Writing Attention-Grabbing Headlines

Your LinkedIn posts are not getting views. Know why? No one's clicking on the 'see more' button. Only one thing can fix that.. Hooks. Here's how to fix them: 1. Numbers: Specific numbers grab attention.  Instead of saying: "I gained a lot of impressions recently," Try: "I gained 500,000+ post impressions in just one week after applying Jeff Bezos’ writing rules. Or: "Over 141 'no’s' later, here’s what I learned about persistence.” 2. Show you know what you're talking about  Instead of :"I’ve worked with many clients," Try: "Working with over 200 founders taught me this: simplicity wins in video scripts.” Or: "Over 500k followers and 150+ successful clients later, here’s my framework for standing out. 3. Curiosity Triggers: Create a knowledge gap that makes readers want to learn more.  Instead of: "Does your phone listen to you?" Try: "Have you ever found yourself bombarded with ads for something you just mentioned in a conversation? I tested this for 10 days, and here’s what I found." 4. Give clear value: Show readers exactly what they’ll gain.  Instead of: "Here’s why LinkedIn matters," Try: "If you’re only using LinkedIn to find jobs, you’re missing out on $10,000 (minimum) annually. Let me explain how." 5. Unpopular/Contrarian Opinion: Challenge conventional wisdom.  Instead of: "Quality over quantity is important," Try: "We’re conditioned to believe that ‘quality > quantity’ is the right strategy, but when you’re just starting out, that’s the wrong approach." 6. Structural Hooks: Frameworks create instant engagement. Instead of: "I have some tips for you," Try: "6 mistakes that cost me $100,000—and how you can avoid them."  Or: "The 7 rules of writing that gave me 500k+ impressions in one week." 7. Keep it short: Keep hooks concise mostly under 3 lines because only that part is visible to the reader at first. 8. See other people's hooks that worked or went viral and take inspo from it. But keep in mind that your entire post must deliver value. The hook gets them to stop scrolling, but the content keeps them reading. #linkedin

I've been in the copywriting space for 10 years and have generated $100’s of millions of dollars for clients.  Here are the 9 most profitable copywriting lessons I've learned along the way: 1. Most Copy Follows the Same Pattern: Headline → Lead → Body → Offer → CTA. Use this structure for every piece of copy: sales pages, emails, ads—everything. Try this today: Take an existing sales page and rearrange it to follow this flow. Notice how it improves clarity. 2. Stop Selling to Everyone: A hungry niche is far more valuable than a big, lukewarm audience. Identify your top 2–3 customer personas and speak directly to them. Try this today: Rewrite one of your marketing emails to address a single, specific persona’s biggest pain point. 3. Your Headline is King: 80% of your effort should go into writing a headline that stops the scroll. Without a powerful headline, no one reads the rest. Try this today: Write 10 variations of a headline for the same offer. Pick the strongest one (or split-test them). 4. Write First, Edit Later: Separate the creative process (writing freely) from the critical process (editing). More words during writing; fewer words after editing. Try this today: Draft an email or ad in one sitting without stopping yourself, then cut it down by 30%. 5. Make it a Slippery Slope: Headline sells the subheadline → subheadline sells the lead → lead sells the body → body sells the CTA → CTA sells the click. Each section teases the next. Try this today: Structure each element on your landing page to create curiosity for the next. 6. People Care About Themselves: They want to know: “What’s in it for me?” Focus your copy on how your product solves their problems or satisfies their desires. Try this today: Count how many times you say “you” versus “I/we” in your copy. Aim for at least a 2:1 ratio. 7. Embrace the Rule of One: One product, one big idea, one CTA per piece of copy. Avoid confusing your reader with multiple offers. Try this today: If you have multiple CTAs in an email or ad, eliminate all but one to see if conversions improve. 8. Be a Friend, Not a Salesman: Show your personality: use relatable language, humor, empathy. Give value first, then ask for the sale. Try this today: Add a personal anecdote or inside joke in your next email to build rapport and trust. 9. Never Start from Scratch: Use proven frameworks (PAS, AIDA, FAB, etc.) to save time and improve results. Frameworks guide your thinking and help you hit the emotional triggers your audience needs. Try this today: Pick one framework (e.g., PAS) and outline your next sales email before filling it in with copy.

How to make customers feel like you’ve read their minds. It's tempting to describe your product as “all-in-one” or “easy," (because it probably is!) But don’t. Those vague platitudes can leave prospects guessing. Plus, they sound like "marketing speak,” (Because they are!) Remember, high-converting headlines use customers' exact words and talk about their specific goals. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 A good headline completes the sentence “Now you can…” with the exact thing your customer is hoping to do. 𝗕𝟮𝗖 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀: • Create photo books in 5 minutes (Popsa) • Find your calm. Sleep more, stress less, live better. (Calm) • Enjoy sex more (Ferly) 𝗕𝟮𝗕 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀: • Create a website you’re proud of (Wix) • Create custom landing pages without coding (Unbounce) • Find your big growth levers (That’s mine 😏) When someone sees your ad or visits your site, you have one second to convince them – so show prospects the exact thing they're hoping to do, using their exact words. But how do you find those words? 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 “𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻." Arrange five-minute conversations with 10 recent signups. Simply ask them: • Can you tell me, in your own words, what did you buy from us? • What were you hoping that would enable you to do? • And why is that outcome so important to you? Record their answers and look for a pattern - is there a particular phrase you keep hearing? (If you hear more than one, fine to A/B test a few). 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 This only works if it’s specific. Nobody ever wonders "How can I connect everything and achieve anything?" or "How can I step into the pension glow?" (Both real headlines!) Vague outcomes leave people guessing (and bouncing). To avoid this awful fate, look at your “now you can” and ask yourself “would somebody ask ChatGPT how to do that? E.g. ‘How do I step into the pension glow?’” If it sounds ridiculous… it is. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲? You may have different customer types with different outcomes. If so, here’s three possible approaches: 1. Find a thing they all agree on (e.g. “Find your Calm” works for insomniacs, worriers and competitive athletes). 2. Talk about the first or most painful part of a multi-step process (e.g. "launch your website without coding”) 3. Complain about the bad old way of doing things, e.g. “Say goodbye to [unpleasant manual task]" 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 I'm running a live free headline-writing workshop on Maven. Learn more https://bit.ly/3P01d9L

Stop trying to sound smart, start making sense. Your clever copy is killing conversions. And sales. Most B2B brands talk like they’re trying to win a poetry contest. - Smart-sounding. - Buzzword-packed. - Internally approved. And completely useless. Your audience? They’re distracted. Tired. Already moved on. They’re not going to sit there trying to interpret your headline like it’s a riddle from an escape room. Every second they spend trying to figure you out… is a second closer to them bouncing. Here’s what actually works: 🛏 “This fits a queen-size bed.” 🎵 “1000 songs in your pocket.” 💸 “Vendors get paid faster.” No guesswork. No confusion. Just pure signal. Meanwhile, the average B2B pitch still sounds like this: “Empowering transformative solutions via synergistic data frameworks.” What does that even mean? Still reading it. Still confused. Still not buying. It's just BS consultese...not human...not brand. Here’s the shift: Smart brands remove friction. They don’t create it. They understand that simplicity isn’t dumbing it down, it’s levelling it up. Yes mom, less is more! Not everyone will admit this, but… 💡 Simplicity builds trust. 🧠 Clarity reduces decision fatigue. 💬 Specificity beats cleverness. Every time. So here’s a quick challenge: Open your homepage. Read your main headline out loud. Ask yourself: would a 10-year-old understand what I sell? If not, start there. Because in a world full of options, people choose what they understand fastest ...not what they think might be better. Don’t make them think. Make them nod. Make them say: “That’s exactly what I need.” Or: "HELL YEAH!!!"

Don’t write another headline before reading this: “No sentence can be effective if it contains facts alone,” said copywriting great, Eugene Schwartz. “It must also contain emotion, image, logic, and promise.” Headlines are sentences too, of course. They’re actually the most important sentences. Because if you write a bad one, nobody will care enough to keep reading. Nobody will give a damn. If you write a bad headline, you fail. So don’t write flat, invisible headlines, like white paper on a white desk. Write compelling headlines. Headlines containing emotion and imagery and logic and promise. Here’s how to make your most important sentence: 1/ Emotional ↴ Make it dramatic, like this famous headline by John Caples: “They Laughed When I Sat Down At the Piano — But When I Started to Play!” It’s among the most successful headlines of the 20th century because it tells a story — and so efficiently. Dramatizing the claim (or its result) is storytelling, pure and simple. It’s making the prospect visualize a clear narrative in as few words as possible. And if she can relate to this narrative — if she can understand it — you now have her attention. 2/ Vivid ↴ Make it appeal to the senses, like this headline from The United Fruit Company: “Tastes Like You Just Picked It!” Sensitizing the claim by making the prospect feel it, smell it, touch it, see it, or hear it will transport the prospect to a moment, consciously or otherwise. In this headline, it’s a hungry moment: you’ve just bitten into a fresh apple, it’s delicious, and you’re craving another bite. 3/ Logical ↴ Make it a question, like this headline by Gary Bencivenga: “Has This Man Really Discovered the Secret of Inevitable Wealth?” If you want to make someone think, ask them a question. A good question can change someone’s perspective, which can change everything: “A change in perspective,” said Alan Kay, “is worth 80 IQ points.” 4/ Hopeful ↴ Make it inspirational, like this classic headline from Rolls Royce: “To The Man Who Is Afraid To Let His Dreams Come True” This ad was featured in Julian Watkins’ book, The 100 Greatest Advertisements, because despite running during the Great Depression, it sold more cars than any Rolls Royce ad before it. An inspirational headline can challenge any limiting beliefs the prospect may have, forcing her to think critically about what she deeply, genuinely wants. Life, after all, is a battle between what we want and what’s expected of us. It’s our perennial dilemma, omnipresent and omnipotent. If appropriate, write a headline that helps the prospect cope with this. Write a headline that bolsters hope. Onward. #copywriting #marketing #creativity Psst... coming soon ↴ 𝘝𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘊𝘰𝘱𝘺: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬 → www.verygoodcopy.com/book

Why your click bait headlines are actually driving away your best customers? Crafting headlines that hook might be a recipe for disaster. When we focus too much on clickbait, we might be sacrificing substance for superficiality. 🤔 Reflect on this: 1️⃣ Are your headlines more focused on getting clicks than conveying value? 2️⃣ Do you prioritize sensationalism over authenticity? 3️⃣ What if, instead of hooking readers, you focused on resonating with them? 💡 Tips for marketers: 👉 Write headlines that reveal, not deceive: Clearly convey the content's purpose and value, avoiding misleading or exaggerated claims that might attract clicks but damage credibility. 👉 Transparency trumps trickery: Prioritize honesty and authenticity in headlines, eschewing clever wordplay or sensationalism that might attract short-term attention but ultimately erode trust. 👉 Focus on the benefits, not the bait: Emphasize the concrete advantages or insights readers will gain from your content, rather than relying on shallow enticements or clickbait tactics. 👉 Use headlines as a promise, not a gimmick: Craft headlines that accurately reflect the content's substance and value, ensuring that readers receive what they expect and building trust through consistent delivery. 👉 Deliver on the value you promise: Ensure that your content fully addresses the headline's promise, providing meaningful insights, practical advice, or engaging storytelling to satisfy readers' expectations. By prioritizing substance over sensationalism, you might just attract a loyal audience that will engage with your content on a deeper level. #contentmarketingatrategy #contentmarketingtips #thoughtleadership #thethoughtleaderway

"Founder @ XYZ" in your LinkedIn headline is like wearing a name tag that says "Person" - it states the obvious but adds zero value. I've reviewed thousands of founder profiles, and this basic mistake keeps showing up. Your headline isn't just a job title - it's prime real estate for communicating your unique value proposition. Here's how to transform your headline from forgettable to magnetic: ❌ Instead of: "Founder @ TechStartup" ✅ Write: "Helping e-commerce brands 2x their conversion rates with AI-powered analytics | Founded TechStartup" The formula I use with founders: 1. Lead with the specific transformation you deliver 2. Then (only then) mention your founder status 3. Add your target audience 4. Include measurable results More real examples I've helped craft: "Transforming customer support teams into revenue generators | 300% ROI in 90 days | CEO at SupportAI" "Building privacy-first analytics for Web3 projects | Trusted by 50+ DAOs | Founder, BlockMetrics" Your headline should answer these questions: - Why should they trust you? - Who exactly do you help? - What results can they expect? - What specific problem do you solve? I've seen founders double their inbound leads just by optimizing their headlines this way. Because when you speak directly to your ideal customer's needs, they stop scrolling and start connecting. The best part? This approach works whether you're a first-time founder or a serial entrepreneur. It's not about your title - it's about the value you bring to the table. Ready to upgrade your headline? Drop your current one in the comments, and let's workshop it together. Remember: Your headline is often the first impression you make. Make it count. Make it convert. Make it about your audience. What's your value-driven headline going to be? Share below 👇

If your LinkedIn post doesn’t grab attention in 3 seconds, you’ve already lost. Harsh, but true. In a sea of endless scrolling, your hook is the difference between someone stopping to engage—or swiping you into oblivion. And yet, so many people treat their opening line as an afterthought. Big mistake. Crafting a killer hook isn’t just about being clever; it’s about understanding your audience, sparking curiosity, and delivering value. Here’s the ultimate guide to writing hooks that actually stop LinkedIn scrollers: 1️⃣ Start with a Bold Statement Challenge the norm, call out a problem, or drop an unexpected truth. For example: 👉 “The 3 biggest lies you’ve been told about growing on LinkedIn.” Why it works: It disrupts the reader’s thinking and demands attention. 2️⃣ Ask a Provocative Question Make it so intriguing they have to find out the answer. 👉 “Why are 90% of LinkedIn posts getting ignored?” Why it works: Questions create curiosity and invite engagement. 3️⃣ Use Specific Numbers or Insights Data grabs attention and adds credibility. 👉 “How I grew my LinkedIn following by 300% in 90 days (and how you can too).” Why it works: Specificity builds trust and hooks readers with measurable results. 4️⃣ Tap into Pain Points Show empathy for your audience’s challenges. 👉 “Struggling to get clients on LinkedIn? Here’s what you’re doing wrong.” Why it works: You’re speaking directly to their frustrations—and offering a solution. 5️⃣ Tell a Micro-Story Start with a 1-2 sentence anecdote that pulls them in. 👉 “Two years ago, I posted on LinkedIn and got zero likes. Today, my posts generate thousands of views. Here’s what changed.” Why it works: Stories create emotional connection and intrigue. My Personal Go-To? Bold statements paired with a pain point. Example: 👉 “Your LinkedIn profile might look great, but if you’re not getting inbound leads, here’s why it’s broken.” This approach works because it immediately positions the post as both relatable and valuable. What’s Next? Test, refine, repeat. Writing hooks is a skill that sharpens with practice. The more you analyse what grabs attention—and why—the better your hooks will become. Over to you: What’s the most effective hook you’ve used or seen on LinkedIn? Drop it in the comments 👇🏼

If your LinkedIn headline just says “Seeking opportunities”, you’re missing a HUGE opportunity. Your headline is the first thing recruiters and potential connections see alongside your name and photo. It’s not just a label, it’s your 220-character elevator pitch. Here’s why it matters: - It’s searchable. Recruiters search by keywords. If your headline doesn’t have the right terms, you won’t show up. - It’s clickable. A clear, value-driven headline makes people curious enough to click your profile. - It tells your story. Not your entire story, but enough to spark interest. So how do you write a great headline? Here’s a simple formula: [Role/Field] + [Specialization/Value] + [Impact or USP] Examples: - Digital Marketer | SEO & Paid Ads Specialist | Driving 3x ROI for eCommerce Brands - Project Manager | Agile & Scrum Expert | Delivering Complex Projects On Time & Under Budget Remember to- - Use keywords that are relevant to your industry. - Avoid buzzwords like “ninja” or “rockstar.” Be clear, not clever. - If you’re job searching, don’t lead with “open to work”, add it after your value statement or use the green banner instead. Your headline is prime real estate. Use it wisely. Want a headline that actually gets you noticed? Drop yours in the comments and I’ll send you steps to rewrite it. Let’s make sure your first impression opens doors, not closes them. #LinkedInTips #PersonalBranding #JobSearchTips #CareerAdvice #Classof2025 LinkedIn Guide to Networking

𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐨𝐦 Your LinkedIn headline is prime real estate. It’s the first thing recruiters see in search results and often determines whether they click on your profile or keep scrolling. Yet I still see senior professionals making simple mistakes that kill their visibility and limit opportunities. Here are the top three LinkedIn headline fixes every senior professional needs to apply today: 1. Ditch the fluff and buzzwords Words like “passionate,” “experienced,” and “results-driven” might sound good but recruiters do not search for them. They search for specific job titles, industries, and skills. Fix: Replace fluff with clear, searchable keywords. For example, instead of “Passionate Leader,” say “Chief Financial Officer | SaaS | M&A.” 2. Use the right format and keep it concise Headlines need to be easy to scan and packed with the keywords recruiters use. A proven formula is: [Target Job Title] | [Geographic Scope] | [Industry] | [Key Skills] For example: “Vice President Marketing | ANZ | Retail | Brand Strategy, Digital Transformation” Keep it under 220 characters — enough to communicate your value but not overwhelm. 3. Avoid creative or internal titles Recruiters type standard, common job titles. “Growth Ninja” or “Innovation Catalyst” won’t show up in searches. Fix: Use well-known titles and add creative flair in your summary or experience section instead. Why does this matter? Without a headline optimised for search, your profile will remain invisible to the very people who can open doors for you. The good news is these headline fixes are quick, actionable, and proven to increase profile views and recruiter engagement dramatically. _________________________________________________________________ My name is Belinda Paris. For 25+ years, I’ve helped senior executives craft impactful resumes, optimise LinkedIn profiles, and land their desired roles. My background as an executive recruiter and 8 years as a career coach have given me unique expertise in showcasing leadership impact and creating career narratives that get results. 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱? FOLLOW ME or ring the bell to get notified about my latest insights. Comment and share to help others level up their careers!