When in doubt, steal from what already works.

The best copywriters don’t try to create the perfect headline out of thin air. They use time-tested headline formulas that have been working for decades. These aren’t gimmicks — they’re proven psychological frameworks that grab attention and make people want to read.

Below are 7 of the most effective headline templates. Use them, tweak them, mix and match them — just don’t ignore them.

These are your go-to tools for writing attention grabbing headlines that actually perform.

1. The “How To” Formula

“How to [Do Something Desirable] Without [Something Unpleasant]”

This formula never goes out of style. It promises a clear benefit, removes a common objection, and instantly makes the reader feel like they’re about to discover a shortcut.

Examples:

• “How to Write Headlines That Practically Force People to Click (Without Feeling Clickbaity)”

• “How to Increase Sales From Cold Traffic Without Touching Your Offer”

Why it works: It's focused, outcome-driven, and hyper-relevant. You’re showing them what they want — minus the pain they don’t. If you’re teaching how to write a good headline, this should be one of the first templates in your toolbox.


2. The “Reason Why” Headline

“[Number] Reasons Why [Something Works or Fails]”

This is all about specificity and clarity. Numbers create structure. “Reasons why” adds logic and credibility. This headline screams, “I’ve got proof, and I’m gonna break it down for you.”

Examples:

• “7 Reasons Why Your Ads Aren’t Converting (And What to Fix First)”

• “5 Reasons Why Great Copy Still Fails to Sell in 2025”

This formula works especially well in educational or analytical content. It’s clean, direct, and high in perceived value.


3. The “Secrets” Formula

“The Secret to [Desirable Result]” or “Little-Known Trick for [Outcome]”

People love feeling like they’re getting insider info. This formula plays into curiosity, exclusivity, and the feeling of gaining an unfair advantage.

Examples:

• “The Secret to Writing Headlines That Outperform 95% of Copy Online”

• “Little-Known Copy Trick That Turned a Dead Sales Page Into a 6-Figure Funnel”

This taps into the reader’s ego. They want to feel smart. Ahead of the curve. In on something others missed. That’s what makes this such a strong copywriting hook.


4. The “Mistake” Formula

“Are You Making These [Number] Mistakes With [Topic]?”

Fear of doing it wrong is powerful. This formula grabs attention by triggering doubt. It gets the reader thinking: “Wait… am I screwing this up?”

Examples:

• “Are You Making These 5 Headline Mistakes That Kill Click-Throughs?”

• “3 Copywriting Errors That Quietly Destroy Your Credibility”

If your audience is experienced but struggling, this one hits hard. It flat-out works because nobody wants to find out they’ve been doing something wrong.


5. The “What Nobody Tells You” Headline

“What No One Tells You About [Topic]”

This formula stirs curiosity and challenges the status quo. It promises a new angle or unexpected truth — something people haven’t heard before.

Examples:

• “What No One Tells You About Writing Headlines That Actually Sell”

• “What Most ‘Copy Experts’ Get Dead Wrong About Hooks”

It’s bold. A little contrarian. Perfect for cutting through the noise and positioning yourself as someone who tells the truth others don’t.


6. The “Question” Headline

“Do You [Have Problem]?” or “Are You [Making a Mistake]?”

A good question pulls the reader in and makes them answer mentally — and if the answer is “yes,” they’re hooked.

Examples:

• “Do Your Headlines Actually Make People Want to Read More?”

• “Are You Losing Sales Because Your Copy’s Too Nice?”

It creates instant engagement. And it positions the rest of the copy as the solution to whatever pain or doubt the reader just admitted to themselves.


7. The “This vs. That” Headline

“Why [Common Approach] Fails — and What to Do Instead”

This one draws a clear line between what doesn’t work and what does. It’s a favorite in persuasive copy because it plays on contrast and gives your reader a path to improvement.

Examples:

• “Why Clever Headlines Fail — and the Simple Approach That Always Works”

• “Vanilla Copy vs. Bold Copy: Which One Actually Converts?”

This formula is great when you want to challenge mainstream advice, create contrast, or shift the reader’s belief about what works.

These aren’t just “headline ideas” — they’re frameworks built on decades of persuasion and tested across every industry you can imagine. Use them when writing ads, emails, sales pages, blogs… anything that needs to stop people and pull them in.

When you combine these headline tips with a solid understanding of your reader and a clear benefit or hook, you’ve got everything you need to write attention grabbing headlines that cut through the noise.

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Headlines are everything.

They’re the first impression. The hook. The bait.

If you don’t get them right, nothing else you write gets read — period.

Now you’ve got the tools to change that. You know how to write headlines that grab attention, spark emotion, and drive action. You’ve got proven headline formulas, a better understanding of headline psychology, and simple tricks to improve any headline fast.

Use them.

Revisit them.

And remember — your headline doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to make one person stop and say… “Tell me more.”