How to Write a Headline That Works

Do you ever wonder why some headlines work… and others fall flat?

Well, you’re not alone. As you probably know, the headline is the most vital part of your copy–because your headline is the first (and maybe only) impression you make on a prospective reader.

So if your headline doesn’t instantly grab your reader’s attention and urge her to continue reading, the rest of your copy might as well not exist.

But your headline can do more than just grab your reader’s attention. It can also communicate a full message to your desired audience… and must always, always, lure your reader into the rest of your body copy.

So what are the mandatory ingredients of a great headline? Start with these three principles:

1. Self-interest

Great headlines must always communicate a benefit to the reader. They must clearly tell what’s in it for them.

For example, the following headline shows an obvious benefit:

“How to Burn More Calories in Less Time”

“How to Get Stronger in 14 Days”

2. Newsworthiness

Newsworthy headlines communicate something new, drawing your reader in.

A newsworthy headline might be modeled on the following:

“New Exercise DOUBLES Your Metabolism!”

“New Study Shows Dieting Bad for Your Health”

3. Curiosity

Curiosity is often the difference between your reader’s full attention and clicking immediately to the next page. Because curiosity is what ultimately grabs your reader’s attention and pulls her into your copy. She just has to know more.

A curiosity-based headline could be similar to the following:

“Long-Lost Herb Found to Burn Twice as Many Carbs”

“Why Gaining Five Pounds Made Me a Better Athlete”

But what if you know the fundamentals of crafting a rockstar headline, but you’re still stuck?

Don’t worry, you can use these…

10 Proven Headline Templates

Writing a great headline isn’t nearly as difficult as it seems. Because the truth is that there are dozens of proven templates available, templates that have worked for decades, and will continue to work for decades more.

Here are 10 proven templates you can use for your own headlines:

1. “Are You Making These [Blank] Mistakes?”

Example: Are you Making These Common Diet Mistakes?

2.” # Reasons Why [Blank]”

Example: 7 Reasons You Should Start Lifting Weights Today

3. “The Secret to [Blank]”

Example: The Secret to Losing Weight and Keeping it Off

4. “The Shocking Truth About [Blank]”

Example: “The Shocking Truth About Trans Fats”

5.” [#] Warning Signs That [Blank]”

Example: “5 Warning Signs That You’re Eating the Wrong Foods”

6. “How to Take Charge of Your [Blank]”

Example: “How to Take Charge of Your Child’s Junk Food Addiction”

7. “The Minimalist Guide to [Blank]”

Example: “The Minimalist Guide to Healthy Eating on the Go”

8.” [#] [Blank] Hacks: A Cheat Sheet for [Blank]”

Example: “21 Fat Burning Hacks: A Cheat Sheet for Burning More Calories in Less Time”

9. “Do [Something] like [Famous Person]: # Ways to [Blank]

Example: “Work Out Like a Spartan: 9 Ways to Gain Superhuman Strength”

10. “How to [Blank]”

Example: “How to Get a Better Workout in Less Time”