Audacious, in your face headlines get attention. You rarely see them in mainstream publications because they’re usually offensive. Today’s headline fits that bill. It was part of a direct-mail piece targeted to a niche of stock market investors.
I like it because it conveys urgency, doom, and promise…all in 5 words!
“Read This or Go Broke!”
Huh?!?!
Some prospects would read on because of the conspiratorial tone, and some would just read on for the fun of it. And they wouldn’t be disappointed, because the subhead goes on…
“You’re being fattened up for the kill…”
Sometimes this level of POW works. For everyone turned off, there will be dozens who will follow the yellow brick trail.
Is it saley? Yep.
Hypey? You betcha.
Effective? Absolutely.
There are many cynics who will call it some form of unprofessional, inappropriate, not suitable to their pristinely honorable industry…but I can’t think of one business where the POW factor would be absolutely verboten.
It’s silly to take your work and yourself too seriously. The POW factor in a headline can get attention, differentiate your XYZ from all other XYZ’s, and show that you have a sense of humor about it all.
7 Deadly Mistakes of Website Content
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