When it comes to marketing, every business needs to have high-quality content. It helps in improving search rankings and also encourages customers to buy your product or services.
But how do you make your articles stand out? Headlines are a key factor in attracting people to your content. They need to be written carefully and correctly so they can attract the right readers.
1. Use a question
One of the most effective ways to get a reader’s attention and make them take notice of your words is with a question. A good question will engage your readers and keep them thinking and engaged, which is what you want in any type of content – whether it’s a website, brochure or blog post.
Asking questions is a pro-copywriting trick that’s been around for centuries, and it’s still useful today. You can use questions in headlines and the body of your copy, but there are a few things to know before you go asking a question.
First, a question is an interrogative sentence or clause, and it must include a question mark (?). The question mark is a punctuation symbol that looks like a hooked line with a dot underneath it.
Second, questions are a great way to prompt readers to think, which is another pro-copywriting tip. According to marketing professor Henrick Hagtvedt at Boston College, people actually appreciate asking questions that invite them to think about the information they are reading.
Third, a question is a great way to add a little zing to your copy and make it stand out from the competition. You can even use questions to encourage your audience to share your content on social media or comment on it.
Using questions can be tricky, and you need to know what kind of question you are asking to ensure it’s effective. There are four main types of questions that you can use in your content: a yes/no question, a rhetorical question, an open-ended question and a question with multiple answers.
2. Use a number
Numbers are a great way to grab the attention of your readers. They also help your content stand out on the Internet, and can even improve search engine rankings.
The right numbers can help you entice your readers to keep reading your blog post, and can make them want to click on a link to your site or engage further with you. They’re also a time-honored trigger for the human brain.
Using a number can be especially effective when writing list posts. This is because readers are attracted to numbers that are easy for them to skim, so using big numbers works well when composing a list of tips or ideas.
For example, a number like 7 in the headline of an article about how to stop procrastinating can compel readers to scan the entire piece. Similarly, a number like 100 in a post about how to create a perfect website can attract readers who are looking for a comprehensive guide.
Another important tip for using numbers to write catchy content is to use a digit, not a spelled-out word. Experts have found that odd numbers work better on the Web, and this is a good rule of thumb when creating your headline.
The number can be anything, but it should compel your audience to read the rest of the article. This will increase your chances of gaining valuable feedback from your readers, and will increase the likelihood that they’ll share your content on social media or email. It’s also a good idea to include a call-to-action within the headline of your post, so that you can get your readers to take action once they’ve finished reading.
3. Use an emotion
Emotion is a key factor in attracting, connecting, and engaging your audience. It’s also a great way to make your content memorable and irresistible, especially when used in conjunction with your call-to-action.
In fact, emotions are so powerful that they can impact the way your audience decides to buy from you or share your content with others. That’s why the majority of successful marketers rely on emotional marketing to make their copy catchy and compelling.
For example, a campaign that evokes fear, anger, or excitement can be far more effective than a story that focuses on logic alone. In fact, studies show that emotional responses to ads can influence intent to purchase by as much as 3-to-1.
This is why emotional marketing should be considered an essential element of any marketing plan, regardless of the type of business. Consumers make countless decisions every day, and emotion is the fuel that drives those decisions.
As a result, it’s crucial to know how your audience feels and what kinds of emotions they want to feel before you start writing your marketing. For instance, if you’re a venture capital firm, your target audience might be feeling like they aren’t getting enough attention or being taken seriously as an entrepreneur.
The best way to find out what your audience is feeling is to conduct some serious research into your audience. This can include talking to your customers directly or observing their online behavior, which can give you a good idea of what they’re dealing with and how you can connect with them on an emotional level.
A quick tip for including emotion in your writing: follow your energy! Read your words aloud to yourself, or to a friend.
You may be surprised at how quickly your enthusiasm translates into the words you’re writing. Then, go back and see if there are any spots where you could be adding more emotion.
Once you’ve done that, try to use a wide range of emotions in your writing. That way, your readers can experience different feelings, and you can create a deeper reading experience for them.
4. Use a call-to-action
A call-to-action is an important part of any online marketing campaign. It tells your audience what to do next and helps you convert readers into customers.
The best call-to-action ideas are those that get the attention of your visitors right away. The simplest way to do this is to make the button or text bigger than the rest of the page. You can also use a bright color against a contrasting background to catch people’s attention.
Using a unique font for your CTA can be a great way to draw attention to it, as well. For example, a call-to-action that resembles a heart can be a great way to attract attention, as long as it makes sense for your brand’s aesthetic.
A call-to-action that doesn’t resemble a button can be confusing for users and may even lead them to ignore it entirely. This is especially true if the button’s color or shape don’t match your brand’s logo and design style.
You should always make your CTA as clear and concise as possible, so be sure to include action words such as “Buy now,” “Sign up,” or “Get started.” These verbs provide an easy way to tell your visitors what you want them to do and elicit the desired response from them.
If you’re writing a blog post, you can also use text hyperlinks to send your readers elsewhere online. These are typically text that’s colored in a different color or underlined, and could be used to lead readers to a video, another website, or anywhere else digitally.
The call-to-action in this video advertisement from Orangetheory Fitness is a great example of how to use a creative CTA. It combines a fun photo with information about an offer that’s only available for a limited time.
When writing a creative call-to-action, remember to match your brand’s personality and tone of voice. This will help you stand out from competitors and encourage more people to click on your button.
Finally, be sure to differentiate your call-to-action from other options on the page by stating why it’s relevant. This can be done in a few ways, including using language that is more relatable to your target market and making the CTA more valuable to them.
