55+ Best Headline Examples to Persuade Buyers (According to ChatGPT & Me)

Crafting the perfect headline can be a challenging task that often determines the success and virality of your content. To make your life easier, I’ve compiled an extensive list of the best headline examples, along with formulas to help you captivate your audience and drive more conversions.

Quick disclaimer: I used ChatGPT to help create this list of headline examples while cross-checking them with my copywriting expertise to ensure they are valid and usable.

If you want to see the prompts I used in ChatGPT to generate this list, keep reading to the end of this article!

Best Headline Examples + Formulas

If you want a profitable business, you have to know how to write persuasive headlines. You can — and should — modify and change the headline examples in this list to fit your business type and goals.

1. Curiosity-Inducing Headlines

Curiosity-inducing headlines grab attention, increase click-through rates, and drive engagement. They pique readers’ curiosity, enticing them to discover the intriguing information or secrets hidden within the content.

Formulas + Examples:

• What They Don’t Want You to Know About {Topic}
  What They Don’t Want You to Know About Losing Weight
• The Untold Secret Behind Every Successful {Topic}
  The Untold Secret Behind Every Successful Business
• The Mysterious Connection Between {Item 1} and {Item 2}
  The Mysterious Connection Between Coffee and Productivity
• What Everyone Should Know About {Topic}, But Don’t
  What Everyone Should Know About Cryptocurrency, But Don’t
• The Hidden Truths About the World’s Most Successful {Topic}
  The Hidden Truths About the World’s Most Successful Leaders

2. Listicle Headlines

Listicle headlines offer a clear and organized format, making content easily scannable and shareable. They provide a sense of structure and promise specific information in bite-sized chunks, enhancing readability and increasing content consumption.

Try these headline examples to present information in a concise and appealing way that keeps readers engaged.

Formulas + Examples:

• {Number} Unbelievable Ways to {Action/Result}
  10 Unbelievable Ways to Boost Your Confidence
• {Number} Proven Strategies for {Goal}
  7 Proven Strategies for Building Wealth
• {Number} Life Hacks Every {Target Audience} Must Know
  15 Life Hacks Every College Student Must Know
• {Number} Amazing Recipes for {Type of Meals}
  5 Amazing Recipes for Quick and Healthy Meals
• {Number} Mind-Blowing Facts About {Topic}
  12 Mind-Blowing Facts About Space Exploration

3. Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) Headlines

FOMO headlines are the best to leverage readers’ fear of missing out on valuable information or opportunities. They create urgency, driving immediate action and increasing engagement.

Experiment with these headline examples to create a sense of exclusivity, urgency, and encourage readers to take immediate steps to avoid missing out.

Formulas + Headline Examples:

• Are You Missing Out on the Best Ways to {Action/Goal}?
  Are You Missing Out on the Best Ways to Invest Your Money?
• Don’t Get Left Behind: The Top {Topic} Trends of {Year}
  Don’t Get Left Behind: The Top Marketing Trends of 2023
• Are You Ignoring the Most Important Aspect of {Topic}?
  Are You Ignoring the Most Important Aspect of Personal Growth?
• Avoid These Common Mistakes in Your {Area/Field of Interest}
  Avoid These Common Mistakes in Your Startup Journey
• How to Keep Up with the Latest Advancements in {Topic}
  How to Keep Up with the Latest Advancements in AI

4. Problem-Solving Headlines

Problem-solving headlines address readers’ pain points and offer solutions, positioning you as a valuable resource and building trust. They attract readers seeking answers and provide practical guidance, enhancing their lives or solving their challenges.

Use headlines like this to establish expertise, deliver value, and connect with readers on a deeper level.

Formulas + Examples:

• How to {Achieve Desired Outcome} with Ease
  How to Ace Your Next Job Interview with Ease
• Beat the {Challenge} with These Simple Tips
  Beat the Stock Market with These Simple Tips
• Dealing with {Problem}? Try These Proven Techniques
  Dealing with Stress? Try These Proven Techniques
• How to Master the Art of {Skill/Topic}
  How to Master the Art of Public Speaking
• Eliminate Your {Common Fear} with This One Simple Trick
  Eliminate Your Fear of Flying with This One Simple Trick

5. Inspirational Headlines

Inspirational headlines evoke positive emotions, uplifting readers and motivating them to take action. They foster a sense of empowerment, encouragement, and inspire personal growth.

Formulas + Examples:

• How to Transform Your {Aspect of Life} in Just {Timeframe}
  How to Transform Your Life in Just 30 Days
• Unleash Your Inner {Desirable Quality}: A Step-By-Step Guide
  Unleash Your Inner Genius: A Step-By-Step Guide
• The Ultimate Guide to Achieving Your {Aspiration}
  The Ultimate Guide to Achieving Your Dreams
• From Rags to Riches: Stories to Inspire Your {Journey/Goal}
  From Rags to Riches: Stories to Inspire Your Entrepreneurial Journey
• Conquer Your {Obstacle} and Embrace Success with These Tips
  Conquer Your Fears and Embrace Success with These Tips

6. Question-Based Headlines

Question-based headlines engage readers by stimulating their curiosity and encouraging them to seek answers. They create an interactive experience, triggering self-reflection and increasing reader involvement.

Formulas + Headline Examples:

• Are You Making These Common {Topic} Mistakes?
  Are You Making These Common SEO Mistakes?
• Is Your {Current Situation} Sabotaging Your {Goal}?
  Is Your Diet Sabotaging Your Fitness Goals?
• Do You Know the Key to a {Desirable Outcome}?
  Do You Know the Key to a Happy Relationship?
• What’s Holding You Back from {Desirable State}?
  What’s Holding You Back from Financial Freedom?
• Are You Ready for the Future of {Topic}?
  Are You Ready for the Future of Technology?

7. Instructional Headlines

Instructional headlines provide clear guidance and actionable steps, positioning you as a trusted authority. Try these headline examples to help your readers acquire new skills, solve problems, and achieve desired outcomes.

Formulas + Examples:

• Step-By-Step Guide to Creating a {Desired Product/Outcome}
  Step-By-Step Guide to Creating a Profitable Blog
• Master the Art of {Topic/Skill} with These Techniques
  Master the Art of Negotiation with These Techniques
• How to Effectively Manage {Topic/Group}
  How to Effectively Manage Remote Teams
• Learn to {Skill} Like a Pro in Just {Timeframe}
  Learn to Cook Like a Pro in Just One Week
• Your Ultimate Guide to {Topic/Skill} for {Benefit}
  Your Ultimate Guide to Meditation for Stress Relief

8. Controversial Headlines

Controversial headlines grab attention, ignite discussions, and generate buzz around your content. If you’re looking to spark curiosity and encourage readers, these are the best headline examples to use!

Formulas + Examples:

• Why {Commonly Accepted Idea} Might Be a Waste of Time
  Why Traditional Education Might Be a Waste of Time
• Is {Popular Topic} Really Worth the Hype?
  Is Organic Food Really Worth the Hype?
• The Shocking Reality of the {Industry/Topic}
  The Shocking Reality of the Fashion Industry
• Why Most {Topic} Advice is Wrong
  Why Most Leadership Advice is Wrong
• The Dark Side of {Topic} No One Talks About
  The Dark Side of Technology No One Talks About

9. Testimonial Headlines

Testimonial headlines leverage social proof and build trust by showcasing the positive experiences of your satisfied customers. You can influence readers to trust your brand and take desired actions by flexing your credibility.

Formulas + Examples:

• How I Built a {Outcome} in {Timeframe}
  How I Built a Six-Figure Business in One Year
• I Lost {Result} in {Timeframe}, Here’s How
  I Lost 50 Pounds in 6 Months, Here’s How
• This Simple Hack Saved Me {Benefit} Each Week
  This Simple Hack Saved Me Hours of Work Each Week
• How I Improved My {Aspect of Life} with Just {Action} Daily
  How I Improved My Mental Health with Just 10 Minutes of Meditation Daily
• How {Action/Change} Changed My Life
  How Learning a New Language Changed My Life

10. Benefit-Driven Headlines

Benefit-driven headlines highlight the specific advantages readers will gain from engaging with your content. If you want to communicate value while capturing readers’ attention and motivating them to explore further — go with these headline examples!

Formulas + Examples:

• Increase Your {Aspect of Life} with These Science-Backed Tips
  Increase Your Productivity with These Science-Backed Tips
• Improve Your {Aspect of Life} with These Easy {Actions/Changes}
  Improve Your Health with These Easy Lifestyle Changes
• Transform Your {Aspect of Life} with Our Proven {Topic} Strategies
  Transform Your Finances with Our Proven Investment Strategies
• Boost Your {Aspect of Life} with These Essential {Skills/Methods}
  Boost Your Career with These Essential Soft Skills
• Save {Benefit 1} and {Benefit 2} with These {Topic} Tips
  Save Time and Money with These Home DIY Tips

11. Numbers & Data Headlines

Numbers and data headlines offer concrete information, adding credibility and providing clear expectations. They also enhance the perception of value, increase click-through rates, and improve content comprehensibility.

I’ve also found that data articles are most likely to be reshared and backlinked — making this a powerful SEO strategy for your blogging efforts!

Formulas + Examples:

• {Number} Ways {Topic} Will Revolutionize the World by {Year}
  5 Ways AI Will Revolutionize the World by 2025
• {Number} Scientifically Proven Ways to Improve Your {Skill/Attribute}
  3 Scientifically Proven Ways to Improve Your Memory
• {Number} Habits of {Successful Group}: A Comprehensive Study
  7 Habits of Millionaires: A Comprehensive Study
• {Number} Surprising Statistics About {Topic} in {Year}
  10 Surprising Statistics About Mental Health in 2023
• {Number} Data Points That Will Change Your View on {Topic}
  8 Data Points That Will Change Your View on Sex

12. Challenge Headline Examples

Challenge headlines inspire readers to take on a specific task, sparking motivation and encouraging personal growth. Write these headlines to create a sense of excitement and empowerment, inviting readers to push their limits and overcome obstacles.

Formulas + Examples:

• Can You {Accomplish Task} in Just {Timeframe}?
  Can You Master Python Programming in Just One Month?
• Think You’re a {Topic} Expert? Prove It
  Think You’re a History Buff? Prove It
• Only {Percentage} Can Score Perfectly on This {Topic} Quiz
  Only 5% Can Score Perfectly on This Classic Literature Quiz
• Do You Have What It Takes to {Accomplish Task}?
  Do You Have What It Takes to Run a Marathon?
• The Ultimate {Topic} Challenge: Are You Ready?
  The Ultimate Vegan Diet Challenge: Are You Ready?

13. Comparison Headlines

Comparison headlines help readers make informed decisions by presenting contrasting options. They provide insights into the pros and cons, helping readers evaluate choices and choose the most suitable option.

Formulas + Examples:

• {Item A} vs. {Item B}: Which Is Right for You?
  MacBook Pro vs. Dell XPS: Which Is Right for You?
• How {Product/Service} Stacks Up Against the Competition
  How Copy Ads Content Up Against the Competition
• {Topic} Face-Off: {Item A} vs. {Item B}
  Fitness Tracker Face-Off: Fitbit vs. Apple Watch
• The Real Difference Between {Item A} and {Item B}
  The Real Difference Between Organic and Non-Organic Foods
• {Item A} or {Item B}? Making the Right Choice
  Coffee or Tea? Making the Right Morning Choice

14. Direct Address Headlines

Direct address headlines create a personal connection with readers by speaking directly to them. They evoke a sense of intimacy and make readers feel seen and understood.

Try these headline examples to increase your reader engagement and build deeper relationships.

Formulas + Examples:

• Why You Need to {Take Action} Today
  Why You Need to Start Investing Today
• This Is What’s Really Holding You Back in {Area of Life}
  This Is What’s Really Holding You Back in Your Career
• Your Guide to Becoming a Better {Role/Profession}
  Your Guide to Becoming a Better Public Speaker
• The One Thing You’re Missing in Your {Area of Life}
  The One Thing You’re Missing in Your Fitness Routine
• What Your {Area of Life} Says About You
  What Your Morning Routine Says About You

15. Promise Headlines

Promise headlines clearly communicate what readers can expect from your content. They set expectations, build anticipation, and increase the perceived value of your offering.

Formulas + Examples:

• Get {Desired Result} in Just {Timeframe}
  Get Clearer Skin in Just 30 Days
• The Only {Topic} Guide You’ll Ever Need
  The Only Content Marketing Guide You’ll Ever Need
• Say Goodbye to {Problem} Forever
  Say Goodbye to Clutter Forever
• Transform Your {Area of Life} in {Number} Simple Steps
  Transform Your Diet in 5 Simple Steps
• Achieve Your Dream of {Desired Result} with This Plan
  Achieve Your Dream of Financial Independence with This Plan

16. Exclusivity Headlines

Exclusivity headlines make readers feel special and part of an exclusive group. You can create a sense of privilege and urgency, driving readers to take action to access limited or exclusive content.

Use these headline formulas carefully as they’re one of the most powerful on this list!

Formulas + Headline Examples:

• Insider Secrets to {Desired Result}
  Insider Secrets to Mastering the Stock Market
• {Topic} Hacks Only the Experts Know
  Writing Hacks Only the Best Authors Know
• The {Topic} Guide for Serious {Profession/Hobbyists} Only
  The Advanced Photography Guide for Serious Hobbyists Only
• Little-Known Ways to {Action/Result}
  Little-Known Ways to Boost Your Creativity
• Unearthed: {Topic} Secrets Only a Few People Know
  Unearthed: Ancient History Secrets Only a Few People Know

ChatGPT Headline Example Prompt

Want to see how I generated these headline examples and formulas?

Here are all the prompts I wrote which you can copy and paste into ChatGPT to create your own headlines.

Be sure to change up the prompt for unique and relevant prompts for your business/blog!

Prompt #1

write me a long list of the most persuasive and effective headlines in the world. Organize them and categorize them. Do not explain the rationale. Just make a big list of highly-effective headlines. 

ChatGPT provided a long list of headline examples.

However, I wanted to get the formulas to go with it.

You could probably combine the prompt above with the prompt below to generate everything all in one go (I’m still figuring out how to be a smarter, faster, and more productive human with AI).

Prompt #2

Now rewrite this list to create headline formulas like this:

BEFORE
What They Don't Want You to Know About Losing Weight

AFTER
What They Don't Want You to Know About {Topic}

Only provide the formula in the new list. 

Prompt #3

And don’t forget to thank ChatGPT for all its hard work.

Thank you!

For which ChatGPT responded with:

You're welcome! If you have any other requests or need further assistance, feel free to ask. Happy writing!

In the event of an AI/robot uprising, being grateful may put you in the category of “humans to keep as slaves” while the rest of the population experiences a global extermination event.

Final Thoughts

I love collecting headline examples and formulas. They’re a powerful resource that provides endless inspiration and ideas for copywriters and marketers.

If you want to keep a copy of this list of the best headline examples, add your email below!

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