Discover 12 proven techniques for crafting push notification headlines that boost CTR by 30-50%. Includes ready-to-use formulas and real-world examples.
1. 12 Proven Headline Techniques
1. Use Numbers
"5 Ways to Save $200" → 23% more effective than generic versions
2. Create Urgency
"🔥 Only 3 hours left: 40% off" (time limit)
"Last 2 spots for webinar" (quantity limit)
3. Personalization
"John, your exclusive offer inside!" (+18% open rate)
4. Ask Questions
"Want 30% off?" → 40% more engaging than statements
5. Strategic Emoji Use (1-2 max)
✅ "🎁 Your gift awaits!"
❌ "🎁🔥💎📢 Huge sale!!!"
6. Specifics Over Generics
Bad: "Special offer"
Good: "50% off Nike Air Max"
7. Pain Point Address
"Tired of overpaying for shipping?"
8. Create Curiosity
"You won't believe what we've prepared..."
9. Exclusivity
"Subscribers-only early access"
10. Clear Benefit
"How to save 1 hour daily? Read inside"
11. Mistake/Fix Approach
"Oops! Here's your 25% discount" (cart abandoners)
12. Trend Leverage
"How AI will transform your business? Learn first"
2. Ready-to-Use Headline Formulas
- Number + Benefit
- "3 Ways to Boost Sales by 70%"
- Question + Solution
- "Want more clients? We have answers!"
- Scarcity + Offer
- "Until May 15 only — free shipping"
- Error + Compensation
- "We messed up! Here's 20% off"
- Urgency + Value
- "24-hour flash sale: Premium course 60% off"
3. What Doesn't Work
- ALL CAPS ("HUGE SALE!!!") → triggers spam filters
- Clickbait without substance
- Overly long (>7 words)
- No clear benefit
- Excessive exclamation points
4. A/B Testing Headlines
What to Test:
- With vs without emojis
- Question vs statement
- Length (5 vs 8 words)
- Benefit type ($ vs % savings)
Test Example:
5. Industry-Specific Examples
E-commerce:
"Your cart is waiting! Complete checkout & save 15%"
SaaS:
"Your trial expires in 2 days"
Media:
"Just published: Elon Musk's explosive interview"
Gaming:
"New level unlocked! Claim your bonus now"
Perfect Headline Checklist
- ≤7 words ✓
- Clear benefit ✓
- Emotional hook ✓
- Content-match ✓
- A/B tested ✓
Pro Tip: Maintain a swipe file of 50-100 high-performing headlines and continuously update it based on performance analytics. Test different styles weekly to identify what resonates best with your audience. For time-sensitive offers, always include the expiration timeframe in the headline itself.