{"id":9002,"date":"2016-11-22T20:08:21","date_gmt":"2016-11-22T20:08:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/headline-checklist-write-better-headlines-in-9-steps-2\/"},"modified":"2024-02-28T20:50:31","modified_gmt":"2024-02-28T20:50:31","slug":"headline-checklist-write-better-headlines-in-9-steps-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/headline-checklist-write-better-headlines-in-9-steps-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Headline Checklist: Write Better Headlines in 9 Steps"},"content":{"rendered":"<section id=\"headline-checklist\">\n<h2> Headline Checklist: <\/h2>\n<div class=\"image-content\">\n<figure>\n   <a href=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/lS88JQADA5G6CcMiITROoA.png\" alt=\"Headline Checklist:\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/lS88JQADA5G6CcMiITROoA.png\" \/> <\/a><br \/>\n  <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>Welcome to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Process Street<\/a> headline checklist!<\/p>\n<p>If you're finding it difficult to make your content irresistible&nbsp;or getting low open rates on your emails, it's probably your headline's fault.<\/p>\n<p>Around 80% of readers never make it to your content, but by writing better headlines, being extraordinary and compelling your readers to click, you'll be able to boost page views, shares and exposure.<\/p>\n<p>Let's get started!&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"check-over-formulasthe-most-famous-headlines-ever-written\">\n<h2> Check over formulas\/the most famous headlines ever written <\/h2>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>A successful headline of the past is a great starting point, especially since you know already what your topics and targets are.<\/p>\n<p>Here's 18 of the most popular examples:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>How to [win friends] and<strong> <\/strong>[influence people]<\/li>\n<li>Why Some People Almost Always Make Money in the Stock Market<\/li>\n<li>Who else wants...?<\/li>\n<li>The Secret of...<\/li>\n<li>Here is a method helping X to Y<\/li>\n<li>Little known ways to ...<\/li>\n<li>Get rid of X, once and for all<\/li>\n<li>Here\u2019s a Quick Way to [solve a problem]<\/li>\n<li>Now You Can Have [something desirable] [great circumstance]<\/li>\n<li>[Do something] like [world-class example]<\/li>\n<li>Have a [or] Build a [blank] You Can Be Proud Of<\/li>\n<li>What Everybody Ought to Know About [blank] \/ What your boss expects you to know about X<\/li>\n<li>How to [skill] for [benefits] &nbsp;\/\/ How to [benefit] with [skill\/product]<\/li>\n<li>Gotten a speeding ticket lately? Read this.<\/li>\n<li>Become \/ Make \/ Build X Now \/ In X Days<\/li>\n<li>The Lazy \/ Smart \/ Criminally easy! Way to do X.<\/li>\n<li>You Don\u2019t Have to Be [something challenging] to be [desired result].<\/li>\n<li>Warning: [X]<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>As well as these 18 classics, you should check out&nbsp;this spreadsheet with 148 classic proven formulas you can use in your next post.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/1nD7k6weaVhpImhFc15sMDVG4wbnN3XTGRmufYGsDRWU\/pubhtml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Get your 148 headline formulas here!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Remember: a headline is a promise.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"textarea-field-content form-field-content\">\n<div class=\"form-group\">\n   <label> ENTER AT LEAST 5 HEADLINES: <\/label><br \/>\n   <textarea placeholder=\"Something will be typed here...\" rows=\"3\" disabled=\"disabled\" class=\"form-control\"><\/textarea>\n  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"sell-the-benefits-not-the-features\">\n<h2> Sell the benefits, not the features <\/h2>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>This is the oldest trick in the book&nbsp;because very few people care more about&nbsp;<em>what&nbsp;<\/em>they're getting than&nbsp;<em>how&nbsp;<\/em>it can help them.<\/p>\n<p>Here's what I mean, using examples from <a href=\"http:\/\/www.helpscout.net\/blog\/benefits-sell\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Help Scout's explanation<\/a>:<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"image-content\">\n<figure>\n   <a href=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/k1zADGxt4brm7H7r7BBEgQ.png\" alt=\"Sell the benefits, not the features\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/k1zADGxt4brm7H7r7BBEgQ.png\" \/> <\/a><br \/>\n  <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>Benefits should be specific to the group you're targeting. You aren't narrowing or weakening your appeal, you're focusing it.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"textarea-field-content form-field-content\">\n<div class=\"form-group\">\n   <label> ADJUST YOUR ANSWERS FROM ABOVE ACCORDINGLY <\/label><br \/>\n   <textarea placeholder=\"Something will be typed here...\" rows=\"3\" disabled=\"disabled\" class=\"form-control\"><\/textarea>\n  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"keep-your-readers-objections-in-mind-and-fight-against-them\">\n<h2> Keep your reader's objections in mind (and fight against them) <\/h2>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>Even still, your readers might be reading your headline and thinking 'yeah, right...;<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"image-content\">\n<figure>\n   <a href=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/nh36eVVje6Q0zlbwpHlE3Q.gif\" alt=\"Keep your reader's objections in mind (and fight against them)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/nh36eVVje6Q0zlbwpHlE3Q.gif\" \/> <\/a><br \/>\n  <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>If your content sounds unbelievable&nbsp;or like it could cause difficulties, you can help readers to stop doubting you by addressing their objections.<\/p>\n<p>How do you do that?<\/p>\n<p>Take a look at some examples, with the objection they are addressing in <strong>bold<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Learn C++ in 14 Days <strong>(While Still Working a Full-Time Job)<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>15 <strong>Tested<\/strong> Headline Templates You Can <strong>Use Right Now<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Get the Best Spreadsheet Software, <strong>Free Forever<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Rapid Hair Regrowth within 30 Days <strong>Or Your Money Back<\/strong>!<\/li>\n<li>The <strong>Scientifically Proven<\/strong> Way To <strong>Instantly<\/strong> Double Your Sales<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n<div class=\"textarea-field-content form-field-content\">\n<div class=\"form-group\">\n   <label> ADD AN OBJECTION \u2014 AND HOW TO FIGHT IT <\/label><br \/>\n   <textarea placeholder=\"Something will be typed here...\" rows=\"3\" disabled=\"disabled\" class=\"form-control\"><\/textarea>\n  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"include-these-power-words-if-you-can\">\n<h2> Include these power words if you can <\/h2>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>It's not recommended to cram an already great headline full of these words, but if your headline feels weak at this point, try enhancing it with a power word or two.<\/p>\n<p>There are many reports on the complete list of power words, but in reality any list of all the emotive words in the English language would do it, so I thought I'd narrow it down a little to the top 5 and David Ogilvy's top 20.<\/p>\n<p><strong>5 most persuasive words<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>You<\/li>\n<li>Free<\/li>\n<li>Because<\/li>\n<li>Instantly<\/li>\n<li>New<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Ogilvy's 20 power words<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Suddenly<\/li>\n<li>Now<\/li>\n<li>Announcing<\/li>\n<li>Introducing<\/li>\n<li>Improvement<\/li>\n<li>Amazing<\/li>\n<li>Sensational<\/li>\n<li>Remarkable<\/li>\n<li>Revolutionary<\/li>\n<li>Startling<\/li>\n<li>Miracle<\/li>\n<li>Magic<\/li>\n<li>Offer<\/li>\n<li>Quick<\/li>\n<li>Easy<\/li>\n<li>Wanted<\/li>\n<li>Challenge<\/li>\n<li>Compare<\/li>\n<li>Bargain<\/li>\n<li>Hurry<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cut-it-to-between-518-words\">\n<h2> Cut it to between 5-18 words <\/h2>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>While a title of 5-18 words is the right size (broadly speaking), keep in mind these other restrictions and recommendations when considering where your title will appear:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>To make sure people <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nngroup.com\/articles\/how-little-do-users-read\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">actually read it<\/a>: 34 characters (~5 words)<\/li>\n<li>For search results: 70 characters (~12 words)<\/li>\n<li>For email subjects: 50 characters (~9 words)<\/li>\n<li>Twitter: 71\u2013100 characters (~12-15 words)<\/li>\n<li>Facebook: 40 characters (~7 words)<\/li>\n<li>Google+: 60 characters (~10 words)<\/li>\n<li>LinkedIn: 80\u2013120 characters (~14-18 words)<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"use-a-number-fact-percentage-or-statistic\">\n<h2> Use a number, fact, percentage or statistic <\/h2>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/okdork.com\/2014\/07\/22\/we-analyzed-nearly-1-million-headlines-heres-what-we-learned\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Studies<\/a> show the human brain loves numbers. They give the reader clarity, set expectations and \u2014 in the case of percentages or statistics \u2014 give the article more authority.<\/p>\n<p>This doesn't mean everything you write with a number in the title has to be a list post, though.<\/p>\n<p>Numbers either tell you that you're about to see <em>43 Dogs So Cute They Will Destroy You<\/em> or&nbsp;<em>Why 68% of Bloggers Have No Friends<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"make-your-headline-extremely-specific\">\n<h2> Make your headline extremely specific <\/h2>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>If a reader can glance at it and say 'it's not for me', then another can glance and say 'WHOA, LET ME GET THAT!'<\/p>\n<p>A prime example:<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"image-content\">\n<figure>\n   <a href=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/n7EpBYQYx8xFO0A-LC9Exg.png\" alt=\"Make your headline extremely specific\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/n7EpBYQYx8xFO0A-LC9Exg.png\" \/> <\/a><br \/>\n  <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>This headline doesn't appeal to me, but I've met people before who would go crazy for it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Provoking a mild interest in everyone gets less conversions than provoking a frenzy in a specialized few.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"redraft-it-until-youre-sick-of-it-then-do-it-again\">\n<h2> Redraft it until you're sick of it, then do it again <\/h2>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>Now, run all headlines so far through <a href=\"http:\/\/coschedule.com\/headline-analyzer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">CoSchedule's Headline Analyzer<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>You'll be able to see the history of all your headlines, and look for the headline that fits all of the above criteria and scores best.<\/p>\n<p>---<\/p>\n<p>You've reached the end of this headline checklist! I'm certain you've written something fantastic.<\/p>\n<p>I'm certain you've written something fantastic.<\/p>\n<p>For more content like this, make sure to subscribe to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/blog\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Process Street blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Headline Checklist: Welcome to the Process Street headline checklist! If you're finding it difficult to make your content irresistible&nbsp;or getting low open rates on your emails, it's probably your headline's fault. Around 80% of readers never make it to your content, but by writing better headlines, being extraordinary and compelling your readers to click, you'll [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":4225,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"cover_icon_emoji":"","cover_icon_url":"","tasks_count":"9","template_description":"Run this headline checklist each time you need to write a new headline or email subject line, and never write a yawn-worthy title again.","template_id":"oUr3cyveIpLcFDk1twNCRA","task_0":"Headline Checklist:","task_slug_0":"headline-checklist","task_1":"Check over formulas\/the most famous headlines ever written","task_slug_1":"check-over-formulasthe-most-famous-headlines-ever-written","task_2":"Sell the benefits, not the features","task_slug_2":"sell-the-benefits-not-the-features","task_3":"Keep your reader's objections in mind (and fight against them)","task_slug_3":"keep-your-readers-objections-in-mind-and-fight-against-them","task_4":"Include these power words if you can","task_slug_4":"include-these-power-words-if-you-can","task_5":"Cut it to between 5-18 words","task_slug_5":"cut-it-to-between-518-words","task_6":"Use a number, fact, percentage or statistic","task_slug_6":"use-a-number-fact-percentage-or-statistic","task_7":"Make your headline extremely specific","task_slug_7":"make-your-headline-extremely-specific","task_8":"Redraft it until you're sick of it, then do it again","task_slug_8":"redraft-it-until-youre-sick-of-it-then-do-it-again","task_9":"Redraft it until you're sick of it, then do it again","task_slug_9":"redraft-it-until-youre-sick-of-it-then-do-it-again","task_10":"","task_slug_10":"","task_11":"","task_slug_11":"","task_12":"","task_slug_12":"","task_13":"","task_slug_13":"","task_14":"","task_slug_14":"","task_15":"","task_slug_15":"","task_16":"","task_slug_16":"","task_17":"","task_slug_17":"","task_18":"","task_slug_18":"","task_19":"","task_slug_19":"","task_20":"","task_slug_20":"","task_21":"","task_slug_21":"","task_22":"","task_slug_22":"","task_23":"","task_slug_23":"","task_24":"","task_slug_24":"","task_25":"","task_slug_25":"","task_26":"","task_slug_26":"","task_27":"","task_slug_27":"","task_28":"","task_slug_28":"","task_29":"","task_slug_29":"","task_30":"","task_slug_30":"","task_31":"","task_slug_31":"","task_32":"","task_slug_32":"","task_33":"","task_slug_33":"","task_34":"","task_slug_34":"","task_35":"","task_slug_35":"","task_36":"","task_slug_36":"","task_37":"","task_slug_37":"","task_38":"","task_slug_38":"","task_39":"","task_slug_39":"","task_40":"","task_slug_40":"","task_41":"","task_slug_41":"","task_42":"","task_slug_42":"","task_43":"","task_slug_43":"","task_44":"","task_slug_44":"","task_45":"","task_slug_45":"","task_46":"","task_slug_46":"","task_47":"","task_slug_47":"","task_48":"","task_slug_48":"","task_49":"","task_slug_49":"","task_50":"","task_slug_50":"","task_51":"","task_slug_51":"","task_52":"","task_slug_52":"","task_53":"","task_slug_53":"","task_54":"","task_slug_54":"","task_55":"","task_slug_55":"","task_56":"","task_slug_56":"","task_57":"","task_slug_57":"","task_58":"","task_slug_58":"","task_59":"","task_slug_59":"","task_60":"","task_slug_60":"","task_61":"","task_slug_61":"","task_62":"","task_slug_62":"","task_63":"","task_slug_63":"","task_64":"","task_slug_64":"","task_65":"","task_slug_65":"","task_66":"","task_slug_66":"","task_67":"","task_slug_67":"","task_68":"","task_slug_68":"","task_69":"","task_slug_69":"","task_70":"","task_slug_70":"","task_71":"","task_slug_71":"","task_72":"","task_slug_72":"","task_73":"","task_slug_73":"","task_74":"","task_slug_74":"","task_75":"","task_slug_75":"","task_76":"","task_slug_76":"","task_77":"","task_slug_77":"","task_78":"","task_slug_78":"","task_79":"","task_slug_79":"","task_80":"","task_slug_80":"","task_81":"","task_slug_81":"","task_82":"","task_slug_82":"","task_83":"","task_slug_83":"","task_84":"","task_slug_84":"","task_85":"","task_slug_85":"","task_86":"","task_slug_86":"","task_87":"","task_slug_87":"","task_88":"","task_slug_88":"","task_89":"","task_slug_89":"","task_90":"","task_slug_90":"","task_91":"","task_slug_91":"","task_92":"","task_slug_92":"","task_93":"","task_slug_93":"","task_94":"","task_slug_94":"","task_95":"","task_slug_95":"","task_96":"","task_slug_96":"","task_97":"","task_slug_97":"","task_98":"","task_slug_98":"","task_99":"","task_slug_99":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9002","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-miscellaneous","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9002","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9002"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9002\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4225"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9002"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9002"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9002"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}