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Did you know that out of the roughly 171,467 words in the English language, there are just 14 words proven to boost your marketing conversions?
The words you use in your marketing matter. A lot. (Don’t believe me? Just look at these 13 case studies to see how changing a few words can increase conversions astronomically.)
The right words in the right places can grab the reader’s attention, tug at heartstrings, and even increase the perceived value of your offering. But, it’s not a matter of just slapping these 14 power words into your marketing copy. You have to know when and how to use them effectively to get the best results.
Without further adieu, let’s dive into this list of 14 power words that influence decision-making, stir up emotions, and create a sense of urgency. I bet some of them will surprise you…
Who doesn’t love something for free? It’s the ultimate attention grabber. Incorporate this word into your marketing to offer valuable content, samples, or trials for FREE.
People crave the latest and greatest. If you’ve got something new to offer, shout it from the rooftops. Show off your “new arrivals,” “new features,” and “new and improved services” – the first word alone will pique interest.
Trust is everything. Using the word “proven” shows that your product or service has a track record of delivering results. Adding social proof, like great user reviews, or statistics to back up those claims will amp up the trust factor even more.
Everyone loves a hassle-free solution. Life is already complicated enough. The easier your offering seems to figure out, the more likely potential customers will be to click buy.
In a world where we’ve never got a moment to waste, “instant” really resonates with people. Whether it’s instant results, instant access, or instant downloads, this word can be a game-changer.
Who doesn’t love a good mystery? The word “secret” instantly piques our curiosity and adds intrigue.
No matter what it is, we always want more. We all love bigger and better. Use “more” to emphasize what your customers will gain, whether it’s more value, more time, or more satisfaction.
Didn’t see that one coming, did ya?
Oddly enough, “the” is one of the most powerful words in the English language. It adds specificity and makes your statements feel definitive. For example, “the ultimate solution for your _______ needs,” will get your prospect’s attention fast and whisk them off to the schedule a call page even faster.
Incorporating “yes” into your marketing subtly yet powerfully models the response you want your target audience to have. Phrases like “Yes, I want this!” or “Say yes to a better future” can bring their internal dialogue to the surface.
“If” is a great word to open a story loop and make people wonder what life could be like if they used your product or service, evoking emotions of curiosity and possibility.
This is another great one for drawing potential customers into a story of transformation. “Imagine what it would feel like to ___________.”
This one might also be a surprise contender on the list. However, all the persuasive words in the world won’t do any good if your product or service isn’t solving an actual problem for your ideal client.
Use the word “never” to show what your customers won’t have to worry about anymore, with phrases like “Never worry about late deliveries again”.
You need to know your audience for this one. This word is all about transformation and moving people forward but it is more common in the business world than in everyday life. So, although it may be a great power word for B2B, it would likely fall flat in B2C contexts.
You: the most important word of all the power words. Make your marketing about the customer, not your business. Use “you” to show how your offering benefits them directly.
Now that you’ve got the list of power words in hand, it’s time to figure out how and when to use them.
While it might sound logical to just throw all of your favorite power words into every piece of marketing copy for maximum conversions, that isn’t how marketing works.
Overloading your audience with these strong words may make your message sound insincere or overly salesy.
Instead, use a few powerful words thoughtfully and strategically. Put them in logical places where they add value and enhance the clarity or persuasiveness of your message.
One of the best ways to do this is to write out all your copy first and then get out this power words list during the editing process.
Not all words resonate the same way with different groups of people. For example, a younger, more tech-savvy audience might be more attracted to words like “new” and “instant”, while an older demographic may be more drawn to words like “proven” and “easy”.
Use data to help you understand what drives your target market’s decision-making process and what language they respond to best.
Even the best words will fall flat if you are telling the wrong story.
Keep the focus of your marketing materials on the customer- they are the hero of the story. It’s their needs, desires, and problems that your products or services are here to solve.
Use words to demonstrate how your offering can help them overcome challenges, achieve their goals, or enhance their lives. This not only fosters a customer-centric narrative but also builds trust and rapport. When customers feel seen and understood, they are much more likely to make a purchase.
Even with the right power words, there is still no 100% guarantee. In marketing, you have to be willing to try, test and try again.
A/B testing involves using analytics tools to help you compare two versions of a marketing campaign and see which one performs better. You change just one element at a time (like the headline, call to action, or images) so you can figure out which version gets the best conversion rates.
This invaluable testing technique helps you optimize your marketing, and your use of all the power words, to ensure they’re truly resonating with your audience.
Now, where should you use these words in your marketing campaigns? Let’s break it down:
Word-rich headlines in your email subject lines and social media posts can increase open rates, boost conversions and improve interaction. (Just steer clear of the spammy, click-bait style or your emails will end up in spam filters.)
As a small business owner or marketing director, you probably don’t have time to play around with these common power words and do A/B testing until you figure out which combination works best for your audience.
Why not let someone else do it for you?
Here at Guide MKTG, we use a proven marketing framework to create high-quality marketing that converts. Just schedule a free call today to get the partnership started.
You’ll never have to waste time figuring out how to incorporate power words into your marketing campaigns again. You’ll instantly have more time, and brain power, for the projects that matter most to you. Imagine what life would be like if you didn’t have to deal with marketing anymore. Schedule a call today to find out.
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