subject: Strange But True: Blog Headlines Have Gone Mad! [print this page] Things are really becoming amazing in the blog world!
Just as I was about to end my article on headlines, I came across another great advice from Ben Settle in his Million Dollar Copywriting Secrets course in coming up with attractive blog headlines.
As there are several ways to skin a cat, there are also a number of ways you can make your blog headlines so compelling enough to make your readers want to stop, take notice, and read some more.
Caveat: Before you start anything totally new, sensational, out of your comfort zone, or just so totally uncharacteristic of you, always make sure that your online business followers will not be turned off from such fun, zany, and offbeat headlines for your blog!
Continue reading and you'll see what I mean.
Please note that this is the first part of a two-part series. All sample headlines were lifted from Ben Settle's course unless otherwise indicated.
1. The Shock Effect
A few bloggers can get away with these titles:
Taming the SEO Hell Bitch
Copywriting Boob Jobs
Without a doubt, this could really get anyone's attention! Before taking on this shocking route, however, be sure that this is something that your followers would welcome gladly. This may open the floodgates to negative feedback or criticism; so unless you are prepared for it, you may want to skip this.
2. Curiosity
Remember the saying curiosity killed the cat? Who could forget Pandora opening a box that she should never have opened in the first place? Perhaps there's truth to the statement that almost all of us, even cats, is inherently curious. To get them to notice your blog headline, appeal to that seeking and wondering side of your target market. Here are examples:
Marketing Gurus I Avoid
What Never To Test In Your Ads
3. Straight Benefit
A tried-and-tested way of really enticing your online business followers is really posit a straight benefit that they could get from your reading your article. Your headline should already represent something rewarding that makes it worth their time. This usually appeals to the no-nonsense type of followers. Examples are:
How To Be Taken Seriously
10 Ways to Monetize Twitter
The Secret to Getting Unlimited Clients
4. Bizarre Blog Post Headlines
This one I am particularly interested in using! I think this gives us the chance to be very creative in choosing the right words and phrases from the bizarre, mysterious, and unknown world and translate it into our online business world.
Phantom-Pooping Prospects
The Curse of the Marketing Monsters
Bigfoot's Sales Tips
5. Play on Popular Quotes/Phrases
If all else fails in coming up with an explosive blog headline, this is a good way of getting things started. Its familiarity can actually bring people into it. Just be careful that you just don't copy the quote or phrase exactly but also add some life to it or something truly all your own.
Lazy Copywriters Have Skinny Kids
It's the Market, Stupid!
Who Let the Dawgs Out?
Say It; Don't Spray It, On Twitter
There are five more ways to writing explosive blog headlines! Don't forget to check back for the second part of this two-part series!
