To my mind, one of the most interesting aspects of
any form of direct marketing is this: How small
changes can make such a huge difference in
response. Especially in headlines and subheadlines.
For example, a client reports adding a single letter
to a headline tripled response to an offer.
The first headline read:
Put More Cash Into Your Pocket
The new headline is:
Puts More Cash Into Your Pocket
The addition of the letter “s” to the word “put”
made a 300% difference. This is not a misprint!
Notice the addition of a single letter changes the
meaning of the word and implies an easier solution.
If this is not enough to convince any skeptic that
small changes, even a single letter, can make a
huge difference, I don’t know what is.
Here are other examples whereby a single word or
phrase has made an enormous difference in
response.
First headline:
Learn the Secrets of Millionaire Copywriters
New headline:
Discover the Secrets of Millionaire Copywriters
This new headline more than doubled response.
This is undoubtedly because the word “learn”
suggests lots of hard work.
Another example.
First headline (on order form):
ORDER FORM
Second headline:
FREE TRIAL REQUEST
This is another 200 plus percent increase. Reason?
Consumers do not respond well to the word
“ORDER”. While it’s an extremely negative word,
the majority of marketers still overuse it.
The word “order” suggests spending money, which
no one likes.
Plus, no one likes to fill out forms. Not even
accountants!
Ted Nicholas
www.GurusReviewed.com/TedNicholas
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