Mid-July 2008

A few quick ways to spruce up
any headline!

Now you've learned my 3 easy secrets for writing kick-butt headlines. But don't just stop there! Take a look at a headline you're working on. Can you jazz it up to increase your response? Most likely the answer is YES! Here are 3 more ways you can do it. ...

1. Offer a transaction:

Let the reader know what he's going to get when he gives you a few minutes of his time:
Get WHATEVER you want...
without sacrificing QUALITY...
for HALF price...
Or even FREE - Guaranteed!

* * * * *

Give me just 16 hours
and I'll help you experience
a genuine health miracle...

* * * * *
2. Be VERY specific:

Give your headline even more credibility with a few well- chosen facts:

Little-known test finds breast cancer
12 YEARS earlier than mammograms!
And it doesn't mash or squeeze the daylights
out of your breasts either!

* * * * *

The Hidden Illness that Zaps Your Energy
And how this simple 92-cent remedy
spots it QUICK!

* * * * *

3. Add intrigue and curiosity to your headline:

Find a catchy phrase or saying to grab your prospect's attention. For example...

If you are sick and tired...

* * * * *

True or false?

* * * * *

It's about time you know...

* * * * *

Urgent health advisory for your neighborhood

* * * * *

What did it?

* * * * *

OK, so now you know just as much as I do about writing killer headlines - and it didn't even take you 20 years like it took me! Congratulations!

Now, before you go and put these tips into practice - let's do a quick review:

When you're writing headlines, remember:

Benefit headlines are your "bread and butter". Try to have at least one benefit-oriented headline in your test panels!
Emotions are powerful! Tug at the heart string, and the purse string will loosen!
A combination of benefit and emotion can deliver a killer headline! Find ways to use them to strengthen your headline promise.
Be specific! Add exact numbers, specific amounts or names of important people right in the headline!
Make your headline tests really count! Avoid testing stuff that doesn't matter or won't give you a significant lift in response. For example, testing a different word... punctuation... or color border is probably not a good use of a test panel. It usually doesn't give you the boost you need for a lift in response.
Support your headline claims! Make sure your deck copy and lead deliver on your headline promise. "Read this or die" wouldn't have worked if it was just left hanging on the page. It was supported by powerful deck copy.
Write with conviction. When you're passionate about your copy - headline ideas pop out of nowhere! Believe in your product and its ability to deliver a benefit to your prospect!
Don't be afraid to break the rules! If you've got a headline idea you feel strongly about but it doesn't conform to "copywriting rules" - go with your gut. You'll never get a home run if you don't take a swing! Remember, "Read this or die" - that was a MAJOR rule breaking headline - and a kick butt success!

Now you're ready to write your killer headlines, CopyStar - get crack'n!