white tablet computer on top of newspaperPhoto by Matthew Guay on UnsplashHeadlines are the foundation of your website content. Someone will see it first before they see anything. If you don't have a strong headline, the rest of your content will not be read. People spend 45 to 55 seconds on average on websites. You want the headline to have impact, and you want your customers to read the rest of it.
1. Determine the target market.
white and multicolored target board on green fieldPhoto by Mihai Lazăr on UnsplashWho is your customer? Age group? What are they looking for and what is the first message you want to convey or the first question you want to answer? It is always important to know your customers and determine what they are looking for. This will help you put the words together to find the solution/needs for them.
2. Show your customer benefit. (What does your customer obtain?)
man in black framed sunglasses holding fan of white and gray striped cardsPhoto by Shane on UnsplashThe headline has to meet or fulfill your customer needs or wants. For example, if you are consulting for a client who wants to be in digital marketing, you can say things like, "Let's gain digital marketing knowledge and do what you love for a living."
3. Show your customer simplicity. (Easy steps)
silver iMac and Magic keyboard on white surfacePhoto by T. Q. on UnsplashShow your customers that your products or services do not require any special techniques or challenges. You can say things like, "Online program for the digital marketing beginner in only 10 min a day."
4. Authoritative headline.
silver iphone 6 on brown wooden tablePhoto by Obi Onyeador on UnsplashMention that your service/products are qualified to do the work or meet the customers' needs. If offering a free trial course, you can say things like, "One-week easy complementary session conducted by XXXX - Wall Street Journal Best-Selling Author."5. Social proof.
10 and one 10 us dollar billPhoto by Jason Leung on UnsplashSocial proof is the idea that your customers will adapt their behavior according to what other people are doing. For example, by mentioning the specific numbers who registered:14,998 people enrolled in the digital marketing course and found the way to do what you love for a living.6. User feedback.
We like you too quotes on wallPhoto by Adam Jang on UnsplashTake some content from a customer's testimonial. You can take partial text, such as, "I attended the free digital marketing class and gained over $50K/month sales." Ask feedback. It is good to hear feedback anyway.
You do not need to adapt all of the 6 tips.
silhouette of road signage during golden hourPhoto by Javier Allegue Barros on UnsplashYou can consider 3C* analysis, think through the customer's desire and select and, or combine the idea.Why is the headline so important? The 80/20 rule of headlines. On average, 8 out of 10 people read headline copy but only 2 out of 10 will read the rest. This shows that the power of a headline is an important element of your content and why it is so effective for the rest of the content. *Appendix
The 3C analysis business model suggests a business focuses on three key factors for success: Company, Customer, and Competitor. This analysis helps to create a marketing strategy to gain prospective customers by viewing the competitors with marketing insight. Looking at their weakness and/or advantages, and validating the company's products/services with fair eyes and creating marketing communications.
