87 Powerful Words That Convert: Get Your Customers Attention Every Time

Can one word change the way a client views an email, presses a button or looks at a home?

In our experience, yes. A word can change the meaning, the mood, and the motivation. You likely know that particular words matter. You click on a headline because a single word strikes you. You click a button because a word creates an emotion. Trying to get signups for your newsletter? The difference between “joining” and “signing up” is the difference between fellowship and enlisting. The words you use in your copy, emails and work matter, and we are happy to share several lists of phrases and words that have proven to convert.

The five most persuasive words in the English language

• You
• Free
• Because
• Instantly
• New

You’ve seen these words countless times before—and for good reason. The research behind these words has shown over and over that they work. Gregory Ciotti wrote about these five in a post for Copyblogger, showing exactly how each is vital for persuasive speech and copy. For instance, immediate words like “instantly” trigger mid-brain activity and feed our zest for quick gratification.

Where to try these words: Calls-to-action, headlines, email subject lines, headings, copy, opening sentences and paragraphs

The 5 Most Persuasive Words in the English Language: http://www.copyblogger.com/persuasive-copywriting-words/

 

The 20 most influential words

• Suddenly
• Now
• Announcing
• Introducing
• Improvement
• Amazing
• Sensational
• Remarkable
• Revolutionary
• Startling
• Miracle
• Magic
• Offer
• Quick
• Easy
• Wanted
• Challenge
• Compare
• Bargain
• Hurry

David Ogilvy is to advertising as Jimi Hendrix is to the electric guitar. His list of influential words you see above was first published in 1963, and many remain in vogue today.

Where to try these: Headlines, bullet points, subject lines, copy

Copywriting myths: the 12 most persuasive words in the English Language: http://benlocker.com/copywriting-myths-the-12-most-persuasive-words-in-the-english-language/

 

Three words to encourage community

• Join
• Become a member
• Come along

These community phrases provide a sense of togetherness to the user; they feel like they’re taking part in something larger than themselves.

Where to try these words: Email signups, in-app messaging, copy

 

11 phrases that imply exclusivity

• Members only
• Login required
• Class full
• Membership now closed
• Ask for an invitation
• Exclusive offers
• Become an insider
• Be one of the few
• See it before everybody else
• Be the first to hear about it
• Only available to subscribers

You want in because others are in. There’s a bit of social pressure with exclusivity wording, and it helps drive decisions and actions for the user.

Where to try these: Signup forms, links, calls-to-action, subheads, email

 

48 ubiquitous power words

• Improve
• Trust
• Immediately
• Discover
• Profit
• Learn
• Know
• Understand
• Powerful
• Best
• Win
• Hot Special
• More
• Bonus
• Exclusive
• Extra
• You
• Free
• Health
• Guarantee
• New
• Proven
• Safety
• Money
• Now
• Today
• Results
• Protect
• Help
• Easy
• Amazing
• Latest
• Extraordinary
• How to
• Worst
• Ultimate
• Hot
• First
• Big
• Anniversary
• Premiere
• Basic
• Complete
• Save
• Plus!
• Create

The list, which was originally compiled by Linda Ruth and Curtis Circulation Company, came from studying best-selling magazine covers, and it has been found the words work equally well on magazines as they do in copy and email subject lines.

Where to try these: Email subject lines, headlines, and calls-to-action

58 Online Copywriting Power Words & Phrases: http://www.mequoda.com/articles/audience-development/58-online-copywriting-power-words-phrases/

 

Source: blog.bufferapp.com