The way you word things has a HUGE impact on how well your marketing performs. But with so many options out there, how do you know which words and phrases are truly the BEST for driving clicks, leads, and sales?
In this article, I’m sharing the most POWERFUL marketing words and phrases that have been PROVEN to grab attention and get people to take ACTION. Ignore these words at your own risk! By using them strategically in your copy, you’ll see a huge boost in clicks, shares, and conversions.
Free is hands-down one of the most persuasive words you can use in marketing. Why? Because people LOVE getting things for NO COST! Offering something free immediately creates urgency and gets noticed.
Some ways to use “free” effectively:
Always follow “free” up with a clear call to action so people actually take you up on the offer. But that one little word alone will generate MASSIVE clicks and traction for your marketing.
Shiny and new always catches people’s attention. Our brains are wired to be curious about anything novel or innovative. That’s why including the word “new” is extremely persuasive.
Again, pair “new” with specifics so people understand the value. Vaguely saying something is new isn’t powerful on its own. Tell them WHAT is new and WHY it matters.
“Secret” taps into our innate desire to be in the know. Hinting that you have insider access to covert information is major clickbait. Just look at how well “secrets” work for gossip sites and magazines.
Some examples:
With “secret”, follow up by explicitly detailing what that information is so people know there’s real value behind the tease.
We’re all trying to simplify our lives as much as possible. “Simple” speaks directly to that mindset and provides reassurance your solution can be easily adopted. Some choice simplifying words are:
Assure people your process will save them time, effort or hassle with a good dose of simplicity in your language.
Backing up your claims with proof is essential, and “proven” does just that. It carries an air of authority by demonstrating something actually works through testing. Some proven hits:
Showing social proof, case studies or data strengthens the effectiveness of “proven” even more.
Giving a guarantee addresses people’s #1 fear – wasting their money. Providing assurance they won’t lose anything is highly persuasive. Popular guarantee options are:
Clearly spell out the terms so people understand the safety net. Guarantees are proven click-getters!
Describing something as “the best” immediately makes it stand out above competitors and piques interest. A few winning bests:
Of course, ultimately you need to demonstrate WHY it deserves the “best” title through compelling evidence and social proof.
The simple act of discovery is endlessly fascinating. We’re programmed to seek out new insights and unlock mysteries. Leverage curiosity with discovery-themed copy like:
Shine light on the discovery people will make by engaging with your offer. Mystique goes a long way.
At the end of the day, all that really matters are the results. Emphasizing the outcomes people can achieve with your solution is big clickbait:
Quantify returns with evidence whenever possible to sell the effectiveness. People perform actions for rewards.
In a noisy world of endless options, exclusivity stands out and gives social status. Some exclusive options to drool over:
Scarcity is powerful, so use exclusives judiciously. But they’re proven click-magnets when paired with real utility.
We all want our lives enriched in meaningful ways. Speak to that desire by framing results as transformational:
Overuse cheapens the impact, so qualify with specificity why someone’s existence could genuinely improve.
The possibility of a major leap forward is exciting. Use “breakthrough” to position your solution as a game-changer:
Again, demonstrate thoughtful examples of exactly how standards will be raised to justify the claims.
A sense of urgency causes quick action. Tap into human procrastination with time-bound language like:
Just be sure the imposed deadline is legitimate – people see through fake scarcity.
Most of us are continuously seeking more efficiency. “Accelerate” speaks that language of optimization:
Empower people with the means to save precious hours, days or years vs typical returns.
One size rarely fits all, so offering customization is gold. Some choice customizable marketing:
Give your audience control over shaping the outcome to their specifications.
Channeling people’s innate desire to emerge from the ordinary with boundary-pushing terminology:
Inspire big dreams and prove how to wildly surpass mediocrity.
Being unstoppable evokes power, dominance and undefeatable perseverance. Ruthless words like:
Motivate ambition and signify the strength buyers will gain.
The notion of exploiting loopholes makes people feel sly and resourceful. Dangle these persuasively:
Of course, stay fully compliant – it’s just hooking interest ethically.
New standards of greatness are made by trailblazers. Paint your approach as pioneering:
Convey evolving past outdated methods for enhanced results.
Earning insider access whets people’s appetites. Phrases that promise privileged intel:
Holding secret knowledge is catnip for curiosity.
Unless safety is crucial, a little shock value stimulates interest. Consider:
Just make sure shock is followed promptly by value or risk click-through bail.
We all want to be amazed. Over-the-top praise can hook people if paired with proofs:
Keep claims plausible but express wild enthusiasm where due.
Some promotions strain credulity, for good reason if real. Wow with unlikelihood:
Promise to assuage any accompanying doubts with evidence.
Achievements and experiences deserve grandiose praise at times. Words like:
Conjure an exceptional size, scope, and impact with dignity.
Promising the very best arouses aspirations. Select words contain significance:
Craft an all-encompassing solution of supreme usefulness.
Accentuate your ability to flash forward progress. Key accelerating terminology:
Quantify specific time or resource efficiencies for true impact.
Captivate audiences with variants on breaking limits:
Empower people to exceed their own expectations tenfold.
While overused, celebrating brilliant ideas retains appeal. Praise intelligently:
Attribute clever wins to influencers for validated cleverness.
Stimulate pursuit of higher altitudes with beyond terminology:
Define a new summit others may follow you toward.
Invoke images of industry heavyweights for cachet by association:
Distinguish as leadership material amidst the giants.
Prospects admire creativity and disruptors. Dangle opportunities to evolve:
Signify progress over traditions ripe for improvement.
Those are some of the most powerful words and phrases that can dramatically increase clicks, leads, and sales when used strategically in marketing copy. But keep in mind – it’s not enough to just sprinkle these buzzwords around willy-nilly.
The key is using them PURPOSEFULLY and backing them up with SOLID CONTENT. Don’t make empty promises – show real social proof, case studies, data or examples that demonstrate the value and merit behind each claim.
Speak to tangible BENEFITS people will get rather than just features. Quantify outcomes whenever possible with numbers, stats and metrics that capture your prospect’s interests.
Also, you’ll notice many of these persuasive terms imply EXCLUSIVITY. Reserve scarcity tactics judiciously to avoid appearing spammy or disingenuous. Only use them when you truly have limited opportunities, deadlines or inventory that people need to act on fast.
Most importantly, make sure your CALLS TO ACTION are crystal clear so all that clickbait buzz actually CONVERTS prospects into customers! Don’t leave visitors guessing at what you want them to do next.
Specifically request actions like:
By harnessing attention-grabbing language AND following through with strong offers, you’ll see a big boost in clicks, shares and shares. People need a reason to take that extra step – give it to them!
Experiment with different combinations of buzzwords tailored to your target demographic. And constantly test headlines, cop and creative to see what resonates most with your particular audience.
Over time, you’ll discover the exact formula of titillating terms that drive the best response for your niche. Just make sure the hype is backed by real value at every stage of the funnel.
As a professional SEO copywriter, my job involves much more than just writing content. While crafting optimized text that ranks well and appeals to readers is a key part of the job, there’s an entire strategic process behind each piece that I create.
With the right strategic application of proven clickbait, your marketing will scale to whole new levels. Get out there and start testing this list – but do it RIGHT. Capture attention ethically and deliver on your promises tenfold. Let me know if you have any other questions!