Does this Headline

If you are reading this first sentence then the answer is yes.

You see, the objective of the headline is to get the reader to keep reading.

Whether it’s an article, a sales letter, an ezine ad or just the subject heading in an email, the objective of the headline is to get the reader to read more than just the headline. To read the next ‘bit’.

So what makes this headline an attention grabber?

Let’s look at 4 points within this headline that makes it grab the readers attention.

1. Ask a Question

If you ask a question in your headline then the reader is inclined to want to answer the question themselves. The reader is intrigued. This prompts the reader to read on. Asking a question is one of the best ways to ‘grab’ the attention.

2. Use Inverted Commas

Use inverted commas around a single word as I have done, or around a group of words or the whole headline. The inverted commas themselves actually highlight something that the reader can latch on to. If you had 10 headlines and 1 had inverted commas around it, then it’s more likely it would be the most read headline.

There is another benefit to using inverted commas around the whole headline. It often means that in an alphabetical list of headlines you will be near the top. This is because inverted commas come before the letter A.

3. Capitalize the First Letter of Each Major Word in the Headline

Capitalizing each ‘major’ word in the headline grabs the readers attention. However do not capitalize every word. Do not capitalize words such as ‘a’, ‘the’, ‘of’, ‘to’, ‘on’, ‘in’ and ‘an’ unless they are the first word of the headline. It’s just not necessary.

Take a look at the ‘headline’ above for point 3. The words ‘the’, ‘of’ and ‘in’ are not capitalized. Let’s see what this headline would look like if they were:

Capitalize The First Letter Of Each Major Word In The Headline

It just does not impress as much. There is no distinction between the words. The ‘major’ words do not stand out as much.

However, in the headline under point 3 the following groups of words stand out more because they are separated by the not so important words:

Capitalize

First Letter

Each Major Word

Headline

4. Use powerful words

Grab is a powerful word. So is Free. Even Powerful is a powerful word for that matter. Try and have at least 1 and maybe 2 powerful words in your headline. These powerful words will draw in the readers attention and prompt them to keep reading.

Use these 4 techniques to help you write better headlines. Get the headline wrong and there is no use writing the article, the ezine ad or the sales letter.

Get the headline right and you are half way to making the sale or obtaining a new ezine subscriber.

About the Author

Article by David McKenzie of brisney.com For great ideas on promoting your web site or marketing your affiliate programs subscribe to our Free twice monthly newsletter by sending a blank email to brisney@brisney.com

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