Home Based Business Adviser

We all should know by now that the headline of your post, article and even your ebook is one of the most important pieces of the message you want to convey. If it doesn’t grab the reader right away then you might as well not have even written your piece. I am sure you have heard the saying that, “You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.” If that’s true (and it is) then your headline is your one and only chance to make a good first impression.

When writing your headline you should also be cognizant of the fact that it can do much more than just grab the attention of a reader, a really good headline can even communicate the whole message you are about to convey. Any good headline will provide your reader some kind of benefit or reward, whether it is direct or indirect. The headline must make the reader want to know more!

I read a book by Bob Bly called “The Copywriter’s Handbook” and in that book he presented eight different, time tested, headline types, that motivate your reader to take some kind of action. In theory if they take action you should make money. Below I have listed the eight types of headlines with a brief explanation of what it is and how to use it.

1. Direct Headlines – This type of headline pulls no punches and gets straight to the point. An example of a direct headline might be something like, “30% Off All Widgets Today.” As you can see it is simple and direct to the point.
2. Indirect Headlines – An indirect type of headline is more subtle in nature. It might use a reader’s curiosity to get them to read the content. It could also infer one thing and yet mean something totally different.
3. News Headlines – In my opinion this is pretty self-explanatory. When using this type of headline just be sure that the “news” is actually news! This type of headline can be used to announce new products or services, new hires, new patents, just about anything can be news if it is new, revised or just happened.
4. How to Headlines – You should already, a marketers be pretty familiar with this type of headline. You see it everywhere, online and offline. The reason that you see it so often is simply because it works. In his book, Mr. Bly said, “Many advertising writers claim if you begin with the words how to, you can’t write a bad headline.”
5. Question Headlines – Headlines that ask a question must do more than just present the question. The question should be something that allows the reader to empathize or one that he/she wants to see answered. One example might be “What Would You Do If No Was Watching?”
6. Command Headlines – This type of headline in my opinion is very similar to a call to action. You boldly tell your reader what to do, and in no uncertain terms. My. Bly recommends that the first word should be a strong verb that demands action. An example might be something like, “Buy This Product Or Lose Your Shirt!”
7. Reason Why Headlines – This is another common headline that is used heavily in internet marketing circles. Generally you see them starting with phrases like, 10 Tips To Strengthen Your Eyelashes, 101 Reasons To Leave Your Spouse, 27 Ways To Beat Your Dog. As you can see you don’t have to include the “reason why” because it is inferred in your headline.
8. Testimonial Headlines – This kind of headline is very effective because it provides your readers with outside proof that what you have is of great value. In order to use this headline you must have a testimonial to use and then it is generally put inside of quotes to indicate that it was said by someone. A very good example of this would be, “I Never Let A Day Go By Without Reading the Home Based Business Adviser.” Up to now, now one as actually told me that so if you want to be the first, feel free to email me with your quote.

Next time you set out to write an article, post or ebook spend a little extra time on the headline and use one of the methods that have been outlined above and see if you can’t improve the number of readers that “stick” to your pages.

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