Increasing Readability: Power Words

by Randy Martinsen on June 14, 2010

Thousands of hours are invested by the world’s greatest ad men trying to figure out what MOTIVATES people to buy…especially when it comes to writing HEADLINES for ads. Believe me, it’s not an easy thing to do. It takes hours and hours of work and testing to finally come up with the one headline, phrase, offer, etc. that out-pulls the rest. Even though it’s tough for the great ones, I can make it easier for you by giving you a short list of power words, phrases, openings, and transitions that elicit emotion, response, and action from your prospect.

For example, when John Caples analyzed the 100 greatest money-making headlines of all time, he found that these following 10 words appeared over and over and over again (the actual number of times is indicated in parenthesis):

You (31) Your (14)
How (12) New (10)
Who (8) Money (6)
Now (4) People (4)
Want (4) Why (4)

You can see that the words YOU and YOUR appeared far more than any other words. This illustrates the importance of addressing your prospects on an individual level.

As indicated in the report, you have to talk about what your prospects want – not what you want. Remember, it’s called WIIFM (What’s In It For Me). These next sets of words are to help you start thinking about how you should be writing to your prospects. These words will give your ads, letters, etc. life, emotion, value, and impact.

Use them in everything you write – especially HEADLINES.

“News Value”… Interest…
Announcing Absorbing
Latest Information
Revolutionary Revealing
Advanced Secrets
Presenting Exciting
Size… Surprise…
Massive Amazing
Spacious Astounding
Mammoth Striking
Vast Fantastic
Quality… Appearance…
Fine Classic
Exclusive Elegant
Rugged Charming
Durable Spectacular
Imported Lavish
Rare Exquisite
Authentic Distinctive
Money… Approval…
Wealth Proven
Fortune Guaranteed
Profitable Acclaimed
Reduced (price) Tested
Other Words That Work Wonders:
Suddenly Miracle
Now Magic
Announcing Offer
Introducing Quick
Improvement Easy
Amazing Wanted
Sensational Challenge
Remarkable Compare

Persuasive Phrases That Work:

FREE OFFER often works well in direct-response advertising. Here are some examples:

  • Yours Free
  • FREE Gift
  • Free trial lesson
  • Free to new members
  • Free examination
  • Ask for the Free Report
News Related Introductions:
Try these fresh intros…
Just Arrived New method of _____________
New here New modernized ____________
It’s here Latest findings
New discovery Just off the press
New invention Just out
The world’s first ____________ At last
How To Phrases:
How to get _________________ How to get the most out of ______________
How to have ________________ How to avoid __________
How to keep ________________ How to end ____________
How to start ________________ How to conquer _____________
How to improve _____________ How to enjoy _______________
How to become ______________ How to get rid of _____________
How to develop ______________ How you can ________________
Information

People listen to broadcasts and buy both magazines and newspapers to get INFORMATION. You can successfully compete for the attention of your prospects with the things they want to know.

  • Seven ways to ___________
  • The truth about ___________
  • The one sensible way to ___________
  • Profitable tips for ________________
  • Plain talk with _____________
  • Confidential chats with ____________

Summing Up

In writing your advertising copy, don’t neglect the tested words and phrases that are used by the most effective direct response advertisers. Keep the lists in this report handy when writing. Look over them before you begin to write. Make sure your advertising agency uses them. Refer to them often.

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