Did you notice title for this article?

Of course, it's a headline. That's right! And it uses a shop-worn classic format which still continues to amaze me with its power. Just 2 simple words...

"How To...."

Stick with me on this, I know it sounds too easy, but it's not.

The simple, lowly "How to" headline is still tops in my book for simplicity and effectiveness. You really cannot go wrong with it. The 'how to' headline is so versatile. You can follow it with several benefits, a question, an offer, almost anything - and it works great!

In fact, using 'how to' formula is one of best places to start when writing headlines because it forces you to think of what your product/service actually does for person.

Here are a couple of winning examples to get your juices flowing:

~ How to Collect from Social Security at Any Age

~ How To Get FIVE Money-Making Web Sites In 29 Minutes Or Less...Without Spending A Fortune!

~ How to avoid biggest mistake you can make in building or buying a home

~ How to cruise world for $19 a day

~ How to get Enthusiastic Applause - Even a Standing Ovation - Every Time You Speak (Ted Nicholas)

~ How To Win Friends And Influence People

~ How to make your car invisible to radar and laser!

~ How to make your computer as easy to use as your telephone

~ How to fix cars

Check out last winning headline on our list - "how to fix cars". I mean it really can't get any simpler than that, but it works...and it works big time!

Now here are a few "How to..." headlines you can plug-in and use right away when brainstorming:

=============== "How to" Formulas ===============

There've been enough books written on subject to pave a road from Des Moines to Miami. Truth be told, there are enough on my own shelves to cover Iowa alone.

Every writer has his or her own "take" on writer's block. The common consensus seems to be: get away from what you're working on for anywhere between several minutes to several days. The belief behind this advice is that longer you try to work through a total blockage of mind, more frustrated you'll get. While there's a great deal of truth behind these teachings, and following this path would be one of least resistance (not to mention a sanity preserver), sometimes this just isn't an option.