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