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- Ad Headlines That Sell: 17 Formulas for Killer Headlines!
Ad Headlines That Sell: 17 Formulas for Killer Headlines!
Supercharge your ads with these 17 proven headline formulas, this is how experts write ad headlines that drive results.
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Hey there
Big reveal today…
A stunning headline is the difference between $ and $$$.
Your brand offers a solution.
Of course, it does.
The solution helps the end user.
Of course, it does.
But, how does the end user know about your brand and make it a part of their daily lives?
Your ad headlines.
When you have written your headline, you have spent eighty cents out of your advertising dollar.
Yes, it’s that important!!
Your headline is your first shot at hooking your ideal customer. It's how you say, "Hey, you – this one's for you!"
But… let alone a ‘great’ headline, writing even a ‘good’ outline is a pain – even for the experts.
We've all been there – staring at a blank screen, trying to come up with the perfect headline. But what if I told you there's a way to ditch the guesswork?
(This cheeky little method/hack/trick – whatever you want to call it – has saved us 100s of hours of headaches, of writing headlines that can attract, inspire, and convert.)
Ready to see how we do it? Buckle up!
We studied the most successful ads of the last 50 years, broke down their strategy and headline formulas, and transformed them into a powerful collection of templates.
Just fill in the blanks, and watch the results pour in.
Let’s dig in.
1. Outcome focused headlines
Your target audience is facing a problem and your product/service is there to solve it. This is the base for any solution-oriented ad headline. Instead of showing what your brand can do, highlight how it can provide the solution to the pain point. It becomes easier for the audience to imagine its use in their life. For example:
[Verb] [ideal state] without [pain point]:
Cook healthy meals without breaking the bank with our pre-portioned recipe kits
Learn a new skill without leaving your desk.
[Feature] for [ideal state]:
Noise-cancelling technology for an immersive listening experience.
Sustainable materials for eco-conscious clothing.
You can’t [ideal state] without [unique feature]:
You can't organize effectively without a system that works for your brain.
You can't write confidently without mastering the fundamentals.
You can't achieve financial freedom without a personalized plan.
How you [verb] matters:
How you sleep impacts your overall health.
How you organize your thoughts leads to clearer thinking.
How you manage your stress affects your well-being.
The [comparative adjective] way to [process/activity]:
The most efficient way to learn a new language.
The most stress-free way to manage your finances.
The most delicious way to eat healthy.
2. Product focused headlines
When writing headlines, you can also focus on the benefits your product or service offers, not just the features. Use strong verbs and concise language to grab attention and encourage action.
Can your [product/service] help you [achieve a specific goal]?
Can your cleaning service give you back your weekends?
Feeling [negative emotion]? Our [product/service] can help!
Feeling overwhelmed? Our stress management course can help.
Tired of [problem]? Try our [unique solution]!
Tired of burnt toast? Try our smart toaster with automatic temperature control.
Claim + product type:
Revolutionize your sleep with the world's first self-adjusting mattress.
Experience the future of fitness with our in-house fitness facilities
Adjective + noun. Resulting adjective + noun:
Effortless cleaning. Sparkling results.
Seamless scheduling. Stress-free day.
Verb + Value + Urgency:
Unlock your hidden potential. Download our free productivity guide now.
Double your website traffic in just 30 days. Start your free trial today!
3. Audience focused headlines
Crafting headlines that prioritize the audience involves referencing the specific group you aim to reach, prompting them to think, "That's me they're speaking to!" Addressing potential customers as peers not only aligns your brand with their lifestyle and values but also demonstrates a genuine understanding of their needs.
Join Thousands of [Audience] Who've Transformed Their [Experience/Outcome]!
Join Thousands of Pro Athletes Who've Transformed Their Endurance!
Join Thousands of Music Lovers Who've Transformed Their Listening Experience!
Join [niche community]
Join Elite Athletes' Recovery Community
Join the Bass Lovers' Community
By [audience] for [audience]
By Champions, for Champions.
By Audiophiles, for Audiophiles.
[Adjective] [product] made for [audience descriptor]
High-Intensity Protein Powder made for Powerhouse Athletes.
Wireless Sound Pods made for Soundtrack Lovers.
For [Audience] Eyes Only: [Benefit] Inside!
For Pro Athletes' Eyes Only: Optimal Recovery Inside!
For Music Lovers' Ears Only: Immersive Music Experience Inside!
We have developed a handy tool that is free to use, enabling you to easily generate various versions of headlines for your brand. Give it a try now!
See that? It's simple enough -- you can use it even if you're not a copywriter, but an expert copywriter can work in God mode with this resource in hand.
A word of caution though: you need to know 3 things:
Pain Point: What problem does your product solve? What frustration will it eliminate?
Desired Outcome: What's the ultimate benefit your customer will experience?
Competition/Alternatives: What other options might your customer consider, and how can you convince them your solution is superior?
While there's no guaranteed winning headline formula, testing numerous variations increases your chances of success. These formulas can help you craft 10-15 headlines in minutes, enough for a full-scale multivariate test.
Beyond generating options, these formulas teach you how to frame your message in various ways using action verbs, desirable outcomes, and emotional language. They're reusable across different campaigns, allowing you to test diverse messaging around specific pain points, product benefits, and more.