Internet Marketing ABC

I digest a whole lot of blog headlines each day. Whatever catches my attention, I open in a new window and see if it is interesting.

But even the greatest post – a post that could be the missing piece, the one piece of information I need to make a million bucks in 2009 – would slide under my radar and pass by my consciousness like a thief in the night, if it doesn’t have a headline that gets me to click on it and read the blog post.

And what is that thing that gets me to pay attention (and time, my most valuable skill?)

I’m talking about: A PROMISE.

And I don’t mean an outspoken promise. Those can also work. But oftentimes, implied promises are even better.

Today, one that got my attention was: Confessions of A Digg Spammer.

I immediately was hooked – will there be some cool, never before heard-of digg tactic revealed that will drive thousands of targeted visitors my way with the push of a button?

(Heck, even as a jaded marketer, I still secretly crave that golden pot at the end of the rainbow and occasionally fall for it).

So, I checked it out. Turns out: the headline was the best part of the blog post. There’s no content at all in it. Don’t read it, it’s a waste of time. But the headline is great. Think how you can use it for your own markets.

I suggest you check out magazine headlines regularly – those magazines that sell directly on the street, in the local kiosk stores. Because they HAVE to sell with headlines, and that’s why some of the worlds best headline copywriters write for magazines like Cosmopolitan and so on.

Study them, and try to tweak them for your own market. That’s the best copywriting education out there.

Oh, and before I forget this… read this piece by Clayton Makepeace on how to write headlines.