10 Tips For Writing Effective Headlines

By using visuals those that attended may not remember exactly what I said but having those visuals can help them call to mind the basic ideas.  That’s the power of visuals.

How do you attract people’s attention so they attend your presentation? 

You use the right headline.  My headline was: How To Make Your Website A Lead Generating Magnet.  People wanted to know how they could gain more leads from their website so they attended.

Taking the time to learn how to write effective headlines can help you attract loyal followers and eager buyers.

Writing headlines maybe not come easily to you so here are some tips.

1) The next time you check your email take notice of which subject lines appeal to you and then think, why.  

2) Make a file with these headlines so you can go back and look for inspiration.  

Headlines

10 Tips For Writing Effective Headlines

Have you ever sat through a long sales pitch?  Afterwards what did you remember?  Probably not much of it.  Why?  It’s because the pitch was too long and boring.  Your mind started drifting to things that were more peasant or more pressing.

People tend to remember short pieces of information.  When you receive too much information your brain isn’t quite sure how you are going to process it at the moment so it remembers what it thinks is important.

Not long ago I read an article and the main point I remember: your blog posts should be 2,000 words.  Yikes!  To me that's too long and more like reading a book.   I believe people do much better with short microburst’s of information.  It’s easier for you to remember and take action on what you read.

The same principle applies to giving your presentations.  If you were giving a seminar about getting your book written the majority of your attendees would remember your topic.  They might not remember all the details such as how to go about getting book topic ideas or how to come up with your chapters.

If you used visuals in your presentation people will be more likely to remember what your presentation was about.

For example recently I gave a presentation to a group of women from Working Women Of Tampa Bay.  Using visuals I shared 10 reasons why you want to start building your email list of subscribers and 10 ways to capture their name and email.  The entire presentation was done using visuals.

The mind processes visuals 60,000 times fast than text.  Visuals can help you connect with your audience.

3) Do you read any magazines?  They can be a source of inspiration for headlines.  It’s the headlines that sell  magazines so pay attention to how they are used.

4) Use actionable words – How to do something in 3 steps...

5) Be short- try to use 8 to 10 words in your headline.  

6) Use keywords – this applies to using headlines on your blog.  Try to incorporate any keywords you are trying to rank for in your headline.

7) Be clear – ensure that you headline is clear, simple and easily understood

8) Be intriguing – add an air or mystery to your headline.  This will draw in your readers because they will be curious.

9) Be honest – never make up a headline just to capture someone’s attention and then not deliver the topic.  I’ve seen this done time after time.  The headline looks interesting and the email says nothing about what drew me in.  Will I be likely to open that persons email the next time? No.

10) Pay attention to social media.  Look for those headlines that capture your attention.

It takes time to use headlines effectively.  Don’t’ be discouraged. Sometimes you might come up with a fabulous headline and other times it might be more difficult.  Keep working at it and you will see results.

Be Savvy and Successful!

Toni Nelson - Visual Marketing, Visibility Strategist