8 Proven Headline Formulas That Grab People’s Attention
 In Copywriting
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Headlines are widely used in online marketing.  It is the most critical element in your advertising campaigns, content marketing and email marketing.  John Caples once said “If you have a good headline, you have a good ad . . . If you have a poor headline, you are licked before you start. Your copy will not be read.”  David Ogilvy said something similar  “If you haven’t done some selling in your headline, you have wasted 80% of your client’s money.”  Over the years I have collected many great headlines.  I will share with you  8 proven headline formulas that grab people’s attention.

1. How to ________

You probably see this kind of headlines everywhere.  It is simple and easy to use.  To make it attention-grabbing, you need to emphasize the benefits that people are looking for.  Examples:

      • How to win friends and influence peopleattention grabbing headline formulas
      • How to be a better writer in the next 10 minutes
      • How to create compelling content that ranks
      • How to use Twitter to improve your marketing

2. The secret(s) of ____

People are curious by nature.  We all love to find out secrets that we don’t know.  Examples:

      • The secret of successful parenting
      • The secret of losing 10 lbs in 30 days without changing your diet.
      • The secret of how to be taller
      • The secret that your doctor did not tell you

3. How I (he, she or the person’s name) _______

This headline introduces a compelling story that people are interested to know.  Examples:

      • How I made my first million dollar online in 30 days
      • How I retired at age 40 – with a guaranteed income for life
      • How I raised myself from failure to success in selling
      • How I earn my living in 4 hours a week

4. Get rid of ____ once and for all

This kind of headlines satisfies people’s desire for a quick and long-term solution for a nagging problem. Examples:

      • Get rid of body odor once and for all
      • Get rid of ants in your kitchen once and for all
      • Get rid of your debt once and for all

5. Warning: _________________

A headline that starts with “Warning” is very powerful.  It instantly grabs people’s attention.  It works extremely well when it follows a problem.

      • Warning: you are paying too much for your toner cartridges
      • Warning: two-thirds of the middle managers in your industry will lose their jobs in the next 36 months

6. Who else wants to ______

This kind of headlines implies that a lot of other people know something the reader doesn’t.  People like to be part of a community. If they see other people do one thing, they’ll most likely do the same. Examples:

      • Who else wants to work from home?
      • Who else wants to play golf like a pro?

7. _____ ways to _______

Similar to the “How to __” headlines, this formula reveals just a little more to arouse people’s interest. Examples:

      • 10 ways to make money online
      • 5 ways to double your affiliate sales
      • 10 ways to cut down your advertising cost

8. _____  that every _____ needs to know

This type of headlines works so well because of people’s inquisitive nature.  Examples:

      • 10 privacy settings every Facebook user needs to know
      • 10 holiday recipes that every mom needs to know

Want more attention-grabbing headlines? Read 100 great classical headlines compiled by Victor Schwab.

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