#58 How to Spark Ideas for Headlines that Sparkle with Laura Belgray

Stuck!?!

 

There is nothing more frustrating than feeling like you have nothing good to say (or write)!

 

Let’s get real darlings…we’ve all been there before.

 

Tell me-

 

How many hours have you spent staring at a blank google doc on your computer trying to think of something clever to say? –

 

How many times have you crumpled up a pile of paper drafts that overflowed your waste basket?

 

How many basic product descriptions have your written that don’t really highlight the brilliance of your jewelry?

 

Yea, I can totally relate.

 

At one point, most of my email subject lines started with a hard sell (no wonder the open rates sucked)…

 

And my product descriptions ALL included the word “amazing” about 6 times…

 

Oh yea, and my social media posts were so boring, I can’t even believe anyone liked them (must have been the jewelry)!

 

So if you feel stuck, don’t worry because I am living proof that writing great subject lines and copy for your jewelry business can be learned.

 

So if you feel stuck, listen up, because you are in for a treat today.

 

On today’s episode I am super excited to be focusing in on one particular area of copy that often gets the shaft when we feel stuck in our writing.

 

Subject lines aka headlines.

 

I’ve mentioned before that first impressions are everything in copywriting.

 

The quickest way to get your blog post or email ignored is title it with something boring!

 

(I’m sorry but I would be surprised if Newsletter #22 gets anyone opening).

 

My guest today is Laura Belgray, an award winning copywriter for some of the biggest brands in business today.

 

I attended a copy writing retreat in Italy this past spring that Laura taught and no joke, it sparked so many ideas about writing more cleverly and having fun to boot!

 

I can’t wait for you to listen to her genius (and have fun-she’s hilarious).

 

So let’s just jump in!

 

Click here to download the show notes

 

Why Headlines Matter

 

Let’s all get on the same page here…Episode #58 is Not a good headline for a blog post like this one. Why? We’re all busy with short attention spans.

 

And most of your readers are Looking for a reason to not read your copy. Crazy right? A good headline is an attention getter that makes your reader click or keep reading the amazing post you spent hours writing.

 

The More the Merrier

 

One of my favorite tips from this episode is to Always write more than one headline for your copy. Brainstorm even 10 ideas for a subject line for your content before you settle on one.

 

I’ve been practicing this in my own writing and I’ve found that the first headline I come up with is always the most boring. So I challenge you to give it a try!

 

The Anatomy of a Boring Headline

 

Here’s a few quick examples of what constitutes a boring headline. (Way more about this in the episode.) The first no no is to make a “no duh” statement. This is something like: Diamonds are a rare gem. Leave something to the reader’s imagination that draws them in!

 

A few other examples of boring headlines would be the ones that focus all on you, not on the reader. Also, September Newsletter or Post #156 are almost certainly going to be bypassed!

 

This is such a fun episode because I know that you all have the power and the potential to sparkle in your copywriting!

 

I challenge you all to listen and implement the tips that Laura gives you This Very Week.

 

xo, Tracy

 

Links
The Copy Cure
Talking Shrimp
Tackle Your Tagline Cheat Sheet
Sponsor: Halstead Bead

 

Receive $10 off of an order of $100 or more on Halstead’s website using the discount code FTA2016. This discount code expires October 31, 2016.