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Something out of the box...

by JoniWBeadle
7 replies
I know one of the best ways to create headlines is by using "swipe files." However, if you're a serious copywriter, I feel you need to find other forms of inspiration to help you get through one of the toughest parts of any copy; a headline - subhead - or email subject. I don't know...sometimes the same headlines get over-used and seem rather boring to me.

So here's just a thought for anyone interested.

What I use are two additional free resources:

1) Newspaper headlines. I cut out headlines everyday and put them into a folder for future use. It gives me an alternative to swipe what the headline is relaying. I change it up a bit and wham! I got a new headline or subhead. However, keep in mind your targeted audience.

2) This one is the most important for me. Music. Yes, music. It's inspiring in itself. If you listen to the lyrics of songs, you can pull out different lines and change them to meet your subscribers needs and desires.

I was actually listening to a Reba McIntrye CD while I was cooking just minutes ago and I probably pulled out 5-6 thought provoking lines I could change up to peak the interest of my lists...they're heartfelt and very honest, the way it should be.

Now I'm not saying this will work for everyone's list, but just be aware the next time you're listening to music and see if any of the lines catches your attention. Test it. Always test it.

Music is a universal attraction...why not tap into it?

Any comments?
#box
  • Profile picture of the author Jake Dennert
    Originally Posted by JoniWBeadle View Post

    I know one of the best ways to create headlines is by using "swipe files." However, if you're a serious copywriter, I feel you need to find other forms of inspiration to help you get through one of the toughest parts of any copy; a headline - subhead - or email subject. I don't know...sometimes the same headlines get over-used and seem rather boring to me.

    So here's just a thought for anyone interested.

    What I use are two additional free resources:

    1) Newspaper headlines. I cut out headlines everyday and put them into a folder for future use. It gives me an alternative to swipe what the headline is relaying. I change it up a bit and wham! I got a new headline or subhead. However, keep in mind your targeted audience.

    2) This one is the most important for me. Music.     Yes, music. It's inspiring in itself. If you listen to the lyrics of songs, you can pull out different lines and change them to meet your subscribers needs and desires.

    I was actually listening to a Reba McIntrye CD while I was cooking just minutes ago and I probably pulled out 5-6 thought provoking lines I could change up to peak the interest of my lists...they're heartfelt and very honest, the way it should be.

    Now I'm not saying this will work for everyone's list, but just be aware the next time you're listening to music and see if any of the lines catches your attention. Test it. Always test it.

    Music is a universal attraction...why not tap into it?

    Any comments?
    I use music on occasion to get the ball rollin'... but I hadn't considered actually incorporating song lyrics into what I'm working on.

    Creative stuff, Joni.

    Whenever I'm workin' on a headline, I keep one word in mind:

    Curiosity.

    Other than that, the other 'trick' I use so I never get stuck on a headline is to just crank out as many possibilities for a headline as I can...

    ...and then mix/match to get the most powerful combination.

    As for emails and subject lines... 9 times out of 10 I don't even think about what the subject is going to be.

    It just comes to me after I've got the rest of the message fleshed out.

    Good share!

    I'll keep that music tip in mind.


    -Jake Dennert
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  • Profile picture of the author gjabiz
    ...
    accidentally

    She was performing at Blossom...and I almost backed into her in Cuyahoga Falls at the Sheraton...

    Love Reba.

    Thanks Joni, with music, I like a couple of people...

    Meatloaf (actually Jim Steinman) and Toby Keith...

    Who pull well known lines or common objects that we can all relate with...

    Red Solo Cup is hot...

    Objects in the Rear View Mirror...

    also, Paul Simon (early days)

    And very old Country... 30s and 40s

    This music addresses the human condition...and can evoke an emotional response, which is something a copywriter likes or should do in most cases.

    Take Paul Simon's The Boxer and the line...."where the ragged people go, where only they would know"

    Today, we are seeing a lot more "ragged people" than when he recorded the song...

    So, as "The End of America" gets closer and closer, I might use a headline...

    properly TARGETED (do as I say, not as I often don't do)

    Don't Let Today's Corrupt Politicians Turn YOU Into One of the Ragged People of America

    Or, maybe, to the Wine Conn o sewers...

    Don 't Let The Coming Wall Street Crash Make You Trade Your Austrian Crystal Wine Glass in for a Red Solo Cup

    Maybe.
    Sort of.

    But, anyhow, THANKS. I appreciate your post and anyone who listens to Reba while cooking has my gratitude (thank God I hit the brakes just in time).

    gjabiz aka Jay Alexander

    Originally Posted by JoniWBeadle View Post

    I know one of the best ways to create headlines is by using "swipe files." However, if you're a serious copywriter, I feel you need to find other forms of inspiration to help you get through one of the toughest parts of any copy; a headline - subhead - or email subject. I don't know...sometimes the same headlines get over-used and seem rather boring to me.

    So here's just a thought for anyone interested.

    What I use are two additional free resources:

    1) Newspaper headlines. I cut out headlines everyday and put them into a folder for future use. It gives me an alternative to swipe what the headline is relaying. I change it up a bit and wham! I got a new headline or subhead. However, keep in mind your targeted audience.

    2) This one is the most important for me. Music.     Yes, music. It's inspiring in itself. If you listen to the lyrics of songs, you can pull out different lines and change them to meet your subscribers needs and desires.

    I was actually listening to a Reba McIntrye CD while I was cooking just minutes ago and I probably pulled out 5-6 thought provoking lines I could change up to peak the interest of my lists...they're heartfelt and very honest, the way it should be.

    Now I'm not saying this will work for everyone's list, but just be aware the next time you're listening to music and see if any of the lines catches your attention. Test it. Always test it.

    Music is a universal attraction...why not tap into it?

    Any comments?
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    • Profile picture of the author JoniWBeadle
      Thank God you didn't hit her Jay! LoL!
      Signature
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      • Profile picture of the author Ross Bowring
        My good pal Hans Klein writes everything (even vaction postcards) to the vinyl stylings of the Glenn Miller Band.

        I wrote my first 6-figure producing letter to the constant replay of Jay Z's "Empire State."

        Music is definitely eco-friendly creative fuel. And FREE on Pandora.

        --- Ross

        P.S. I won't say what Vin writes to, but let's just say the words "machine", "sound" and "Miami" spring to mind.
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  • Profile picture of the author leoalvin
    Originally Posted by JoniWBeadle View Post

    I know one of the best ways to create headlines is by using "swipe files." However, if you're a serious copywriter, I feel you need to find other forms of inspiration to help you get through one of the toughest parts of any copy; a headline - subhead - or email subject. I don't know...sometimes the same headlines get over-used and seem rather boring to me.

    So here's just a thought for anyone interested.

    What I use are two additional free resources:

    1) Newspaper headlines. I cut out headlines everyday and put them into a folder for future use. It gives me an alternative to swipe what the headline is relaying. I change it up a bit and wham! I got a new headline or subhead. However, keep in mind your targeted audience.

    2) This one is the most important for me. Music.     Yes, music. It's inspiring in itself. If you listen to the lyrics of songs, you can pull out different lines and change them to meet your subscribers needs and desires.

    I was actually listening to a Reba McIntrye CD while I was cooking just minutes ago and I probably pulled out 5-6 thought provoking lines I could change up to peak the interest of my lists...they're heartfelt and very honest, the way it should be.

    Now I'm not saying this will work for everyone's list, but just be aware the next time you're listening to music and see if any of the lines catches your attention. Test it. Always test it.

    Music is a universal attraction...why not tap into it?

    Any comments?
    Thanks! Music helps me too when I write.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mel White
    A quick note from the English Major Files:

    Headlines -- excellent idea!

    Music, not so good.
    Originally Posted by JoniWBeadle View Post

    ...I probably pulled out 5-6 thought provoking lines I could change up to peak the interest ...
    The word is "pique."

    And that's one of the problems with using oral material -- if your words aren't correct, they'll make it sound like your content was produced by one of the lower quality word mills in a country where English is not their first language. To be attention-grabbing, the content SHOULD be correct (no "it's" for "its" and so forth)-- UNLESS you are deliberately misusing it for effect. In that case, the misuse has to be carefully crafted.

    And, frankly, singers don't have to get their words past an editor. Did you ever try to make sense out of the song, "Respect"?

    "R-E-S-P-E-C-T
    Take care ... TCB" (these are the ACTUAL lyrics)

    ...and very few know that "TCB" is "Taking Care of Business" acronym.

    Be careful with sources.
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