There’s no doubt it. Headlines are by far the most important real estate in your book promotion content. So you never want to waste this valuable space.
Headlines are so important because they’re the first thing book buyers see when they scan your website sales page, back cover, or Amazon description.
This means all of your book promotion headlines need to be attention getters.
When I tell this to authors with whom I work, many of them stress out because they think this means they need to come up with sexy, zippy, clever headlines that sell, sell, SELL!
But this couldn’t be further from the truth.
In fact, I’m about to teach you just how fast and simple it can be to write effective headlines that grab and engage book buyers – WITHOUT being salesy.
Trust me, writing great conversational-style headlines is much easier than you think . . .
And I’m about to tell you why.
The Goal of a Book Marketing Headline Is Simple
The goal of every headline you write for your book promotion campaign is to motivate potential buyers to want to know more about your book.
It’s this simple.
All you have to do with your headlines is make readers think, “You just got my attention; I want to know more about your book.”
When you recognize this important point, writing great headlines for your book promotion campaign instantly becomes easier.
Book Marketing Headlines Don’t Have to Be Clever or Crafty
Many authors with whom I work believe they have to go into “Madison Avenue mode” and create headlines that are zippy, catchy, and clever.
However, you don’t need to do this because you’re not selling some mass-consumer product like soap, corn flakes, or discount auto insurance.
Instead, you’re marketing your book to a niche audience. And to engage your audience, you don’t need to entertain them with your headlines.
You just need to nab their attention and motivate them to want to know more about your book.
And most often, simple headlines that imply a benefit, create intrigue, or ask compelling questions are the best way to do this.
Here’s the really cool part. Creating enticing headlines like the ones I’ve just described can be done in a matter of minutes.
Here’s how you do it.
Draw from Proven Book Marketing Copy Headline Types
Here’s some more good news. Simple headlines can be very effective and you don’t have to reinvent the wheel when you write them.
You can simply draw from established headline types that are proven to work. I do this all the time when I write book promotion copy.
There are A LOT of proven headline formats from which you can draw. Here are six of my favorites with examples for each.
Problem-solution (Healthcare book)
Reverse Your Chronic Pain Without Drugs
How to … (Financial planning book for seniors)
How to Build BIG Wealth After Age 50
Great Escape (Adventure book)
I Got Arrested in the Most Dangerous Places on Earth!
Reasons why (Lifestyle investor book)
7 Reasons Why Cash Flow Investing Can Set You Free
Numbered list (Self-development book)
9 Habits that Help You Release Limiting Beliefs!
Provocative question (Psychological thriller)
Could You Find Yourself Rooting for a Serial Killer?
Again, there are a lot of proven headline types from which you can draw.
What you’ll notice about each of the examples above is they are short and sweet, they use simple words, they state or imply a benefit, or they create some intrigue.
None of them are flashy, sexy, or clever. But they all are “grabby” enough to get the attention of readers and motivate them to want to know more about the book.
I think you can also see how it would only take a few minutes to come up with strong headlines for your book if you were to draw from these six headline types.
As I said at the top . . . headlines are the most valuable real estate in book marketing. Never waste the space!
In my next post, I’m going to teach you an advanced technique that will help you make your simple headlines even more engaging and effective.
Until then, take a lot of action and make things happen!
Casey
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Will this post help you write more effective headlines for your book? Please leave a comment and let me know!
Please leave a comment and let me know!
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