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A huge marketing lesson from CNN

by Ken Preuss
5 replies
At least a couple times a day I go to CNN.com to see what the biggest news stories of the day are.

Typically on the right side of the screen they show "Most Popular Stories Right Now" with a little graph showing which news stories on their site are being viewed by the most number of people at this moment.

These stories obviously change constantly, but at this moment the top 4 stories listed are:

1) Your cell phone company's dirty little secret

2) A storm of TV bloopers

3) Take this bank and shove it

4) Beware of dogs in snow

Here's what's interesting. The #1 story listed above is being viewed by 100% more people (so TWICE the amount) than the #2 story.

The huge marketing lesson here? Compelling copy really works and it works on regular folks.

For those people here who like to complain about "salesy" and "over-the-top" copy, guess what? It works. Is it possible to go overboard? Yes, absolutely. But as a rule, playing to people's curiosity and psychological hot buttons really, really works. Every time.

Ken

P.S. If you want an even better lesson in compelling marketing, Yahoo.com does a fantastic job with it on their home page. They really know how to peak your curiosity to get you to click thru and read a news story. Go check it out.
#cnn #huge #lesson #marketing
  • Profile picture of the author yesacpow
    Thanks for this tip!

    I am like you in that I relate everything to Internet marketing lol. Same way if I see someone selling on the road I am wonder what the heck is their conversion rate?

    lol

    To add to what you just said, I think compelling topic do really great in article marketing. And once the article is great, if you have even a more compelling bio box then your ctr will shoot through the roof.
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  • Profile picture of the author Terri LC
    Creating curiosity is everything in Internet Marketing....cause people just have to ask and gotta know!

    As for CNN having the most up to date news, I find they get theirs from Huffington Post or the Drudge Report.
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  • Profile picture of the author digigo
    interesting... they are in the news business... sensationalism is the name of the game.. now.. what do you guys think about my signature line??? interesting enough for you to click on it? :-)
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    • Profile picture of the author All Night Cafe
      Good info. I hadn't thought about looking there
      but will start tomorrow. Very eye opening.

      I also look at things thru IM. That's the
      business, it revolves around ererything I do.

      Thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author jasonmorgan
    "It's in your Refrigerator and it can kill you... tonight at 11"

    oh yeah, you are right. compelling copy does work. anybody worth anything working in promotions should understand the importance of writing a tight compelling tease.
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