8 copywriting tips – backed by science

Posted on: February 14, 2014

I read this excellent blog on copywriting tips which was originally published in the Buffer Blog http://blog.bufferapp.com/data-backed-copywriting and to those who attend my copywriting classes I recommend that you read the entire blog. But here are the highlights:

1. Create a curiosity gap – the headline needs to be tantalising enough to get a reader to click through but mustn’t give away the whole story
2. Use numbers – Digits in particular are more shareable
3. Use the right words – see lists below
4. Make it scarce – use negative dark and aggressive words in titles lead to more shares
5. Avoid announcements – tell a story instead (neural coupling)
6. Know your readers – Tailor your messages
7. Make it surprising – Surprise captures attention and interest holds it
8. Use more verbs and less nouns

Takipi’s research showed that the most popular blog posts had these words in their titles:

• Smart
• Surprising
• Science
• History
• Hackers
• Huge/big
• Critical

Most retweetable words/phrases:

• You
• Twitter
• Please
• Retweet
• Post
• Blog
• Social
• Free
• Media
• Help
• Great
• Please retweet
• 10
• Follow
• How to
• Top
• Blog post
• Check out
• New blog post