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189 Powerful Words That Convert - Buffer Blog
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Join us!
Sign up!
These phrases litter the huge variety of email newsletter boxes youll come across online,
and they generally serve the same purpose: Click here to give us your email address. They
serve the same purpose, but do they say the same thing?
Can one word change the way you feel about a button?
The most powerful words, shared to social at exactly the right times. Schedule for free
with Bu er!
To connect the dots then, youre probably wondering: If a single word makes that much
di erence, then what words should I be using? Which words and phrases convert?
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The scienceof copywriting, the psychologyof headlines, and the art of CTAs has revealed
quite a number of go-to moves for marketers looking to gain a linguistic edge in their words
and pitches. Ive enjoyed saving several lists of these so-called power words and pulling
them out to use in a pinch. Im happy to share mylists with you of the phrases and words
that convert . Do you have any power words that work magic for you? Id love to hear about
them in the comments.
You likely know inherently that speci c words matter. You click on a headline because a
single word strikes you. You click a signup button because a word creates an emotion.
The research behind this power of words is incredibly deep. Researchers have found that the
word you use to describe a car accident (contacted vs. smashed) paints the way
eyewitnesses view the event. Another study found that simple stock names that are easier to
pronounce lead to quicker gains post-IPO.
Excuse me, I have ve pages. May I use the Xerox machine? 60% said OK
Excuse me, I have ve pages. May I use the Xerox machinebecause Im in a rush?
94% said OK
Excuse me, I have ve pages. May I use the Xerox machinebecause I have to make
some copies? 93% said OK
I dont know about you, but I thought Langers third request was rather elementary. Yet it
didnt matter. The trigger word because was all she needed. The takeaway: When you want
people to take action, always give a reason.
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The vast majority of respondents label the smooth, rounded image a malumaand the hard,
jagged image atakete.
To go one step further into the power of words, you can look atPatrick Renvoise and
Christopher Morins book about neuromarketing (see Peep Lajas article at ConversionXLfor
a great analysis of the book). Renvoise and Morin highlightthe three di erent brains we
have: the new brain, the middle brain, and the old brain.
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The old brain is the part that controls decisions, and it also happens to be the most primitive.
In this way, the words you use to market to the old brain will often be the most direct,
simple, arresting, visual words you have.
Youll likely see a lot of these old brain words in the lists below.
A quick Google search can reveal pages of results for persuasive and powerful words. Theres
no trouble nding them; theres sometimes trouble applying them. The words you see below
are split into a number of categories, along with some ideas on how Ive used them in the
past (and how you can use them, too).
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Free
Because
Instantly
New
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Youve seen these words countless times beforeand for good reason. The research behind
these wordshas shown over and over that they work. Gregory Ciotti wrote about these vein
a post for Copyblogger, showing exactly how each is vital for persuasive speech and copy. For
instance, immediatewords like instantly trigger mid-brain activity and feed our zest for
quick grati cation.
Where to try these words: Calls-to-action, headlines, email subject lines, headings, opening
sentences and paragraphs
Now
Announcing
Introducing
Improvement
Amazing
Sensational
Remarkable
Revolutionary
Startling
Miracle
Magic
O er
Quick
Easy
Wanted
Challenge
Compare
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Bargain
Hurry
David Ogilvy is to advertising as Jimi Hendrix is to the electric guitar.His list of in uential
words you see above was rst published in 1963, and many remain in vogue today.
(Sidenote: For a fun blast from the past, courtesy of Ben Locker, here are a couple
advertisements for power words that date back to 1961. A New York Times ad is on the left, a
Washington Post ad is on the right. Ogilvys 20 in uential words came out two years after
these.)
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3 words to encouragecommunity
Join
Become a member
Come along
These community phrases provide a sense of togetherness to the user; they feel like theyre
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taking part in something larger than themselves. (Youll notice that we use the word join
in our email newsletter form.)
Where to try these words: Email signups, trial o ers, in-app messaging
As a result
Because
Caused by
Consequently
Due to
Since
Therefore
Thus
Author Darlene Price, the originator of this cause-and-e ect list, has great insight into what
makes these cause-and-e ect phrases so useful: Cause-and-e ect words make your claims
sound objective and rational rather than biased and subjective.
Login required
Class full
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Exclusive o ers
Become an insider
Garrett Moon of CoSchedule explains exclusivity as being like a club with membership
restrictions. You want in because others are in. Theres a bit of social pressure with
exclusivity wording, and it helps drive decisions and actions for the user.
Today only
Only 10 available
Only 3 left
The fear of missing out (often abbreviated as FOMO)is a common driver of action for
marketers and advertisers. FOMO is essentially scarcity. By showing that an item or product
is in limited supply, you hope to ratchet up demand.
Authentic
Backed
Best-selling
Cancel Anytime
Certi ed
Endorsed
Guaranteed
Ironclad
Lifetime
Moneyback
No Obligation
No Questions Asked
No Risk
No Strings Attached
O cial
Privacy
Protected
Proven
Recession-proof
Refund
Research
Results
Secure
Tested
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Verify
Unconditional
Boost Blog Tra cs Jon Morrow collected a huge list of power words(his full list of 317 is
well worth the read) andsorted the list by category. The above section is Morrows grouping
of wordsthat engender feelings of safety. Its my favorite group from Morrows list because
these safety words have an amazing e ect on the person reading: They create trust.
Trust
Immediately
Discover
Pro t
Learn
Know
Understand
Powerful
Best
Win
Hot Special
More
Bonus
Exclusive
Extra
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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
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Complete
Save
Plus!
Create
Each employee on the circulation and email marketing teams at Interweave Press has these
words printed and posted on their wall. The list, which was originally compiled Linda Ruth
and Curtis Circulation Company, came from studying best-selling magazine covers, and
Interweaves Bob Kaslik found that the words work equally well on magazines as they do in
promo copy and in email subject lines.
Tell us
Inspires
Take
Help
Promote
Increase
Create
Discover
Neil Patel put together the infographic you see below, based on research on each of the four
major social networks: Twitter, Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn. His list represents the
words that can get your content shared on social media. Ive found success grouping some of
these words with other power words as well.
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If youre looking for inspiration (and a few unique power words to keep in your toolbox), try
keeping track of the words that get you to convert. Take note of the words and phrases that
grab your attention. Keep in mind why a headline stands out more than another. Notice
which words grab you in a bullet list of bene ts.
As you nd new words, you can build a list in Evernote or another note-taking app; then be
sure to reference them when youre in a pinch and looking for a powerful addition to your
headline, copy, or post.
Do you have any favorite power words that have worked for you? Which ones from the list
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Also, you can use words like But to cancel objections. "It may seem expensive, BUT the real issue is
how much money you are losing by pushing the work onto people, rather than leveraging
technology."
Why? You use the company name, so now it's specific to this instance and not so much
rhetorical. "Imagine that THIS COMPANY will actually deliver. Like THIS TIME, we swear -
how awesome would THAT be?" You catch my point ;)
I think the examples are great, but they will work much better without the company name.
Otherwise the possibilities for negative connotation are pretty big.
4 Reply Share
The Fantastic Big List of One Gazillion Amazing Free Secret Words That Convert Yet Don't Make
You Feel Like a Total Douchebag Every Time You Use Them: Write Copy That Doesn't Make You
Want To Take a Shower When You're Done Because Conversions!
We can follow it with a page that scrolls forever, has two or three embedded videos, and uses lots of
Bold Red Words and even more yellow highlighter.
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Wow, that'd be quite the post, Geoff! Haha, I'd better start researching. :)
Definitely these power words can be taken too far. I noticed another comment here mention
that there comes a saturation point with these words, and they'd switch from power to
powerless pretty quick. :)
1 Reply Share
Oh, and interesting point about the difference between "sign-up" and "join" - somehow... "join"
makes me think that there's going to be money involved. I'm going to try "join free" and see what
happens!
AAAAACTION! CLAP!
Ciao,
L
9 Reply Share
I'd love to hear how "join free" works for you, Laura! So great to hear you're testing your
changes and finding what works best. Your approach is inspiring! :)
Reply Share
But I think over the last 5 years as the Internet bridge is making the world a smaller
place it's starting to have a little more power as we get used to this type of language.
When I first saw the Warrior Forum WSO threads. I couldn't believe that marketers
were paying copywriters tens of thousands of dollars for stuff that sounded like a 5
year old wrote it.
In saying that, reading the famous direct mail letter for the "Mcintosh emblem/crest"
I can't remember the guys name it was over 3 years ago when I read the piece. I felt
the same, the language seemed to be incredibly dumbed down. Perhaps because it
was back in the 50s and there was little educated people in their 20's-40's I don't
know...
I'm didn't even graduate and did poorly at school so it doesn't make much sense why
I felt the way I did when I read it.
Reply Share
Unless you are selling to nuclear scientists, or even if you are, use the KISS
principle: Keep it simple, stupid.
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Reply Share
Very interesting thread! Thanks so much for bringing up the distinction between
languages and geography! It's an awesome reminder for me to stay attuned to the
international audience on the blog. :)
Just curious, which words stood out to you as either "very American" or difficult to
translate? I'm probably quite blind to the nature of some of the power words I use on
a daily basis! Excited to learn more ... :)
Reply Share
"Limited Offer"
"Class Full"
"Announcing"
Some of the other words in themselves are 'bilingual' but tend to be used in a
very slightly different context or I see them (in American publications) with
other words that I wouldn't use.
I'm having trouble thinking of specifics, but they are just slightly 'off' and
therefore stand out to me as "out of place" rather than "compelling". I read a
phrase that is supposed to inspire me to take action but it just stands out as
"American 'marketing' ".
"Join" - I am not aware that you can express this in German with one word
without sounding like a military staff sergeant. It is one of the few call to
action words I have difficulties to translate as crisp into German. Usually the
German translation doesn't fit onto any call-to-action button, because it
usually turns out to be a whole sentence with min. 3 words.
"Hot Special" - that doesn't translate at all into German...well you can
translate it literally, but it would sound totally weird: "Heies Spezial" or
"Heies spezielles..." Makes me think of a hot vienna sausage with some
special sauce or worse/better, of something naughty and not safe for work. ;)
Reply Share
strict, reliable and so on. But no marketing is not needed. Just give them
actual and plain inforomation 5 real advantages over the others and end off.
Like the adverts for BMW . one word Efficiency. Of course young generation is
slighly chaging especially those lived abroad but still a long way.
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Other power words that have worked for me are DRAMATIC (which I picked up from Dr Glenn
Livingstone), BOOST (boost your confidence, boost your results, boost your bottom line etc.) and
PERSONALISE (which moves away from standard/ordinary/off-the-shelf/commodity, places the
attention squarely on the customer and beats the pants off BESPOKE and CUSTOMISE).
2 Reply Share
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Content Marketing
55% of Visitors Read Your Articles For 15 Seconds or Less: Why We Should
Focus on Attention Not Clicks
Since visual content arrived on the scene back in 2012, it has showed no signs of stopping.
Best practices on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter always reference images and
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videos as key elements for driving engagement. Graphics and visuals on blog posts are one of
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