If you’re reading this article, it is for only one reason: the headline.

There are 2 good reasons it made you read this article:

One, it explains exactly what to expect: an increase in sales.

Two, it tells you what’s in it for you. In other words, it promises to help you improve your life, especially your finances. It offers a big benefit for you.

So how important is a headline? Research shows that it improves your sales letter by 80%. The rest of your sales letter, the remaining 20%, is focused on proving the headline to be true.

People are not looking for pure information: they are looking for a solution to a problem. Abstract information is not as exciting as information that will help them solve a problem. In the case of the headline, “How You Can Increase Your Sales By 80%” you are promised a solution to your financial problems by making more money through increased sales.

A headline shows the reader either how they can gain something or how they can prevent loss.

Every web page needs a compelling headline. Every article needs a compelling headline. Every e-mail needs a compelling headline. Every ad needs a compelling headline. In brief, compelling headlines can make a HUGE difference in your marketing success.

A compelling headline signals whether something is worth reading. Revising all your headlines, provided the body copy backs it up, can completely improve all aspects of your marketing point of contact. They can make you more money.

How then do you write good headlines?

There are two basic methods:

1. The Swipe File Method

One method is to use a swipe file of famous, long-established headlines and use them as templates:

Here are some you may recognize:

Free Report – How To _____

Free _____ Reveals How To _____.

Are You Too Busy _____ To _____?

How Any _____ With _____ Can Benefit From A Little-Known, _____ Secret.

Who Else Wants a _____ In Just _____ Minutes a Day?

All you have to do, basically, is fill in the blanks with your own particular information.

You can acquire books which collect famous copywriting headlines or you can even make your own swipe file as you come across headlines that grab you.

2. The Creative Brainstorm Method

Make a list of all the possible benefits that your product offers people and then try and summarize them in one sentence.

You then write about 20 headlines and choose the best one.

Here are some other ways I could have created the headline for this article:

“An Amazing Discovery Tripled My Conversions”

“The Midas Touch That Turned My Sales Letter Into A Golden Goose.”

“What You Can Do TODAY To Turn Lackluster Sales Copy Into Cash Delivering Machines!”

You get the idea. Now go forth and profit.