10 attention-grabbing headline formulas

It makes sense that 80% of your success will be down to your headline so you need to put some work into making sure yours are attention-grabbing and appropriate.

There are easier ways to get your prospects to listen to you!

Here are some formulas and examples that could dramatically increase your results:

1. Who else wants (blank)?

Starting a headline with “Who Else Wants…” is a classic strategy that implies an already existing desire. Whilst overused online, it still works for other platforms.

  • Who else wants a great product to help you win customers?
  • Who else wants to earn more money?
  • Who else wants more fun and less stress?

2. The secret of (blank)

This one is used quite a bit, but that’s because it works. Share insider knowledge and translate it into a benefit for the reader.

  • The secret of successful podcasting
  • The secret of protecting your trade mark assets
  • The secret of getting your bank loan approved

3. Here is a method that is helping [blank] to [blank]

Simply identify your target audience and the benefit you can provide them, and fill in the blanks.

  • Here is a method that is helping homeowners save hundreds on insurance
  • Here is a method that is helping children learn to read sooner
  • Here is a method that is helping bloggers write better post titles

4. Little known ways to (blank)

A more intriguing (and less common) way of accomplishing the same thing as “the secret of…” headline.

  • Little known ways to save on your heating bill
  • Little known ways to get to the top in google
  • Little known ways to lose weight quickly and safely

5. Get rid of (problem) once and for all

A classic formula that identifies either a painful problem or an unfulfilled desire that the reader wants to remedy.

  • Get rid of your unproductive work habits once and for all
  • Get rid of that carpet stain once and for all
  • Get rid of that spare tyre once and for all

6. Here’s a quick way to (solve a problem)

People love quick and easy when it comes to solving a nagging problem.

  • Here’s a quick way to get over a cold
  • Here’s a quick way to potty train your baby
  • Here’s a quick way to backup your hard drive

7. Now you can have [something desirable] [great circumstance]

This is the classic “have your cake and eat it too” headline — and who doesn’t like that?

  • Now you can quit your job and make even more money
  • Now you can meet the girl of your dreams online without risk
  • Now you can own a dog without the hassle of walking it every day

8. [do something] like [world-class example]

This is the proven “be like him or her” formula

  • Speak Spanish like a diplomat
  • Party like a pop star
  • Attend events like royalty

9. Have a [or] build a [blank] you can be proud of

Appeal to vanity, dissatisfaction, or shame. enough said.

  • Build a body you can be proud of
  • Have a smile you can be proud of
  • Build a network you can be proud of

10. What everybody ought to know about [blank]

Big curiosity draw with this type of headline, and it acts almost as a challenge to the reader to go ahead and see if they are missing something.

  • What everybody ought to know about  the voting system
  • What everybody ought to know about adjustable rate mortgages
  • What everybody ought to know about dealing with digital marketing

If you would like help to create your own great headlines, then email us today.

About Marie

I started Elite Edge at the end of 1999 and I am still as passionate about marketing today as I was then - probably more so because I consider myself very lucky to do a job that I love every day! My area of specialism is strategic planning but like most people these days, I wear many other hats too!
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