How Smiling Can Kill Your Blog
That probably turned a few heads, but I assure you, it is the case in a very specific set of circumstances.
We’re going back out to marketingexperiments.com for the further skinny on this particular strange set of circumstances, but as it turns out, it’s quite true. They did more study of blog headlines, and they generated three examples. Those three:
An essential resource when corporate clients tell you they have 2,000,000 documents to be reviewed.
Say Yes when a client asks you to review FIVE MILLION separate documents.
Say Yes when a client asks you to review FIVE MILLION separate documents. And smile.
You’ll notice that the second and third example are almost identical, except that one encourages you to smile. At first glance, none of these sound like bad headlines–maybe the first one’s a bit wordy, but still. But when the leads gathered from the headlines were measured, something bizarre and horrifying happened.
The first one generated six leads. The second generated nine. But adding the two-word phrase “and smile” to the second one to create the third generated NO LEADS AT ALL.
Smiling literally killed the headline. And if your headlines are dead, then your entire blog might as well be.
What’s the takeaway from all this, you wonder. Never smile? No wit allowed in headlines? No. The takeaway here is that you’d be downright amazed at what can outright destroy your blog. Things as simple and innocent as a smile. It’s also a good idea to consider place. When you’re blogging about reviewing millions of documents at once, it’s probably not a good place to interject a joke in your headline.
Just a little something to keep in mind.
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#1 by Travel n Tourism on December 25, 2009 - 11:34 pm
It is strange… I thought smiles in blogging makes them unique for hight traffic ranking. I think, we should investigate it further.
#2 by cashback creditcards on December 26, 2009 - 2:51 pm
Good point…keep business…business. Very little room for jokes when it comes down to straight business.
#3 by sohbet on December 27, 2009 - 12:51 am
It is strange… I thought smiles in blogging makes them unique for hight traffic ranking
#4 by Jose Anajero on December 27, 2009 - 12:36 pm
I've just started studying web copywriting and this is one of the lessons I've learned so far:
“Rule No. 18: Avoid humor. You can entertain a million people and not sell one of them. There is not a single humorous line in two of the most influential books in the world—the Bible and the Sears, Roebuck catalog” (John Caples, 1975).
Perhaps that can also be applicable to blogging?
Thanks Paul for your interesting post.
Jose
#5 by Paul on December 28, 2009 - 5:34 am
Jose–thanks for that. You just gave me an idea.
#6 by glutamine on December 28, 2009 - 5:39 pm
It is an exceptional poem who would make a great Blog site for your daughter. Think also that your idea will work to help other children in defining their feelings and the most important getting the ways they shall manage all the aspects of being separated by their closest relatives for longer or shorter periods of time.
#7 by Water tanks on December 28, 2009 - 11:00 pm
NO LEADS AT ALL…This is a strange one…
#8 by Eddy Tembilung on December 29, 2009 - 12:33 am
Look my smile. How can people review FIVE MILLION separate documents. Impossible, Smile
#9 by Animation Dance Asso on December 30, 2009 - 11:53 am
Hey there from Palermo (Buenos Aires - Argentina)
We love your blog and think you are right to raise this important issue.
We have been thinking along similar lines here in BS. It is good to connect with other like minded thinkers on these issues. Keep up the good work and keep the debate going.
Cheers
Animation Dance Association
#10 by teknoloji haberleri on January 2, 2010 - 2:16 am
We love your blog and think you are right to raise this important issue.
#11 by Financial Freedom is on January 2, 2010 - 10:36 pm
I think it's best to avoid humor.That way your blog can be taken serious.
Business is serious stuff.
#12 by freelance writing ti on January 3, 2010 - 8:19 pm
Thanks for your advice. Business is business…
#13 by Nakliye on January 4, 2010 - 10:03 am
Thanks Paul for your interesting post.
#14 by Ruben | OurBlogLog on January 5, 2010 - 12:21 pm
maybe it looks unprofessional in the pitch
#15 by Paul on January 5, 2010 - 7:11 pm
And now no one wants to hear how it's done. Eddy, what have you done?? I know, it sounds preposterous, but those are the results they got.
#16 by Paul on January 5, 2010 - 7:11 pm
Buenos noches Sud America!
Seriously though, glad to see you guys in here–hope you keep up with the blog. We'll do our best to help you out.
#17 by Paul on January 5, 2010 - 7:12 pm
Isn't it though? I was puzzled myself.
#18 by Program on January 7, 2010 - 10:19 am
Ve never seen here until I see interesting blogs. thank you all for sharing. I read news in some respects due to the bay has changed my thinking.