38 Exciting Examples from Bob Bly, “America’s Top Copywriter”
We recently talked about Bob Bly’s ultra successful direct marketing approach to writing headlines – they have four specific tasks. We talked about how to write your headlines to accomplish those tasks.
In this post, I simply want to give you Bob’s list of 38 powerhouse headline examples that you can adapt to grab your readers’ attention and draw them in to your copy. Here’s the amazing list:
1. Ask a question in the headline.
“What Do Japanese Managers Have That American Managers Sometimes Lack?”
2. Tie-in to current events.
“Stay One Step Ahead of the Stock Market Just Like Martha Stewart – But Without Her Legal Liability!”
3. Create a new terminology in the headline.
“New ‘Polarized Oil’ Magnetically Adheres to Wear Parts in Machine Tools, Making Them Last Up to 6 Times Longer.”
4. Give news using the words “new,” “introduction,” or “announcing.”
“Announcing a Painless Cut in Defense Spending.”
5. Give the reader a command – tell him to do something.
“Try Burning This Coupon.”
6. Use numbers and statistics in the headline.
“Who Ever Heard of 17,000 Blooms from a Single Plant?”
7. Promise the reader useful information.
“How to Avoid the Biggest Mistake You Can Make in Building or Buying a Home.”
8. Highlight your offer.
“You Can Now Subscribe to the Best New Books – Just as You Do to a Magazine.”
9. Tell a story in the headline.
“They Laughed When I Sat Down at the Piano … But When I Started to Play.”
10. Make a recommendation.
“The 5 Tech Stocks You Must Own NOW.”
11. State a benefit.
“Managing UNIX Data Centers – Once Difficult, Now Easy.”
12. Make a comparison.
“How to Solve Your Emissions Problems – at Half the Energy Cost of Conventional Venturi Scrubbers.”
13. Use words that help the reader visualize.
“Why Some Foods ‘Explode’ In Your Stomach.”
14. Use a testimonial in the headline.
“After Over Half a Million Miles in the Air Using AVBLEND, We’ve Had No Premature Camshaft Failures.”
15. Offer a free special report, catalog, or booklet.
“New FREE Special Report Reveals Little-Known Strategy Millionaires Use to Keep Wealth in Their Hands – and Out of Uncle Sam’s.”
16. State the selling proposition directly and plainly.
“Surgical Tables Rebuilt – Free Loaners Available.”
17. Arouse reader curiosity.
“The One Internet Stock You MUST Own Now. Hint: It’s NOT What You Think!”
18. Promise to reveal a secret.
“Unlock Wall Street’s Secret Logic.”
19. Be specific.
“At 60 Miles an Hour, the Loudest Noise in This New Rolls Royce Comes from the Electric Clock.”
20. Target a particular type of reader.
“We’re Looking for People to Write Children’s Books.”
21. Add a time element in the headline.
“Instant Incorporation While U-Wait.”
22. Stress cost savings, discounts, or value.
“Now You Can Get $2,177 Worth of Expensive Stock Market Newsletters for the Incredibly Low Price of Just $69!”
23. Give the reader good news.
“You’re Never Too Old to Hear Better.”
24. Offer an alternative to other products and services.
“No Time for Yale – Took College At Home.”
25. Issue a challenge.
“Will Your Scalp Stand the Fingernail Test?”
26. Stress your guarantee in the headline.
“Develop Software Applications Up to 6 Times Faster or Your Money Back.”
27. State the price.
“Link 8 PCs to Your Mainframe – Only $2,395.”
28. Set up a seeming contradiction.
“Profit from ‘Insider Trading’ – 100% Legal!”
29. Offer an exclusive the reader can’t get elsewhere.
“Earn 500+% Gains With Little-Known ‘Trader’s Secret Weapon.’”
30. Address the reader’s concern in the headline.
“Why Most Small Businesses Fail — and What You Can Do About It.’
31. “As Crazy as It Sounds…”
“Crazy as it Sounds, Shares of This Tiny R&D Company, Selling for $2 Today, Could be Worth as Much as $100 in the Not-Too-Distant Future.”
32. Make a big promise.
“Slice 20 Years Off Your Age!”
33. Show ROI (return on investment) for purchase of your product.
“Hiring the Wrong Person Costs You Three Times Their Annual Salary.”
34. Use a “reasons-why” headline.
“7 Reasons Why Production Houses Nationwide Prefer Unilux Strobe Lighting When Shooting Important TV Commercials.”
35. Answer important questions about your product or service.
“7 Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Collection Agency … And One Good Answer to Each.”
36. Stress the value of your premiums.
“Yours Free – Order Now and Receive $280 in Free Gifts with Your Paid Subscription.”
37. Help the reader achieve a goal.
“Now You Can Create a Breakthrough Marketing Plan Within the Next 30 Days … for FREE!”
38. Make a seemingly contradictory statement or promise in the headline.
“Cool Any Room in Your House Fast – Without Air Conditioning!”
Which one did I use in this post?
About Bob Bly: Robert W. Bly is a freelance copywriter and the author of more than 70 books including The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Direct Marketing (Alpha). His Website is www.bly.com.
For more resources, see the Free Management Library topic: Marketing and Social Media.
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ABOUT Lisa M. Chapman:
Lisa M. Chapman serves her clients as a business and marketing coach, business planning consultant and social media consultant. She helps clients to establish and enhance their online brand, attract their target market, engage them in meaningful social media conversations, and convert online traffic into revenues. Email: Lisa (at) LisaChapman (dot) com.
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