LBD #070: Write for the right users & get your headlines right

Getting the headline right is half the battle won. The headlines are the first thing your readers will see, and that’s why they should be the last thing copywriters should be writing.

No hook, no traction.

There’s no shortage of SaaS founders. There are plenty.

What’s rare is excellent content strategy. A content strategy that’s optimized for sales, not just traffic.

A big part of sales qualifying. There’s nothing better than a headline that helps qualify the reader.

If your landing/product pages are converting less than the industry standard, it’s evident that there’s something critically wrong with the headline. Headlines qualify the potential customers to read further and eventually convert.

The problem with most headlines is it tells the reader what to do, not what can be done. People hate being schooled.

Don’t educate your potential customers, tell them how you or others got rid of the similar problem.

A headline targeting problem gets maximum clicks. A click-magnet headline is your key to high CTR & #1 rank on SERPs.

Your SaaS is solving problems. Find all the scenarios on which these problems are based.

The problems are your headlines.

By the end of this issue, you will be able to:

1. Convert organic traffic into paying customers

2. Get more visibility on search engines

3. Control brand positioning

Actionable heading (include keyword)

There’s a thin line between click-magnet and click-bait headlines. It’s very easy to fall prey to click-bait headlines. Clickbait headlines are as good as click-magnet titles; the only difference is clickbait headlines do not add any value whatsoever.

You can use click-bait headlines, but just once.

After you use the clickbaity headline, you make a fool of the reader and lose them forever.

Here’s how to retain visitors and maximize the chances of converting them into paying customers.

#1 Address pain point(s)

People love it when you remember & address them by their name. The next thing they love is when you pick their lingo and address their pain points & challenges. Your headline should discuss the problem/challenge and highlight the transformation/solution.

Instead of “How to automate your workflow,” use “Stop Wasting 10 Hours/Week on Manual Data Entry”.

The second headline is problem-centric and triggers the question “How” in the reader’s mind.

Simple to apply, easy to implement.

#2 Get specific

Your readers are busy, struggling, and frustrated.

Use action verbs in your headline. Notice how I have included an action verb in three outcomes you’ll get by the end of this issue. This makes your headlines highly actionable. The reason why headlines are effective is because you have little to no room for fluff.

Instead of “How to scale your Startup to a new height?” use "What Enterprise Teams Know About Scaling That You Don't.”

#3 Create curiosity loops

This is a two-sided sword. On the other side of the sword is click-bait; on this side, it’s click-magnet. Most headlines reveal too much for the reader to tickle curiosity thing. Clickbaity titles give away a lot of information.

Such titles lack insider knowledge or unconventional insights. It’s pure clickbait with annoying FOMO. Avoid that at all costs.

Instead:

• Pose proactive problem-centric questions

• Hint at insider knowledge or unconventional insights

• Use unexpected contrasts or counterintuitive statements

• Include odd numbers. Just don’t randomly make up those numbers

"Jeff Bezos is legally bound to pay you” is a way better title than “How to start Amazon Affiliate Marketing?”

Masters of SEO

1. If you create content for LinkedIn yourself, use this strategy in 2025 and beyond.

2. Do you use ChatGPT excessively? Here’s a guide to creating a custom GPT

3. Some iconic ad copies that are hilarious & witty (take notes)

How can I help you?

Whenever you’re ready to dominate SERPs, here’s how I can help:

1. Sit with you 1-on-1 & create a content marketing strategy for your startup. Hire me for consulting

2. Write blogs, social posts, and emails for you. Get in touch here with queries (Please mention you found this email in the newsletter to get noticed quickly)

3. Join my tribe on Twitter & LinkedIn, where I share SEO tips (every single day) & teaser of the next issue of Letters ByDavey