does your website help people navigate the rough and tumble world of home-buying? What is your tax preparation business offering that others aren’t?

What can lead the customers to you?
Part of learning these things is stepping outside of the bubble and listening to your customers. 
They speak through their actions.

Are they satisfied with your customer service? When they’re looking for a ___________, are they coming to you?

Sure, Jordan would cry when I had to care for his hair, and I ignored it because I knew it didn’t really hurt. It took me a long time to realize that maybe it just wasn’t working for him anymore.

Take a fresh look at what you’re offering and ask yourself, is it still working for my clients? Are they happy? Because if they aren’t, your competition is right there and eager to please.

In life and in business, doing what you like and ignoring the signs that are right in front of you can be pretty costly.

Your business needs a boost.

Your sales are flat and there isn't that much action coming through the door … or your website.

So you scour the Internet, where there's an infinite sea of articles, blogs and misinformation about what you need to do to get your website up to par and business pouring into your doors … literally and virtually.

Then… you make a quilt of the tens of "10 things you need for your website" articles you've read – stitching together what you think might work for your business.

You decide to revamp or recreate your website – after all, in an ever-changing design world, what looked great four years ago looks dated now, and no amount of quick fixes can get it done.

So you hire a top-tier web designer and you discuss what type of functionality you need to have… where you want to end up on a Google search… and what you want the design to convey.

Your designer goes to work and comes up with an awesome website – crisp, clean and user-friendly.

Then, like many small business owners, unless your web designer brings up content, you are content to just move the information from your brochure or flyers and throw it into the new design.

It's that simple, right? WRONG!

Part of the reason your business might be struggling is that your content isn't reaching the people you need it to reach. It isn't telling your story. It isn't representative of the products or services you offer.

And... it isn't working for you because it lacks the delicate balance of art and science that creates words that work for you.

In comes your copywriter. A professional who understands how to listen to your needs, feel your passion, find your voice and tell your story.

Here are 4 important things to consider when creating your content:

1. Your story

Everyone loves a good story – no matter who they are. Think about what made you decide to go into this business in the first place. Did you always love animals and couldn't rest until you started your own pet grooming business? Did Grandma leave you her secret recipes and you wanted to honor her memory with your own pastry shop? Did your desire to help people find their dream homes, your way, make you leave a real estate conglomerate and branch out on your own? Or were you laid off from your last job and decided it was time to be your own boss? Whatever made you do it is an integral part of your story. You just need to find the right words to tell it.

2. Target audience

You don't have to be a niche business to have a target audience. In fact, even if you're selling the same thing everyone else is selling, you can get the kinds of customers you want if you know just how to reach them. Let's say you own a restaurant and you want to appeal to a mostly high-profile clientele. What would your marketing strategy be? Would your focus be on affordability or exclusivity? What would your website look like and how would your content attract these customers?

3. Brand identity 

Here's where you can really score some points if you do it right. Just around Thanksgiving, my husband and I were watching TV and a commercial came on. Way before it ended or showed any sign of the company, he knew it was Publix. Sure, the entire commercial was centered around food, family and the spirit of Thanksgiving. But while many supermarkets focused on that same theme, everything about this ad said Publix – from the gentle background music, to the soft, slow engaging voice. They have branded themselves so well, that we can recognize them without even seeing their name. So maybe your business is no Publix in size or scope, but you can find that thing that distinguishes you from the other massage and spas, tax preparation companies or whatever it is that you do.

4. Product (or service)

What exactly are you selling? Why do people need it and how do you convince them that they do? Anyone can have a good product, but if it's hidden (a.k.a. not properly marketed) how can you get people to buy it or use it? Sure, you can depend on just word of mouth ... or you can create a winning marketing strategy to define your brand. Just like in showbiz, talent can get you only so far. It explains why in the 90s Britney Spears (who has a passable voice) was way more popular than Christina Aguilera (who has a powerhouse voice). Sometimes packaging makes all the difference.

Are these the only things you should consider? No.

But if you use these four principles to guide you, you're well on your way to having content that sells.

What do you struggle with when you're writing?  I'd like to help. Leave me a comment and let's talk about it.