How to Write a Good Headline That Drives Clicks
Writing a great headline is one of the most important skills in digital marketing. It’s often the difference between someone clicking your link or scrolling past. Whether you’re crafting a blog post, ad, or landing page, a high-performing headline must grab attention and spark curiosity.
Here’s how to write headlines that drive results.
1. Focus on the Benefit
People don’t click because of what your product is—they click because of what it can do for them. Your headline should highlight the main benefit clearly and quickly.
Example: “Get 3x More Leads From Your Website in Just 30 Days.”
2. Use Numbers and Specificity
Headlines with numbers tend to outperform those without. Numbers convey specificity, structure, and credibility.
Examples:
“5 Proven Ways to Boost Email Open Rates”
“How We Increased Revenue by 47% in One Quarter”
Odd numbers (3, 5, 7) often perform better than even ones.
3. Trigger Curiosity (Without Being Clickbait)
Curiosity can be a powerful motivator. The key is to spark intrigue while still being relevant and honest.
Examples:
“You’re Probably Making These 3 Common SEO Mistakes”
“The One Strategy No One Talks About That Skyrockets Sales”
Avoid overpromising or misleading the reader.
4. Use Powerful Words
Some words naturally attract attention because they imply urgency, exclusivity, or value. Words like:
Free
Proven
Secrets
Ultimate
Instantly
New
Use them sparingly and purposefully to boost click-through rates.
5. Keep It Short and Skimmable
Most users skim headlines quickly—especially on mobile. Aim for 6–12 words max. Short, punchy headlines are more likely to capture attention.
Instead of: “Discover How You Can Leverage Email Marketing Automation to Grow Your Business” Try: “Grow Your Business With Smart Email Automation”
6. Test and Optimise
No headline is perfect the first time. A/B test different variations to see what resonates best with your audience.
Test tone (casual vs formal)
Test format (listicle vs how-to)
Test benefit-driven vs curiosity-driven headlines
Over time, data will tell you what works best.
Final Thoughts
Headlines and landing pages are two of the most important conversion levers in digital marketing. Mastering both can significantly improve campaign performance and ROI.
At 1 Up, we combine data-driven insights with creative strategy to help our clients design high-converting landing pages and compelling content that drives results. If you're ready to elevate your marketing performance, let's chat.