7 More Sure-Fire Headline Templates
That Work

by Brian Clark

Since people truly seemed to find my 10 Sure-Fire Headline Templates That Work useful for coming up with headlines and post titles that don’t follow the typical “how to” and “list” conventions, I thought I’d share a few more.

So here are 7 more sure-fire headline templates that will work when you’re aiming to score more readers:

1. Give Me [short time period] and I’ll Give You [blank].

This headline promises a strong benefit to the reader, like all good headlines do. But this one is especially effective because it promises to deliver in a very short time period.

Give Me Five Days – And I’ll Give You the Secret of Learning any Subject!
Give Me Three Minutes a Day – and I’ll Give You a Better Complexion.
Give Me 3 Minutes and I’ll Make You a Better Blogger.

2. If You Don’t [blank] Now, You’ll Hate Yourself Later.

We love to belong, but feeling excluded is a real bummer. Whether it be a financial opportunity or the social event of the year, we simply hate it when we get left out.

If You’re Out of the Market Now, You’ll Hate Yourself Later.
If You’re Not at SXSW 2007, You’ll Hate Yourself Later.
If You Don’t Edit Your .htaccess Now, Google Will Hate You Later.

3. The Lazy [blank’s] Way to [blank].

This headline has always worked well with time-pressured people, and that’s certainly true for most people today. No one likes to think of themselves as lazy, but everyone likes to save time and effort.

The Lazy Man’s Way to Riches.
The Lazy Dad’s Way to Quickly Getting Dinner on the Table.
The Lazy Blogger’s Way to Write Great Post Titles.

4. Do You Recognize the [number] Early Warning Signs of [blank]?

OK, technically this is still a list, but it’s wrapped up in a much more compelling structure than your typical “Top 10” article. People want to avoid problems, and this headline promises the critical tips before it’s too late.

Do You Recognize the 7 Early Warning Signs of High Blood Pressure?
Do You Recognize the 7 Early Warning Signs of an Employee Meltdown?
Do You Recognize the 7 Early Warning Signs of Digg Addiction?

5. See How Easily You Can [desirable result].

We love quick and easy when it comes to learning something new or gaining some advantage.

See How Easily You Can Learn to Dance This New Way.
See How Easily You Can Own a Lamborghini Miura.
See How Easily You Can Increase Traffic With Social Media.

6. You Don’t Have to Be [something challenging] to be [desired result].

People almost always have preconceived notions about things, and this can be a barrier to taking action. Remove the barrier that stands between them and the desired result with your headline, and people will flock to read what you have to say.

You Don’t Have to Be Rich to Retire on a Guaranteed Income for Life.
You Don’t Have to Be a Geek to Make Money Online.
You Don’t Have to Be an A-Lister to Be a Kick-Ass Blogger.

7. Do You Make These Mistakes?

This is always a powerful attention grabber, since no one likes to make mistakes. If you’ve targeted your content well for your intended audience, helping people avoid common mistakes is a sure-fire winner with this type of headline.

Do You Make These Mistakes in English?
Do You Make These Ajax Coding Mistakes?
Do You Make These Mistakes With Your Blog?

Find these headline templates useful? Bookmark this page at del.icio.us for future reference. :)

For more headline advice, check out the Magnetic Headlines series.

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155 comments... add one

#1 Dave → 11.01.06 at 11:03 pm

This is by far THE best post you have ever made. Writing headlines has always been a problem for me. Your “templates” just saved me some money i was going to spend on a copywriter :)

Cheers Brian!
#2 Michael Stelzner → 11.01.06 at 11:47 pm

Brian - I like your 7th one the best.

I still like questions the most for blog headlines however.

Mike
#3 Mike → 11.02.06 at 12:16 am

Really useful and really good.
#4 Give Brian 5 Minutes and He’ll Give you a Killer Headline for Your Next Blog Post! → 11.02.06 at 12:26 am

[…] Brian is at it again with 7 More Sure-Fire Headline Templates That Work over at Copyblogger. If you enjoyed this post Subscribe to the Free ProBlogger Newsletter […]
#5 M → 11.02.06 at 12:39 am

The headline formulas are great, but the problem is if i sticked to them (and the ones in your other posts), my headlines would be “canned”.

How about you teach us how to come up with an attractive headline instead of reusing a template? :) (if you haven’t already)
#6 Rodney Olsen → 11.02.06 at 12:46 am

Thanks. I’ll definitely be back for more.
#7 Chris Williams → 11.02.06 at 2:07 am

Headline templates! Any more like this and you might have to start charging, Brian. I’m nabbing the last one in particular (works very well on cerebral types like me).
#8 Roshawn → 11.02.06 at 2:32 am

Another “smooth” one, Brian. I tell ya, if I had your brain, I’d get rid of mine! :-P
#9 Ming 2.0 → 11.02.06 at 4:52 am

thanks! i’m sure i’m going to be seeing alot of great examples of this soon:)
#10 Richard Hearne → 11.02.06 at 4:59 am

So timely for you to make such a great post.

Please tell me your book is almost finished ;-)

Just watching you over on tubetorial now!
#11 Andrew J → 11.02.06 at 5:29 am

Very useful. Thanks again Brian.
#12 Dave Navarro → 11.02.06 at 5:35 am

Brian -

Great post - it’s good to see some advice on “non-list” posts.

Tubetorial? Heading over there today …
#13 Paowiee → 11.02.06 at 6:40 am

Brian,

Great post! I was looking for some quick fixes for a new headline and was absolutely stuck… I combined two of the seven and my headline sounds a lot better now!

Thanks!
#14 Need an attention grabbing headling for your next blog post? → 11.02.06 at 8:35 am

[…] Head on over to CopyBlogger who is offering up 7 headline templates that are sure to get your blog post noticed. Just fill in the [blank]. […]
#15 Tim → 11.02.06 at 9:56 am

Brian, this is great information for people who are pressed for coming up with a workable headline for their ads and emails.

Great post.
#16 John Harper → 11.02.06 at 10:15 am

Netvibes can’t subscribe to your site. It says invalid feed. Bummerrr
#17 The Secret of Sure-Fire Headlines « Midspot → 11.02.06 at 10:49 am

[…] Copyblogger has a great collection of headlines that grab attention. I have condensed them below: […]
#18 Miasma → 11.02.06 at 10:52 am

Actually I find these headlines both evil AND spurious.

The presumption behind each and every one of them is that the author is an authority on whatever the headline is about. What this will spawn is a ton of half-baked folks declaring themselves instant authorities (add water and stir?) on whatever topics they decide to hold forth about, with the “voice” of the headline fueling a POV that is intellectually insulting to anyone who reads it.

Please understand, I am all about empowering writers to learn to feel the force of their own voices, their own authority. What I object to is advocating anti-intellectual authoritarianism as the best way to do this.

We need a world with MORE critical thinking and questioning. We don’t need to be conditioning audiences to be MORE sonambulistic and sheep-like followers of authorities than they already are.

Preaching to would-be bloggers that they should adopt a preachy, authoritarian tone in their headlines tells them, 1. that authorities rule the world and people always obediently do what they are told, and 2. that if you want to have power, to be empowered, you should assume the narrow-minded, brook-no-argument stance of a voice-of-god authority, and do your best to create your own flock of mindless sheep who will do whatever you tell them.

Argument from authority is nothing more than the parental “because I said so” argument. It is intellectually thin, vapid, and ridiculous. Laughable to any critical thinkers who actually demand substance and support behind any presumed authority claiming to tell THEM what to do.

Truly empowered critical thinkers and writers will have no use for such rhetorical ploys, nor will they willingly follow such rhetorical constructs without serious questions, questions that I doubt can be answered without a begging-the-question referral to SEO.

Miasma
#19 Brian → 11.02.06 at 11:21 am Copyblogger

>>Truly empowered critical thinkers and writers will have no use for such rhetorical ploys…

Wrong.

I suppose things have changed since the days of Aristotle, a famed critical thinker and rhetorical master?

No, they haven’t.

Technology doesn’t change human nature, and most business-oriented bloggers *are* an authority on what they write about, or they shouldn’t be writing about it.

I’m not unsympathetic to the postition you take, but this a *marketing* blog. I’m not sure why you read it, and you’re welcome to… but I’m not sure why you would want to given your feelings.
#20 James D. Brausch → 11.02.06 at 12:31 pm

I’ve never been called “evil and spurious” by one of my blog readers.

You just keep besting me at everything… don’t you Brian?

I was once called an insufferable cad. It was the first time I had to look up a three letter word to see what it meant. That just doesn’t compare to evil and spurious though.

I’m jealous.

-James D. Brausch
#21 Chris P. → 11.02.06 at 12:57 pm

Miasma,

Basically, you’re assuming that your audience is both intelligent, ethereal, and overly skeptical — all at the same time.

Seeing how you apply that kind of external pressure to yourself through your blog’s readers, I don’t see how you can bring yourself to face the world each day!

You’re not suffering from agoraphobia, are ya? ;)

Seriously, though. The bottom line here is that as long as you consistently produce genuine, thoughtful content, no one is going to look at your words as a mere “rhetorical ploy.”

And if you ever want to sell anything, avoiding these headlines would be like pushing the big red button that says “don’t push.”
#22 Brian → 11.02.06 at 12:58 pm Copyblogger

I would give you this one James, if I could. :)
#23 Vincent Toms → 11.02.06 at 1:01 pm

Thanks for the great tips. I’ll use these on my blog going forward.
#24 News Doggy - Fetched News » 7 More Sure-Fire Headline Templates That Work → 11.02.06 at 1:13 pm

[…] An excellent Copyblogger article on how to write a catchy headline.read more | digg story […]
#25 Mel → 11.02.06 at 1:46 pm

Are you kidding me? These are all at least 30 years old, straight from direct mail.

Walk to your mailbox and write me another set of canned headlines.
#26 Carl Godfrey → 11.02.06 at 1:56 pm

I’m afraid I must be somewhat unusual. I purposefully ignore most articles with headlines following the formats you mention because more often than not they are followed by some painful advertising ploy. Using one of these types of headlines is a sure-fire way to discourage me from reading the associated article / blog post.
#27 Nogz Blogz 3.4 » Link Dumping… → 11.02.06 at 2:01 pm

[…] 7 More Sure-Fire Headline Templates That Work | Copyblogger […]
#28 Ivan Minic → 11.02.06 at 2:15 pm

Brilliant post as always :)
#29 Brian → 11.02.06 at 2:54 pm Copyblogger

Mel, yep, and the structures still work. Why not leave your website URL so we can see your work?

Carl, you read this one. :)
#30 Glenn (Customer Service Experience)Ross → 11.02.06 at 3:15 pm

Miasma,

Your comment would have carried more weight had you suggested some alternative headlines.
#31 Crazykinux → 11.02.06 at 3:46 pm

Worked like a charm!

Though I did not use one of your templates specifically, I worded my bait in a similar way. I saw my daily stats triple!!
#32 Daaayummm.... → 11.02.06 at 3:50 pm

Ummm but you’re not even following your own advice!

Just look at the title of your article, it does not use any of the patterns you tell us to use.

What Now?
#33 Brian → 11.02.06 at 3:55 pm Copyblogger

Ummm… maybe because there’s a lot more than 7 (or 17) ways to write a headline that works?

What now?

Stay away from sharp objects…
#34 Jeff → 11.02.06 at 4:35 pm

Very awesome article here, l love it.. great work and please share more ideas and insights!!!
#35 Andy Beard → 11.02.06 at 4:59 pm

@ Miasma

Brian is actually applying to blogging the same techniques that have been used for years with:-

Direct Marketing
Email Marketing
Headline for minisite sales letters
Article Titles for syndication

There are hundreds of professional copywriters that teach these techniques (because they work), and they are employed by thousands of legitimate companies.

Bloggers still haven’t grasped that what people are looking for isn’t facts, but solutions to their problems.

A title or headline shouldn’t provide the “features” of your article.

What it should provide are the “benefits” of reading it.
#36 webduck → 11.02.06 at 6:55 pm

Brian, I appreciate your help and blog so much that I have written an article about it on Gather.com. And today, it is being featured in one of the groups I belong to, “Post What Doesn’t Fit Anywhere Else” @ http://www.noplacelikehere.gather.com

Cheers!!
#37 vickeybird → 11.03.06 at 3:24 am

Hey wait a min, Your current headline in not one of these but still here i am, my first visit here.
Maybe you should add it to the list :)
#38 LIVEdigitally » Blog Archive » links for 2006-11-03 → 11.03.06 at 3:35 am

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#39 David Krug → 11.03.06 at 7:02 am

Brian,
I’ve stolen your templates and uploaded 100,000 new unique articles into my draft folder of wordpress thanks man. Endless supply of ideas to last literally until the end of my life.

Thanks Bro.
#40 Char → 11.03.06 at 7:27 am

Another great post. Thanks for the education!
#41 Recommended reading for November 3 - Blogging Expertise - blog design, installation, and consulting → 11.03.06 at 1:24 pm

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[…] I just came across 7 Sure-Fire Headlines, and I think I’m going to have to look at more of what this blog has to offer. As a new blogger, writing the headline can be tricky. On one hand you want it to catch a potential readers eye, not be too long, but you don’t want to link-bait too much either. […]
#43 Tips for Headlines That Work by Blogging Pro → 11.03.06 at 2:02 pm

[…] Copyblogger has released some more headline templates that will help your articles get the recognition they deserve. I know that I for one am not the greatest headline writer, and that can effect how well received something I write is. […]
#44 Richard → 11.03.06 at 3:32 pm

Although I don’t always use them as well as I should, I’ve learned many, many helpful things from you and Pearson.

Many thanks Brian!
#45 Another Way To Write Your Headlines That Work at How Internet Business Works → 11.04.06 at 10:54 am

[…] Instead of the common “How To..” headline formulas there are few other ways, according to Brian Clark from copyblogger, for you to write your attention-grabbing headlines. I found this very informative post from copyblogger which I think is useful for all those Internet Marketer to try. […]
#46 Ana → 11.04.06 at 2:41 pm

Thank you! This is a wonderful post. I’m off to use them.
#47 Bucktowndusty → 11.04.06 at 4:31 pm

Miasma,

Ohh, how EVER did you even finish reading the entire post through…with all 7 of Brian’s rhetorical-ploy-landmines in your way? Surely, you would have exited after suffering the effects of the first, and surely we would expect nothing less of you than you NOT stooping to leave a comment in such a place.

I’m no marketer, but I’d say Brian got inside your head and made you respond like a puppet on a string.

You could video tape and sell the exorcism of Brian from your mind and call it “7 critical steps to exorcisms”.

Regards
Buck
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#51 Elise → 11.06.06 at 11:47 am

Brian,
It is far too often that great articles go completely to waste due to the lack of time put into arguably the most important element of the article… the headline. The importance of writing a brilliant headline sometimes falls to the wayside because writers are so focused on ensuring great content in the heart of the article. The tendancy to overlook this vital element can cost a great article to be laid to rest before anyone has had the opportunity to take a glimpse. Ideas for effective headlines always help! So thanks!
#52 all over IT → 11.07.06 at 10:50 am

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#53 Peter Lee → 11.08.06 at 3:10 am

I often see your advices being applied especially by prestigious blogs like lifehacker.com or businesshackers.com Good luck!
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#58 7 Secrets to Successful Blogging! » Confessions of an Executive Restaurant Recruiter → 11.11.06 at 12:12 pm

[…] Any how, back to the story. I visited Janet’s blog was reading along and saw her recommendation for a site called Copyblogger. And she also pointed out an article about how to write headlines that sell. Really good stuff in there and some talented people who are participating in a really neat ‘giveback‘ to the blogging community. I got to thinking that one of the things that I haven’t been doing very well is writing compelling headlines for my blogs. Let’s face it headlines sell, they draw you into the story. And what every blog needs is people to read the content. It’s like the old question, if a tree fell in the forest and no one was there to hear it, would it make a sound… well if you write posts for a blog but no one reads them, is it really a blog. So improving headlines seemed like one of the keys to successful blogging. […]
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#60 See how easily you can attract readers’ attention « Learning to network → 11.17.06 at 5:01 pm

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#62 A Bugged Life » Blog Archive » 10 Sure-fire “In Your Face Headlines” That *Might* Work → 12.04.06 at 1:57 am

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#63 Speedlinking November 5 2006 → 12.05.06 at 9:54 am

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#64 Bill’s Blog » Blog Archive » The Secret of Writing a Good Blog → 12.06.06 at 3:42 pm

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#67 The Best of Copyblogger (According to Time Magazine’s Person of the Year) | Copyblogger → 12.21.06 at 11:12 pm

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#68 Evolving Times » Why My Blog Headlines Suck And How I Can Improve Them → 12.29.06 at 10:51 am

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#69 Yahoo! Publisher Network » Blog Archive » Leveraging Linkbait → 01.18.07 at 2:34 pm

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#70 Andrew Cavanagh → 01.20.07 at 10:01 am

This is a nice post.

Getting yourself a nice big swipe file of proven headlines can improve your copy immeasurably.

Here’s a funny one…

“Do You Recognize the 7 Early Warning Signs of a Ripped Off Headline?

Sorry…couldn’t resist.

Kindest regards,
Andrew Cavanagh
#71 Today is that Day » Blog Archive » Do you Make this Conscious Creation Blunder? → 01.28.07 at 12:54 pm

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#74 Nirlog.com » Blog Archive » List of Blogging Checklists → 02.02.07 at 10:30 am

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#76 eMoms at Home » Blog Archive » Super Bowl Secrets to Blogging Like a Champion → 02.05.07 at 1:49 pm

[…] By the way, I frequently visit Brian’s Headline Templates when I get stuck. And I am starting up my own swipe file, just because this is such a critical component to blogging success. ~ […]
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[…] Some things remain constant… the headline and the opening are the most important words on the page. Check out how Andy Hagan’s uses these headline cheat sheets in his viral link building practice, but don’t forget about the importance of your opening paragraph. […]
#79 Mike Schinkel → 02.06.07 at 7:24 pm

Is it me, or does all this emphasis on how to get traffic by using catching headings just seem short-sighted? At first I was interested in learning how to write better headlines, but after reading numerous articles on the subject it seems all the emphasis is on snagging clicks instead of on writing useful and compelling content.

If every blog story has a headline like those headline will become ineffective anyway as people who click the links and find nothing useful and then ask “Where’s the beef?” and starting mentally filtering out those kinds of articles.

It seems like these suggestions for writing headlines are offered like how people offer “exercise-free diet pills” and people who want results without any effort just lap them us. Isn’t it better to pick a niche and focus on becoming the authority in that niche then to focus on writing click-catching headlines for
vacuous content?
#80 Brian → 02.06.07 at 7:49 pm Copyblogger

Who said anything about vacuous content? As I’ve said at least 50 times, the headline is a promise your content fulfills.

I’m guessing you’re not a regular reader. ;)
#81 Mike Schinkel → 02.06.07 at 8:04 pm

Sorry, I should have made clear my rant was in general because there are lots of blog posts like this on other sites, not specifically about your post. And it was also more from the impressions I get from many commenters (which may be wrong impressions) that they are looking for the pain-free quick-fix solution. I guess my comments were more to make the point then to criticize.

One point of note, though, since many people come to a blog from links on other people’s site or in their emails or even Digg, it’s important to understand that posts should be made to standalone. I guess it would have been better if you had included the following (in bold) to close your post:

“REMEMBER, great headlines with poor content are worse than getting no links at all because you’ll brand yourself as being opportunistic and vacuous. So if you don’t have great content first be sure to create great content before using any of these headlines. You’ll thank yourself for it in the morning. :)”
#82 Mike Schinkel → 02.06.07 at 8:05 pm

BTW, your comment system ate my begin and end “rant” tags from my first comment. :)
#83 Listerate » Blog Archive » 5 + 10 + 7 Social Media Headline Formulas → 02.17.07 at 5:32 pm

[…] Pronet Advertising: 5 Sure-Fire Social Media Headline Formulas That Work: Eg., Increase Your [Blank] within [short time period]. See also, Copyblogger’s List of 10 surefire headline formulas that work and Copyblogger’s 7 more sure-fire headlines. “Sure Fire” and “that work” seem to magical words too. Thumbs down to Pronet for being totally uncreative in copying copyblogger’s title. […]
#84 Two powerful tips for better cold calls | Salesteamtools.com → 02.20.07 at 3:22 pm

[…] Make prospects an offer. Focus on one powerful benefit you provide people, write a 1-2 page, personal letter to offer it, give it an interest-generating headline (see the bottom of this post for a list of resources), and end with a specific call to action that includes a tangible reward for them contacting you. Great articles to read to get you going on this can be found here, here, here, here, here, and here. […]
#85 Brandon Hopkins → 03.02.07 at 1:31 pm

You’re holding out on us! Give us “5 tips for using numbers in a headine!”
#86 Brandon Hopkins → 03.02.07 at 1:36 pm

Or you could write a whole post series about how effective numbers can be when used in a title…
#87 Yahooeu.BIZ » Blog Archive » Заголовки, которые работают на вас → 03.14.07 at 4:38 pm

[…] по материалам 7 More Sure-Fire Headline Templates That Work и 10 Sure-Fire Headline Formulas That Work March 14th, 2007 […]
#88 Web Design Ireland → 03.26.07 at 6:10 am

I have added Copyblogger to my Blog. Great post with all sorts of ideas to making headlines that sell.

Stephen
#89 Het AIDA principe in zoekmachine optimalisatie - chapter42 → 03.29.07 at 7:07 am

[…] . Denk bijvoorbeeld aan: Heeft u ook wel eens. Ziet u wat ik zie? Copyblogger heeft hierover een aantal tips […]
#90 50 All Time favorite blogging resources » A blog you can use! → 04.17.07 at 6:27 pm

[…] headline formulas you see over and over, and add some new blood to your attention-grabbing arsenal. 7 More Sure-Fire Headline Templates That Work Tips to Better Blogging Structured Blogging - Structured Blogging is all about giving bloggers the […]
#91 Knowledge Networth » See How Easily You Can Create Effective Headlines → 04.25.07 at 12:05 am

[…] Copy Blogger Permalink […]
#92 10 Secrets to Marketing with Social News Sites - Digg, Reddit, StumbleUpon and more at It-ReView → 04.25.07 at 7:44 am

[…] is Copyblogger, he has 2 articles on this topic: 10 Sure-Fire Headline Formats that Work and 7 More Sure-Fire Headline Templates that Work. You can see I took one of his headline templates for this […]
#93 Mike → 05.01.07 at 5:37 pm

One of the key points to remember when constructing headlines is are you using the “hot words” and “hot phrases” that will trigger a response in your target market. The headline is really nothing more than a place holder for inserting these “hot words and phrases”.
#94 Andrew Cavanagh → 05.23.07 at 5:11 pm

Do You Recognize the [number] Early Warning Signs of [blank]?

might be more powerful as

Do You Recognize THESE 7 Early Warning Signs of etc.

The word “these” instead of “the” suggests you’re about to reveal the signs in your copy which builds the desire to read on.

In much the same way as
“Do You Make THESE Mistakes in English” is far more powerful than many of the earlier versions of this copy which all failed with headlines like

“Do You Make The 7 Biggest English Mistakes”.

Kindest regards,
Andrew Cavanagh
#95 Yolanda Crisostomo → 05.25.07 at 10:07 pm

I was wondering if these headlines can be used more than once?

Thanks, I found your site through “the Jenn” and Small Business Briefs Forum.

Yolanda Crisostomo
Maui, HI
#96 EmpowerWomenNow.com - Women entrepreneurs blog. An International Women Entrepreneur's Online Resource Center with free tips, tools, resources, networking and mentoring → 05.29.07 at 9:31 am

[…] use his templates here and here, and they made a huge […]
#97 Net Writing » 7 Easy Ways to Create Eye catching Titles → 06.03.07 at 11:25 am

[…] 7 More headline templates at Copyblogger […]
#98 Net Writing » Why A Good Title is Essential → 06.03.07 at 11:28 am

[…] How to Write a Good Title […]
#99 small business marketing » Blog Archive » What It Takes To Become an A-List Blogger and Join ‘The Blogging Elite’ → 06.05.07 at 2:33 am

[…] to craft catchy, linkable headlines for individual […]
#100 3 Headline Resources That Will Make You a Millionaire | ranktopseo.com → 06.11.07 at 11:11 pm

[…] – 7 More Sure-Fire Headline Formulas That Work […]
#101 7 Links To Check Out Before Writing Your Next Headline… » Copywriting And Internet Advertising Blog By Stephen Dean - Copywriter → 06.19.07 at 1:04 am

[…] 7 More Sure-Fire Headline Formulas That Work […]
#102 Jonathan → 06.19.07 at 8:46 am

I agree!
#103 An Idiot’s Guide To Heroic Headlines → 06.25.07 at 11:20 pm

[…] to Copyblogger once again for some invaluable information. Brian never fails to […]
#104 Justin VerBerg → 07.06.07 at 1:13 pm

I think if you could craft headlines that grab the attention of prospective customers AND also help a site to rank well with search engines, you’d be a rich person. If someone wants to write headlines for Google AdWords, it’s easier because you pay per click so it doesn’t matter how “relevant” they are to a search engine; however, it’s challenging because we’re trying to market http://www.lumensflashlights.com without using Adwords, but it seems that the headlines Google favor may not necessarily grab our target audience. If anyone has any valuable resources, please let us know! Thanks, Justin
#105 Tips for Starting a Business Blog – Grow Your Business → 07.10.07 at 10:24 am

[…] Consider what insights you can give into your trade, tips you can offer other people in the industry, or advice you can give customers looking for a business like yours. Common post themes include seven tips, how tos, and subject guides. In fact, for a really good list of inspirational blog titles, head to the excellent Copyblogger. […]
#106 BlogGig.com » Blog Archive » 7 Tools to Help You Write Better Blog Headlines → 07.12.07 at 4:59 pm

[…] 5. 10 Sure-Fire Headline Formulas that Work 6. 7 More Sure-Fire Headline Templates that Work […]
#107 Philippine Webmaster Blog - Paradise Philippines | Building Links Like A Madman → 07.13.07 at 7:17 am

[…] You would start with how to make sure fire headlines . You proceed to creating contents with hooks. 7 More Sure-Fire Headline Templates That Work 10 Sure-Fire Headline Formulas That Work The Link Baiting Playbook: Hooks Revisited Andy Hagans’ […]
#108 Stop Shooting Viral Marketing Blanks, Stupid. | Online Marketing with Jacob Wolfsheimer - WolfTrust.com → 07.19.07 at 1:27 pm

[…] 1. Title sticks out in a crowd. If you’re writing titles like, “Internet Marketer’s Viral Suggestions,” […]
#109 10 Secrets to Marketing with Social News Sites at Blogging Times @ XY35.COM → 07.27.07 at 3:58 am

[…] is Copyblogger, he has 2 articles on this topic: 10 Sure-Fire Headline Formats that Work and 7 More Sure-Fire Headline Templates that Work. You can see I took one of his headline templates for this […]
#110 All in a days work… → 07.28.07 at 12:29 am

[…] 7 More Sure-Fire Headline Templates That Work in case I get writer’s block […]
#111 7 Things You Need to Know About Writing Lists That Work | Copyblogger → 08.01.07 at 1:45 pm

[…] 7 More Sure-Fire Headline Templates That Work - 110 Comments […]
#112 77 Great Lists You Absolutely Need to Check Out → 08.09.07 at 10:59 am

[…] 7 More Sure-Fire Headline Templates That Work (copyblogger) […]
#113 1001 Lists To Read Before You Die | Terabell - technology, law, programming and a laugh → 08.11.07 at 3:09 am

[…] things you should know about connecting Macintosh OS X systems to Windows networks 140. 7 More Sure-Fire Headline Templates That Work 141. Top 10 Reasons to Work at Google 142. 8 Tips to Optimize Adsense Units […]
#114 18 Link Building Tips & Techniques | Single Grain → 08.13.07 at 12:25 pm

[…] the title should be hard to pass up. Readers want free. Valuable information. Give it to them. Copyblogger offers some great tips on […]
#115 How to write more readable blog posts by Adam Taylor - Conversion Matters → 08.15.07 at 12:03 pm

[…] and write useful, descriptive headings for every post that are catchy and contain a targeted keyword/phrase. This has multiple […]
#116 Sure-Fire → 08.28.07 at 4:34 pm

This may be one of the most important skill sets (writing effective headlines) in any form of advertising/marketing. I appreciate your advice.

In a book about advertising entitled “Wizard of Ads”, the author explains that too many people (even marketers) assume that people want to read their ad (or article in this case). However, the author gave an excellent rule-of-thumb:

First, earn their attention…

Second, earn their money.

People are constantly being inundated with marketing messages. An effective headline can convince a busy American (-: that they need to read your article or ad.

One of the great minds of advertising (David Ogilvy?) spent much time and emphasis on headlines…for good reason: he know effective headlines = nice bottom line.

Thanks for all you do, Brian.
#117 How to Write a Social Media Press Release | Copyblogger → 08.31.07 at 11:03 am

[…] article follows all the advice Brian gives related to strong blogging: a sure-fire headline structure, a strong opening that uses an anecdote that paints a relatable picture, and content that utilizes […]
#118 Warning: Use These 5 Surefire Headline Formulas at Your Own Risk | Copyblogger → 09.05.07 at 2:36 pm

[…] no doubt that my previous two posts on headline formulas have been extremely popular. But they’ve also caused me to take a lot of […]
#119 DotCom Note - Technology to Make Money and Life Happy → 09.14.07 at 9:47 pm

[…] that attracts social media crowds like a magnet. You can read the the three articles here, here, and […]
#120 Who Else Wants to Rehash Trite, Formulaic Headlines? | unintuitive → 09.17.07 at 9:49 pm

[…] searches for the Copyblogger’s 10 Sure-Fire Headline Formulas that Work and his follow-up 7 More Sure-Fire Headline Templates and see how many results we can come up […]
#121 » Warning: Don’t read this unless you want to lower your advertising costs. → 09.21.07 at 1:03 am

[…] http://www.copyblogger.com/headline-swipe-file/ […]
#122 22 World Class Headline Templates » Net Business Blog → 09.25.07 at 12:33 pm

[…] 7 More Sure-Fire Headline Templates That Work […]
#123 23 Link Building Tips | dunbeacon.net → 09.30.07 at 3:55 pm

[…] would start with how to make certain fire headlines . You proceed to creating contents with hooks. 7 More Sure-Fire Headline Templates That Work 10 Sure-Fire Headline Formulas That WorkThe Link Baiting Playbook: Hooks RevisitedAndy […]
#124 Caroline’s Favourite Links & Blogs #3 | Caroline Middlebrook :: Livin' Online → 10.13.07 at 11:11 am

[…] most of the time!). There is some real gold in the archives with several excellent posts about headlines. In addition, there is some true flagship content in the form if the Copywriting 101 , and the SEO […]
#125 Jarkko Laine - Insanely interested » Blog Archive » How We Fight For Your Attention → 10.18.07 at 4:01 am

[…] we write catchy headlines that grab your eye. Then we start the post with a bang, add a few interesting subtitles to keep you reading. Maybe a […]
#126 8 Essential Tips to write a Powerful Headline | The Tao of Blogging to Wealth → 10.19.07 at 8:35 am

[…] from CopyBlogger write a great post about 7 Surefire Headline Template in his blog. Template is important when you have totally run out of idea to create a […]
#127 Masive Headline Swipe Files | Copywriting for Profits → 10.30.07 at 9:52 pm

[…] 10 Sure-Fire Headline Formulas That Work 2. 7 More Sure-Fire Headline Templates That Work 3. Warning: Use These 5 Surefire Headline Formulas at Your Own Risk 4. Magnetic […]
#128 francisco → 11.06.07 at 2:32 pm

it was a great discovery this copyblogger site !
really faboulous specially this 7 tips post…
best regards and continue teachig us this way…
bye , all the best
francisco—
#129 elizabethbeauty-grace.com Blog » → 11.07.07 at 4:28 am

[…] Grab Their Attention Writing the headlines and initial descriptions to submit to the social sites, emailing bloggers and appearing in search results is a critical part of linkbait. Many readers will see your headline, and in the early phase it’s critical that they follow your link and help to spread your message. Check out Brian Clark’s two posts on writing great headlines, here and here. […]
#130 elizabethbeauty-grace.com Blog » BLOG LINKS → 11.07.07 at 6:03 am

[…] Grab Their Attention Writing the headlines and initial descriptions to submit to the social sites, emailing bloggers and appearing in search results is a critical part of linkbait. Many readers will see your headline, and in the early phase it’s critical that they follow your link and help to spread your message. Check out Brian Clark’s two posts on writing great headlines, here and here. […]
#131 How I Attracted 10 Times More Visitors Overnight — Ultrathought → 11.12.07 at 6:14 am

[…] I first realised this after reading Copyblogger, in particular 10 Sure Fire Headlines, 7 more Sure-Fire Headlines both contained in the Magnetic Headlines Series. These articles are 100% on the money and should be […]
#132 KISS! | BLOGGRANARIES → 11.20.07 at 3:11 pm

[…] navigation to them; and how a niche Content is a must (how to generate a fresh one, performing a headline - lead, writting, and great […]
#133 blogs de arquitectura → 11.24.07 at 6:55 pm

Now tryng to put head tricks on the road… many thanks for super-interesting post
best regards all bloggers.
#134 Learn How to Write Titles to Get Traffic and Links « make money online → 12.01.07 at 1:21 am

[…] 7 More Sure-Fire Headline Templates That Work […]
#135 advertising isn’t formulaic: two steps to good work « the daily (ad) biz → 12.04.07 at 9:29 pm

[…] really should do more than get good conversion rates), I still held that “tips” like “sure-fire headline templates” aren’t the first step on the road to good advertising.The first step on the road to good […]
#136 Can Using Science Teach Us to Write Better Headlines? | The Copywriter's Crucible → 12.05.07 at 5:25 pm

[…] you’re looking for inspiration then read some of Brian Clark’s popular posts on writing magnetic headlines, and here’s 100 more from Jay Abraham to keep you occupied […]
#137 Alfred Saforo → 12.18.07 at 8:23 am

I really loved this post so much i am building a whole series of articles around it. Please have a look when you have the time.
Regards.
Alfred Opare Saforo
#138 tracy Ho → 12.21.07 at 6:08 am

thanks for your point form easy to understand articles, I learn lots from your post,
thank you
Tracy Ho
wisdomgettingloaded.com
#139 10 Killer Steps To Great Blogging | General Marketing Blog → 12.22.07 at 6:39 pm

[…] headlines that grab your readers attention and make them want to read. I found a great blog with 7 Surefire Headlines That Work check it […]
#140 Ultimate Guide to Linkbait | Xuru → 12.25.07 at 5:50 pm

[…] also add a few more headlines and a blog opening section from […]
#141 Top Notch Blogs → 12.27.07 at 11:47 am

[…] headlines aimed at grabbing readers attention will make them want to read on. Check out this blog: 7 Sure-fire Headlines That Work. Check it […]
#142 Saad Baig → 01.02.08 at 3:18 am

Your most understandable post.Great work
#143 Saim → 01.02.08 at 3:23 am

Headlines are the major source to attract the readers.I pay attention to them.By the way this is the first post on Headlines i have read.
Great job dear…..
#144 15 thoughts on the basics of blogging « How to Market a Service → 01.09.08 at 6:52 pm

[…] 14. Learn to write good titles for your posts here. […]
#145 10 Killer Steps To Great Blogging | General Marketing Blog → 02.04.08 at 11:55 am

[…] headlines that grab your readers attention and make them want to read. I found a great blog with 7 Surefire Headlines That Work check it out. 4. Provide The Killer […]
#146 27 магических формул заголовков, работающих всегда и везде → 02.09.08 at 1:27 am

[…] из следующих статей:10 headline formulas that work like magic by Miguel Alvarez http://www.copyblogger.com/headline-swipe-file/ 7 More Sure-Fire Headline Templates That Work by Brian Clark […]
#147 How to Generate Ideas for Articles Using Wordtracker and Title Templates → 02.13.08 at 6:04 am

[…] Title Templates refers to a list of article headlines that are structured in such a way as to generate interest by intriguing people, stimulating psychological needs and interests and offering sufficient value that they want to read your article. The templates area well constructed copywriting tools and you can insert your keywords and phrases into the templates to generate article ideas. Sometimes you will come up with completely new ideas and sometimes you can communicate existing knowledge with a different slant that makes for an interesting article. You can find this free resource at the excellent site http://www.copyblogger.com, run by Brian Clark: 10-sure-fire-headline-formulas-that-work and headline-swipe-file […]
#148 Ultimate List of Blog Heading Templates & Titles for Blogging → 02.16.08 at 10:53 pm

[…] Source: CopyBlogger […]
#149 London Restaurant Reviews → 02.25.08 at 11:31 am

Cheers for the tips on eye-catching headlines.

We’ll be sure to point our readers in your direction, when looking for idea on inspirational marketing!
#150 Mohamed Bhimji → 03.11.08 at 12:04 pm

Hi,

Fantastic! I was researching sites and information for an upcoming blog post and found your site. I will be sure to mention your site and this post in particular. This information will be very handy for my readers and visitors.

Regards,

Mohamed
#151 Jobs in Ireland → 03.17.08 at 12:27 pm

Just trawling through some old posts and I saw this one. I don’t know how I missed it. Anyway, Brian you’ve given me some ideas for my next AdSense campaign !

Thanks !

7 More Sure-Fire Headline Templates That Work