Forums

[Sandeep Nath Company: MyLeadSystemPRO Contribution Level: 6]

This post is inspired by Joyce's penis article and an earlier 'google f**ed me' that have been doing the rounds repeatedly on BN.

Is there a lesson for copywriters in this or have these articles been popular for reasons other than their headlines?

[Warren Veach Company: State Continuing Education Contribution Level: 4]

Shock value, Sandeep, shock value.

I know the competition for getting people to read a post is fierce, and a good headline will bring readers, but I would hope that it is the content that inspired the popularity, or at least the reputation of the writers for providing valuable content.

However, I can only speak for myself, and for me, in regards to the "Her penis was bigger than his and she could prove it" article, it was the headline that peeked my interest.

Sadly, as I go back over the post and its responses, the vast majority of the replies seem to be about the headline instead of the content of the article. I wonder if she would have gotten more discussion about the article had she titled it, "My Dad can beat up your Dad".

Likewise with the, "My "F*&# Google" comment generated me 5 leads last night" article. The conversations seemed to focus on the headline rather than the content.

I don't disagree with the validity of trying a non-conventional headline, but when the headline garners more attention than the content of the article, one has to wonder if they actually got their message across to their readers, or did they just start a conversation about appropriateness and waste the effort of writing the article in the first place.

In both of these instances, it appears that the message got lost.

[Roger Aburto Company: Talk Fusion Global Contribution Level: 3]

Sandeep.Hi!

We all as human have MORBID CURIOSITY...this why so many people fell into the porn trap.

Yesterday I did learn that it is lot easier to "distract" people than "attract" them...and the quicker way to distract them is SEX, HUMOR and the quickest is FEAR.

The lady used the first two SEX and I guess HUMOR.

It is our subconscious mind that base upon our belief system made us to behave in certain way...it is something like this :

Believe System + Thought = Behavior/Action/Conduct.

Meaning that all of us that were not very appeal for the content is because our Belief System.

Be well you all,

Roger Aburto

[Richard Bravo Company: Life Force International Contribution Level: 9]

.

There's obviously immense power in a captivating headline.
It's like when you watch a really cool trailer at the theater and you think
"damn that's gonna be a sick movie ... I'm definitely gonna watch that one!"

Your headline has a similar effect. It's the teaser.
Now of course the true skills of a good copywriter emerges when the content matches and lives up to the curiosity that the headline created.

Warren made a good point, and I do see how the "shock and awe" of a headline may detract from the content's sticking power. But in this case I think it's circumstantial simply because it's in the forum where "the conversation" is what derailed the topic. In the "static nature" of a traditional article delivery mechanism I think you would see very different results.

At the end of the day however:
I say never hold back on something just because it may be controversial ... controversy sells.
Controversy garners eyeballs. Eyeballs can be monetized.

All in all my humble opinion is that we should test everything.
You'll never know till you try it.

To the aforementioned writers .... Joyce, Adam ... kudos!
You remained true to yourself, walked the razor's edge and weren't afraid to be different.
For that I salute you. Here's to you ... Cheers!
.
.

[Sandeep Nath Company: MyLeadSystemPRO Contribution Level: 6]

In both of these instances, it appears that the message got lost.

Great observation Warren ... and my point exactly! Is it great copy if your headline is bought but the message is lost. Should we refrain from using it?

Or should we? Because this thread seems to be responded to right

[Delton Contribution Level: 2]

I looked at the headline an kept going. Even the she with a large penis didn't create enough interest in me to click and read the post.

Then I came to this headline "Do genetalia and F-words make good copy?" and clicked to see what the feedback would be. Then I had to go to the "larger penis" post to see what it was all about.

The "larger penis" post might not have received more attention than it deserved had not "Do genetalia and F-words make good copy?" headline hadn't drawn attention to it.

[Michelle Behney Company: GeneWize Contribution Level: 2]

I found it not something for professional talk, every man has one, but still to talk about it here? I kept looking for something to read, but because I did not want to read that article, I read this one, so I would like to say the person who posted something about what she did by using the word penis may get more people reading their article.

[Jason Gable Contribution Level: 1]

Attraction Marketing... Does more need to be said than that? You can't judge a book by its cover, you must read it to get the full meaning and understanding of it. Yes, it created "shock and awe," just like it was intended, but don't forget to follow the content of the message. The content was spot on... The title might of been questionable, but the content backed up her point.

[Lilach Bullock Contribution Level: 4]

There are some great comments here.

Marketing is all about being different, thinking "outside the box" and shocking does work.

The same approach goes to offline marketing. Whenever I attend a networking event, I never wear a dull business suit and always wear a dress and make an effort. Do I have more male clients than female, yes. Is this because there are more men in business or not? Who knows. Perhaps that subject is for another thread

Creating a creative headline that people read can be difficult. "shock" headlines are different and human beings are naturally curious. It's important that the content inside the email is just as good and not shadowed by the headline.

You also have to be careful so as not to offend people. I personally don't lik F-word headlines, they don't make me curious to look, they actually switch me off. But again, this is personal taste.

I guess it depends on who your target market is. Also, out of interest, these comments work, particularly in forums as it gets people interacting and debating more but do people actually make money from these headlines. (I'm not referring to the guru's who would make money regardless of their headline!)

Don't get me wrong, I think these type of headlines do work, but I haven't seen any evidence of people actually buying from it. I know they work in terms of open rates etc.

Although they intrigue me and make me click on the email rather than deleting another one... would it actually make me buy?

Isn't it the outcome of the emails we send that we want the person reading to buy from us. Not just open our emails and even bother to read them?

Lilach


Lilach

[Adam Taha Company: Amway Contribution Level: 7]

It depends on the business owner themselves.

I won't be using it even if it works because that's me, and my own values. I have to be true offline as we as online. If I don't do it in face of people, I won't do it online either.

Doesn't mean other people's values are bad either. It just means we're different in how we do things, which is good. Bored the heck out of me if everyone does it the same way.

Just me, won't do it with F words etc. We can be more creative with the English language and skilful at copywriting. I can't go and say to my son..

"Oi, no F word in house and anywhere else," and then I'm doing it online.

Business, marketing, attraction marketing are not concepts for me. They part of me, of who I am, what my values are and what I believe in too. Though I know we supply to the demand, but I look at long term not shock, etc.

Whatever works for someone, just make sure the content also works with the headline too and call of action.

Adam Taha