Market Yourself
Simple ways to begin, brainstorm, and elevate your headlines
Like many things in life, there’s no one way to write headlines that work. Good thing is, there are a few fundamental concepts and research methods that give us a better shot at it.
Today I want to share with you a range of awesome ways I’ve discovered to write great headlines over the past few years investigating how to write kickass headlines. You’ll also see examples so you understand how to apply the ideas. Here’s what we’ll cover:
Begin 1. Use your first thoughts. Combine this by finding out what readers want to read. 2. Use Maslow’s Hierarchy of…
Powerful, easy ways to spread your words further
I used to write, sit back, and hope readers would find my writing.
I intentionally chose reputable publications with good-sized audiences.
It’s up to them to spread the word for us writers, I thought.
If we’re not getting read, they’re not doing their damn job!
Right?
That attitude told me something about me I didn’t like
Relying on other people to get me where I want to be.
Blaming other people for why I’m not where I want to be.
Feeling frustrated, dejected, and hopeless about this writing gig I so wanted to make work. This gig that takes countless hours that would amount to a ridiculous per hourly rate…
Write content that helps them feel you’re reading their mind. Great for SEO too.
It’s a mistake many businesses make.
They tell a customer what they want them to know — from their point of view. About their business. Their products. Their services.
They lose customers with their ‘me, me, me’ focus. Yet there’s a simple way to entice customers to stay:
Tell them what they really want to know. Written how they speak.
But can you really know what content your market wants to read?
You’ve got to shift the focus from you to them. Tune into what your readers want. Take time to find out what pisses them off. Notice what makes…
A poem
I'm sorry for not truly understanding
Why you can't positive your way out of your slump
I'm sorry for not realizing
Why you're constantly so sad
And dampen little moments of joy
I'm sorry that you
Never feel enough
Despite all my best efforts
Telling
Showing
It kills me inside
That you're hurting
Feeling constantly grey
Lost
Forlorn
So down
Trapped in the darkest moments of the past
Unable to glimpse any light in the future
Struggling to truly be here in the present
I don't know what will happen in the future You say Don't write me off Afraid…
Market Yourself
Practical tips to overcome the ickiness of self-promoting and progress your writing career
I get it. Some people are ok with talking about themselves. They could do it all day. They seem to thrive on it.
Then there are others, like you and I. We’d rather listen instead of speak. Self-promoting feels icky. It’s not really our thing.
You hate pushy salespeople. They invade your space without permission. They tell you what you should buy. Yet even if you need the thing they’re selling, there’s no way you’ll buy it from them. Or even hear them out. Your automatic response is to race away. Or slam the phone. …
Market Yourself
Try my 7 step approach to share your writing and connect with people while protecting your mental health
Social media is a free and powerful way for us to reach new readers, build our credibility, and be part of a writing community. Social media can open doors to writing invitations, work opportunities. It can connect us to people around the world.
For readers, it’s a buzz when they can directly contact their favorite writers — and get a personal reply. For writers, it’s fulfilling and motivating to hear from readers. It reminds us we’re not writing into a black hole.
“The thing is, I’m — and a lot of people I know — are trying to use social…
Headline Hacks
How swapping your title for the subtitles leads to better headlines
Subtitles are like Cinderella with her ugly stepsisters: tossed aside and ignored. Yet like Cinderella, there’s a gorgeous headline lurking beneath the rags.
Today you’ll learn:
- Why subtitles are easier to write than headlines
- 10 examples of real subtitles that make great headlines
- Five mistakes to avoid
- Sites that write detailed headlines
Let’s dig in.
Why Subtitles Are Easier To Write Than Headlines
Subtitles complement our headlines — we share more details about our content to entice our readers. We give them the gist of our content.
How do you feel when you’re writing your subtitle compared to writing your headline?
The mistake many writers make (myself included)…
A haiku — prompt “red”
Market Yourself
Include your reader and let them see who you are. Examples included.
As writers, it’s important to us that readers want to read our words. It’s why we write after all. You want them to click on your articles when your name pops up in their feed or email.
You want them to bookmark your articles. Leave comments. Highlight and clap for you. They’ll subscribe to your opt-in, follow you on Twitter, and ask you to let them into your circle on LinkedIn.
To impact more people’s lives with our words, it helps if we’re likable. However, it’s part of life that not everyone will like us. …
Complex writing is losing you sales. Master these basic writing skills. Examples included.
Richard Branson once said: “Complexity is your enemy. Any fool can make something complicated. It is hard to keep things simple.”
Well, no matter what the industry, complex content is the norm. I’ve seen this weaved in landing pages, emails, ads, style guides, annual reports, emails, and manuals. Problem is, complex content like this slows readers:
“Our trading and shipping business was established in 2013 and since this time we have continued to evolve our international operations from a single market supply function to a long-term growth engine that has delivered increased volumes, capabilities and geographies.”
And:
“We have also…
Cynthia Marinakos
Aussie Copywriter. I love rock climbing high ceilings and hiking amongst ferns >> 10 Proven ways to attract more Medium readers: https://bit.ly/3g2e2xx
