"Trigger Words" to improve clicks & get attention

by RS3RS
12 replies
Wanted to share a cool guide I read last month that I've been using for my blog posts (and emails / Facebook titles).

It's pretty basic I guess, but it's 14 trigger words from Neil Patel's blog to use in your titles.

The list is:

  • Free
  • New
  • Proven
  • Easy
  • Secret
  • More
  • The
  • Yes
  • If
  • Never
  • Imagine
  • Instant
  • Convert
  • You
Trying to save you a click, but his post is here if you want to read examples.

A lot of these sound like common sense to those of us who have been marketing for a while, but I kept this list written down to reference when I make titles. I think it's helping with email click rates and maybe Facebook (whenever FB is kind enough to actually show my posts).

It can really pep up titles, like when you change:

"15 Ways to Lose Weight" to "Yes, You Can Lose Weight - 15 New Ways"

or

"Lose Weight Without Exercising" to "Never Exercise Again with This Free Proven Secret"

Kind of click-baity, but as long as your content lives up to the headline, I don't really see the problem. Worth it for some extra email clicks, IMO.

I'd probably add "Discover" to the list. What are your favorite trigger words? Maybe we can expand this list a bit more.
#attention #clicks #improve #trigger words
  • Profile picture of the author danieldesai
    - Simple
    - Step-by-Step
    - Guaranteed
    - Inexpensive
    - Results
    - Uncensored
    - Forbidden

    Those are the words that just came to mind.

    I know there are a lot more but I'll have to rack my brain a bit for that.

    Regards,
    Daniel
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  • Profile picture of the author Regional Warrior
    Originally Posted by RS3RS View Post

    Wanted to share a cool guide I read last month that I've been using for my blog posts (and emails / Facebook titles).

    It's pretty basic I guess, but it's 14 trigger words from Neil Patel's blog to use in your titles.

    The list is:

    • Free
    • New
    • Proven
    • Easy
    • Secret
    • More
    • The
    • Yes
    • If
    • Never
    • Imagine
    • Instant
    • Convert
    • You
    Trying to save you a click, but his post is here if you want to read examples.

    A lot of these sound like common sense to those of us who have been marketing for a while, but I kept this list written down to reference when I make titles. I think it's helping with email click rates and maybe Facebook (whenever FB is kind enough to actually show my posts).

    It can really pep up titles, like when you change:

    "15 Ways to Lose Weight" to "Yes, You Can Lose Weight - 15 New Ways"

    or

    "Lose Weight Without Exercising" to "Never Exercise Again with This Free Proven Secret"

    Kind of click-baity, but as long as your content lives up to the headline, I don't really see the problem. Worth it for some extra email clicks, IMO.

    I'd probably add "Discover" to the list. What are your favorite trigger words? Maybe we can expand this list a bit more.
    4 of the words are spam or that's where they end up! and the rest are borderline spam , Free is the death knell for any email blast

    Jason
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    • Profile picture of the author RS3RS
      Originally Posted by Regional Warrior View Post

      4 of the words are spam or that's where they end up! and the rest are borderline spam , Free is the death knell for any email blast

      Jason
      Yeah, I'm with you there. Definitely a spam trigger.

      Can be useful for blog posts though. Like "15 Free Keyword Research Tools"
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  • Profile picture of the author Reddevil007
    Definitely helps me in crafting my email using the below triggers.
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  • Profile picture of the author gluckspilz
    Nice list of keywords for headlines but definitely not for emails unless you want to end up in the spam folder.
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  • Profile picture of the author discrat
    Here is another one :
    " Your Cost today for this groundbreaking video Course is $99

    BETTER

    Your Investment today for this groundbreaking video Course is $99
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  • Profile picture of the author gooroo
    I don't know about email titles, but how-to posts and lists are great for blogs, there comes opportunity to use the trigger words in the title.
    Basically you want to use wording like "how to", "number + .ways/tricks/steps/etc. and some power words.
    I don't fully agree with your list. Words like "Instantly" or "more" are very good when used correctly. The "secret" word however should be used very carefully, as it might trigger both curiosity, but also high expectations.
    I would also recommend "facts", "which", "why", "use", "increase".
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    • Profile picture of the author discrat
      Originally Posted by gooroo View Post

      The "secret" word however should be used very carefully, as it might trigger both curiosity, but also high expectations.
      .
      Yeah I agree. It's been overused and can be considered by some as misleading in a lot of cases.
      Btw, that Username ( gooroo) is not looked upon as very positive in these parts.
      Not being a Hater but just FYI
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  • Profile picture of the author 3wCorner
    You can also add:

    Less
    Lose
    Discount
    Save
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve B
    There is a small paperback book by Richard Bayan titled

    Words That Sell

    I often refer to this little book as it has a wealth of information, not just on sales words, but on phrases, transitions, salutations, headings, slogans, challenges, invitations, etc.

    If you have an interest in using the best attention grabbing words possible in your marketing, you will enjoy this inexpensive book.

    The best to all of you,

    Steve
    Signature

    Steve Browne, online business strategies, tips, guidance, and resources
    SteveBrowneDirect

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  • Profile picture of the author tyronne78
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author S T E V E
      Originally Posted by tyronne78 View Post

      If you put an asterisk inside the word "fr*ee" you might be able to get past the spam filters and improve your deliverability.

      Does anybody know if that little trick works? I see a lot of the "gurus" in the internet marketing space doing that.
      If you have to resort to bullshit tactics like that then it's a pretty poor way to market in my opinion.

      You should have enough of a targeted list and engagement with your subscribers that they open your emails just because they know you sent it.

      If not then you're doing it wrong.

      Add a little spice, engage and entertain and your subject lines become irrelevant really.

      Some of my favourites for emails are bat shit crazy stuff like...

      They're going to beat the shit out of me for telling you this... But I don't care!

      It works for a number of reasons...

      1) First all of my subs are highly targeted because if they are not I have failed.

      I hate tire kicking freebie whores and will delete them if I suspect they are.

      2) They like reading my emails.

      3) Who wouldn't be just a little bit curious about what I've got to say in that email.

      Steve
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      • Profile picture of the author tyronne78
        Of course only pull that trick if you have good intentions and you're not spamming people.

        Originally Posted by S T E V E View Post

        If you have to resort to bullshit tactics like that then it's a pretty poor way to market in my opinion.

        You should have enough of a targeted list and engagement with your subscribers that they open your emails just because they know you sent it.

        If not then you're doing it wrong.

        Add a little spice, engage and entertain and your subject lines become irrelevant really.

        Some of my favourites for emails are bat shit crazy stuff like...

        They're going to beat the shit out of me for telling you this... But I don't care!

        It works for a number of reasons...

        1) First all of my subs are highly targeted because if they are not I have failed.

        I hate tire kicking freebie whores and will delete them if I suspect they are.

        2) They like reading my emails.

        3) Who wouldn't be just a little bit curious about what I've got to say in that email.

        Steve
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