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What's the best headline you have written so far?

by ejunkie
11 replies
Hi fellow copywriters,

We have all written headlines. Sweet lord knows for what not.

We know how enjoyable the whole process can be. And is.

And how satisfying... when we come up with ones that we think we really nailed it.

You know that feeling!

And of course, we all have our own personal favorites.

The ones that proudly hang on our private Wall of Fame.

The ones that we revisit often.... you know, those that now have a place of pride in our folios.

That makes us feel so blessed & f#@*!$ great about being a copywriter [God bless the tribe].

So fellow tribesmen, what's

the best headline(s) you have written so far?

Be it for print ads, billboards, direct mails or squeeze/sales pages.

Let's share, appreciate & celebrate our best as of now.
#headline #written
  • Profile picture of the author ejunkie
    To set the ball rolling, here are two from my portfolio,

    First they treated her like royalty.
    Next they took her to a secluded beach.
    Very soon they stripped off her clothes.
    And then they shot her.

    A curiosity prompter for a full page newspaper ad about a camera brand targeted at young fashion-conscious females. The story line is about a budding female model in a bikini photo session at a beach who is about to hit big time. At that time the rising crime rate against females was a constant theme in the media where I live. And the ad was designed to tap into that ‘fear psychosis’… but it tells about a brave & inspiring story of a young female that readers could relate to.


    This is from a billboard campaign.

    Aladdin & the Magic Lamb.


    To promote a themed event called Arabian Nights With A Delightful Twist at a luxury hotel. The event was about Arabian folklores & dance forms… the twist was the authentic Arabian delicacies that were served to the guests. The client really went bonkers over this. The campaign created quite a buzz in the city where it ran & pulled beyond expectations, and the event turned out to be a great success. One other headline from the campaign was -

    Ali Baba & The 40 Chefs


    Can't wait to read yours!
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    • Profile picture of the author Ross Bowring
      Originally Posted by ejunkie View Post

      To set the ball rolling, here are two from my portfolio,

      First they treated her like royalty.
      Next they took her to a secluded beach.
      Very soon they stripped off her clothes.
      And then they shot her.
      Did this angle work?

      --- Ross
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      • Profile picture of the author ejunkie
        Originally Posted by Ross Bowring View Post

        Did this angle work?

        --- Ross
        It was provocative enough to generate quite a bit of popularity and inquiries for an unknown brand. It ran for a day as it was a topical ad. Later we shifted to a lifestyle, image building approach. It was about 6 years ago. Unfortunately, with the proliferation of digital cameras (and constant improvement in technology)- both inexpensive as well as high-end brands - in recent years, these guys weren't able to keep pace. It was one of the accounts I worked on. Later I moved on to another agency.

        Ross, could you share yours please?

        Would be a pleasure.
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  • Profile picture of the author The Copy Nazi
    Banned
    NEVER use a period/full stop in a headline - it kills the flow.
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    • Profile picture of the author ejunkie
      Originally Posted by The Copy Nazi View Post

      NEVER use a period/full stop in a headline - it kills the flow.
      Hi Copy Nazi,

      That's a great feedback.

      Hail Sir!
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  • Profile picture of the author sethczerepak
    I've written a lot of headlines that I just love, but oddly enough, this one is responsible for my highest conversion rate to date:

    #$&%!!!
    Signature
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    • Profile picture of the author Chloe Emerson
      Originally Posted by sethczerepak View Post

      I've written a lot of headlines that I just love, but oddly enough, this one is responsible for my highest conversion rate to date:

      #$&%!!!
      Seriously? That's BRILLIANT!
      Signature
      Abandon Mediocrity!
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  • Profile picture of the author ejunkie
    Hi Seth,

    Thanks for sharing.

    That's very intriguing & interesting!

    Did you think about why it might have worked?

    Was it for a sales page?

    Would love to know more about the context.
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  • Profile picture of the author taylormarek
    Mine was, and still is

    "How To Write A Check"

    In the article I explained very simply how to write a check. I still get hundreds of hits every month for it.
    Signature

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    • Profile picture of the author ejunkie
      Originally Posted by taylormarek View Post

      Mine was, and still is

      "How To Write A Check"

      In the article I explained very simply how to write a check. I still get hundreds of hits every month for it.
      Hi taylormarek,

      Short, specific & simple.

      Nice.

      I am reminded of the classic, "How to win friends & influence people."

      Simplicity works, doesn't it?
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      • Profile picture of the author videolover7
        Don't bet the farm on single-benefit "How To" headlines. Most times, they don't work very well.

        VL
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