A few months ago, I received a cold DM.
The kind you usually delete without even opening.
But this one? I clicked. I read it. Twice.
Why?
Because the first sentence was impossible to ignore.
It didn’t say “Hi, I help businesses grow online.” It didn’t pitch. It didn’t try to be clever.
It simply said:
“This might be the weirdest message you get today, but it will make you money.”
Boom. Curiosity. Contrast. Value. All in one line.
And it got me thinking: That’s exactly what a great headline does.
Here’s what that cold DM taught me about writing better headlines:
1. Curiosity is your superpower
Don’t give everything away up front. Tease just enough to make the reader want more.
"The one mistake even great writers make (and how to fix it)"
2. Contrast creates tension
Pair unexpected ideas together. It creates a mental itch that readers have to scratch.
“How a failed product launch made me a better marketer”
3. Promise a clear benefit
Let the reader know they’ll get something valuable if they keep reading.
“Double your email open rates using this 3-word subject line trick”
Whether it’s a cold DM, a blog title, or a LinkedIn post—your headline is your first (and maybe only) shot.
Make it count.
