Agencies, Freelancers, Design, Copywriting & more.: [Copyblogger] 13 Emotion-Based Headlines That Work

13 Emotion-Based Headlines That Work

13 Emotion-Based Headlines That Work

Last week’s post talked about why emotional benefits are critical to persuasive copy. But it’s one thing to talk about general concepts like “connection” or “fear,” and another to actually get these ideas into your writing.

In honor of Friday the 13th, I thought I’d give you 13 actual examples of emotional benefits you can use to persuade your readers. These emotional triggers have been used effectively in countless promotions, because they speak to underlying desires and fears that nearly all of us have.

I’ve paired each benefit with a sample headline to give you an idea of how the benefit might be used in context. Feel free to tweak, bend or just steal these headlines, or use them as jumping-off points for your own angle.

These aren’t the only effective emotional benefits by any means, but they include some of the most widely successful. (Don’t see your favorite benefit here? Share it with us in the comments.)

When’s the Last Time a Cute Girl Checked You Out?
Emotional benefit: feeling attractive and sexy
Learn How to Stand Up to Your Boss (and Force Him to See What You’re Really Worth)
Emotional benefit: feeling assertive and confident
Your Grandkids Will Be Struggling to Keep Up with You
Emotional benefit: feeling vital and energetic
You’ve Worked Hard All Week–Now Indulge Yourself
Emotional benefit: feeling pampered, justified entitlement
A Limited Number of Spaces Are Still Available for Founders’ Circle Membership
Emotional benefit: sense of belonging, exclusivity
Are You Working Harder than Ever, but Still Worried About Downsizing and Layoffs?
Emotional benefit: feeling in control of one’s own destiny
The 20-Minute Read that Will Make You a Financial Genius
Emotional benefit: feeling wealthy and powerful (also feeling smart)
They Laughed When I Sat Down at the Keyboard–But Then I Began to Blog!
Emotional benefit: feeling proud, sense of accomplishment (also being gigantic dork)
How to Take Command of Any Meeting
Emotional benefit: feeling respected
The SecureWidget Alert System Keeps Tireless Watch Over Your Family
Emotional benefit: feeling safe
Is Your Child Emotionally Intelligent? Take This Test and Find Out
Emotional benefit: feeling like a good parent
Reconnect With Your Friends and Family on this Incredible Three-Day Retreat
Emotional benefit: feeling of loving connection
How to Survive (and Yes, Even Thrive) in a Recession
Emotional benefit: feeling financially secure (note that this is subtly different from feeling wealthy and powerful)

You might notice that there’s a lot of potential for overlap. A headline can speak to “feeling in control of one’s own destiny” at the same time it helps your reader “feel like a good parent.”

In your copy, take the time to address each benefit fully. Hit the one you think is most important first, then move on to the next. You’ll create a powerful one-two punch to the gut–and when you’re putting together persuasive copy, that’s a great thing.

About the Author: Get more online marketing advice from Sonia Simone by subscribing to her blog today.