Rule One :- The HeadlineThe headline should summarize
whole offer. It should grab
eye, and make you want to read
subheading.
The headline should intrigue and captivate
reader. It's sole aim is to make
reader continue on to read
body text. You should take great time and trouble over
headline.
Let's say we're selling a book on home security, yes, I know, boring and you might start with something like this:-
"CRIME FIGURES UP"
This is very bad, but typical of an amateur. People don't care about 'crime statistics'. That's boring, they only care about their own house or car being broken into. OK, how about this:-
IS YOUR HOME AT RISK?
A bit better, but not brilliant. It does personalize it and does play on peoples fear. It's still pretty weak though. What we need is a headline that will grab you by
throat and force you to read on. How about this:-
HOW TO BURGLE YOUR OWN HOUSE AND STEAL YOUR OWN CAR
Now that's what I call a 'killer' headline. You've just got to read on, haven't you?
Always think very carefully about your headline.
Make it extremely intriguing, interesting or exciting. If you're selling a 'straight' product, then use a slightly different approach,
headline should state what
product is, with a few adjectives in front. Say for a Tea Trolley, your headline would be:-
New, Italian, Fold-away TEA TROLLEY
There should also be a picture of
product. The picture and
headline simply act to grab
eye of anyone who is remotely interested in purchasing this type of product.
Rule Two:- The Subheading
The subheading should expand upon
story hinted in
main heading, and draw
reader inexorably into reading
body text.
Subheadings for straight products should outline
main features and benefits of
product. Again, boring, but this is what works,
A subheading for
Tea Trolley would be:- "New from Italy, Lightweight, Fold-away Trolley is available in your choice of three colors."
As I say, boring, but this is what works, so don't try and get clever or 'artsy'.
Here's
subheading for
security book:- "I've nicked hundreds of cars and done over fifty burglaries. Would you like to know what I've got in mind for YOUR place?"
Brilliant, or what??!! You've just got to read into
body text, haven't you?
Remember this is
MAIN function of
heading and subheading. Notice
quotes, it seems as though
guy was talking to YOU,
reader of
advert, but
quotes imply that it is just something that this burglar said, some time ago, to whoever it was he was speaking to.