By Jeremy Allen Reeves
Think back to a time when you read a catchy headline that you didn't full understand. Did you read the article... or did you simply ignore it, thinking it was going to be a story you didn't care about?
Some copywriters argue that your headline needs to explain what the article/sales letter is going to be about. Most people think it needs to display the benefits in order for a prospect to start reading. To me... that's a load of BS.
One of my favorite copywriters is Clayton Makepeace - who also happens to be probably the most successful copywriter living today.
Do you really thinks he cares about putting benefits in a headline? No! He cares only about what is going to compel the reader to read the thing he's writing. AFTER that, he starts laying out the benefits for the prospects. He cares about emotionally driven strange headlines - which almost always turn out to be catchy headlines.
I absolutely agree with him. Although benefit-oriented headlines are great for short copy, in longer copy you have more room to explain the strange headlines you thought of.
Take this catchy headline for example (which I find hilarious): "New Zealand Scientists Use Balloon to Measure Cattle Farts"
Now, you probably want to read the article don't you? I know I do. There are probably very few people who wouldn't take a look at that article - and those people are probably boring old farts who have no sense of humor.
As a copywriter or business-owner, you know that the more people that start reading - the better. Once they start reading they start on the "slippery slope".
And the farther they read - the more sales you make.
People love to hear about strange things - People LOVE hearing about weird, strange or catch topics. Even if your copy isn't about something strange, just make a strange headline that's catchy and your prospect will instantly be hypnotized by your writing.
The next time you're writing copy try to think of some strange, catchy headline that will suck your prospect into your article in a split second. Even if you just want to test it!
Your clients will love you and your wallet will grow much fatter - much faster.
Jeremy Reeves is a direct response copywriter and marketer, and creator of http://www.The30DayCopywritingChallenge.com.
Go here to find out more about writing catchy headlines and conversion-boosting secrets at his blog!
Some copywriters argue that your headline needs to explain what the article/sales letter is going to be about. Most people think it needs to display the benefits in order for a prospect to start reading. To me... that's a load of BS.
One of my favorite copywriters is Clayton Makepeace - who also happens to be probably the most successful copywriter living today.
Do you really thinks he cares about putting benefits in a headline? No! He cares only about what is going to compel the reader to read the thing he's writing. AFTER that, he starts laying out the benefits for the prospects. He cares about emotionally driven strange headlines - which almost always turn out to be catchy headlines.
I absolutely agree with him. Although benefit-oriented headlines are great for short copy, in longer copy you have more room to explain the strange headlines you thought of.
Take this catchy headline for example (which I find hilarious): "New Zealand Scientists Use Balloon to Measure Cattle Farts"
Now, you probably want to read the article don't you? I know I do. There are probably very few people who wouldn't take a look at that article - and those people are probably boring old farts who have no sense of humor.
As a copywriter or business-owner, you know that the more people that start reading - the better. Once they start reading they start on the "slippery slope".
And the farther they read - the more sales you make.
People love to hear about strange things - People LOVE hearing about weird, strange or catch topics. Even if your copy isn't about something strange, just make a strange headline that's catchy and your prospect will instantly be hypnotized by your writing.
The next time you're writing copy try to think of some strange, catchy headline that will suck your prospect into your article in a split second. Even if you just want to test it!
Your clients will love you and your wallet will grow much fatter - much faster.
Jeremy Reeves is a direct response copywriter and marketer, and creator of http://www.The30DayCopywritingChallenge.com.
Go here to find out more about writing catchy headlines and conversion-boosting secrets at his blog!
