Every experienced marketer would agree that the headline is the most importance piece of a copy
I scraped together 308 of the best headlines across multiple subreddits and asked AI to identify a pattern that makes these headlines great. Here is the result
The Ultimate Headline Formula:
[Specific Timeframe or Starting Point] + [Personal Action/Struggle] + [Impressive Result] + [Hint of Method or Hook]
Specific Timeframe or Starting Point: Grounds the story in a relatable context (e.g., "3 years ago," "with $50," "in 6 months").
Personal Action/Struggle: Highlights the human element or challenge (e.g., "I quit my job," "I lost $10K," "I taught myself to code").
Impressive Result: Showcases a tangible, eye-catching outcome (e.g., "$1M in sales," "100k subscribers," "multi-million dollar company").
Hint of Method or Hook: Teases value or curiosity (e.g., "Here’s how," "Lessons learned," "With one simple trick").
This formula works because it combines a narrative arc with a promise of value, piquing curiosity while establishing credibility.
Example headlines to post on Reddit:
"3 Years Ago I Quit My Corporate Job, Now My Painting Business Hits $2.5M in Sales – Here’s What I Wish I Knew"
Timeframe: "3 years ago"
Action: "I quit my corporate job"
Result: "$2.5M in sales"
Hook: "Here’s what I wish I knew"
"With $50 and No Skills, I Built a Candle Side Hustle to $200K This Year – My Exact Process"
Starting Point: "With $50 and no skills"
Action: "I built a candle side hustle"
Result: "$200K this year"
Hook: "My exact process"
"18 Months Ago I Was Unemployed, Last Week My Side Hustle Got Acquired by a $500M Fintech – AMA"
Timeframe: "18 months ago"
Struggle: "I was unemployed"
Result: "Acquired by a $500M fintech"
Hook: "AMA"
Why This Works:
Reddit: Users love personal stories of triumph, specific numbers, and actionable takeaways. The conversational tone and "AMA" or "Here’s how" hooks invite engagement.