Little-Used Copywriting Secret Makes You Almost Immune To Writer's Block
By: Ben Settle
If you would like to make yourself practically immune to "writer's block" when trying to come up with a headline for your ads, then this article will show you how.
Believe it or not, whenever you're stuck for headline ideas for your promotions, it is sometimes useful to look at "gag" headlines.
What's a "gag" headline?
A gag headline is a completely ridiculous headline that makes little or no sense, and often contradicts itself. Sometimes they are funny. Sometimes they are gross. Sometimes they are just plain dorky (even freaky).
Whatever the case, they are usually so "off the wall", they make even tabloid headlines -- like on "The National Enquirer" -- look tame.
And just like the good ol' National Enquirer headlines, sometimes you can get some great "idea-generators" (or at least a good laugh) by reading a few gag headlines when you're stuck for ideas or just want to get your creative "juices" flowing.
Here are some examples of gag headlines:
* GERMAN SHEPHERD. 85 lbs. NEUTERED. SPEAKS GERMAN. FREE.
* NORDIC TRACK $300 -- HARDLY USED -- CALL CHUBBIE at 237-2317
* BILL'S SEPTIC CLEANING -- "WE HAUL AMERICAN MADE PRODUCTS"
* HUMMELS -- LARGEST SELECTION EVER -- "IF IT'S IN STOCK, WE HAVE IT!"
* GEORGIA PEACHES -- CALIFORNIA GROWN -- 89 cents lb.
* FREE: FARM KITTENS. READY TO EAT.
* '83 TOYOTA HUNCHBACK -- $2000
Okay, you get the idea. If you'd like to see a whole list of gag headlines like these, one of my favorite sources is at: http://laughbreak.com/lists/newspaper_ads.html
You can also check around online by putting words like "funny headlines" or "silly headlines" into the search engines.
About The Author:
Ben Settle is one of the few direct response copywriters in the world who really puts his money where his mouth is - structuring his deals so he gets paid only from the results of the sales - and not on any up-front fees. Although Ben is not currently accepting new clients, he freely shares his ideas and tactics on his blog at: http://bensettle.com