Pen Pivot Headline tips
headline templates.
Whether it’s a blog post, YouTube video, reel, podcast, or anything else…
Using a proven, psychology-driven headline template forces you to write the headline first and then create the content to match it.
(Instead of the other way around — which is what most do).
The result?
A piece of content you know your audience will click and view.
More views and shares, with less work.
Here are two headline templates you can try today...
HEADLINE TEMPLATE #1
“One Thing”
❝
The One Thing [Group] Should Never Do, According To [Authority]
Why The Template Works:
Loss Aversion: Hints at a critical action to avoid.
Authority: Referring to a trusted figure boosts credibility.
Examples Using The Template:
Photography: "The One Thing Amateur Photographers Should Never Do, According To A Pro"
Real Estate: "The One Thing Home Buyers Should Never Do, According To A Realtor"
Speed Things Up With ChatGPT:
Just fill in your niche, audience, and content type, then paste the following prompt into ChatGPT.
It’ll give you 10 headlines using the template and ask if you’d like an outline for any.
Say yes, and it’ll generate an entire outline tailored to your content format.
I’m a content creator in the [insert niche] niche, targeting [insert audience]. I want to create a [insert content type, e.g., reel, blog post] based on this template:
The One Thing [Group] Should Never Do, According To [Authority]
Example from a different niche: The 1 Thing Coffee Drinkers Should Never Do, According To A Dentist
Generate 10 headline ideas for my niche.
Under each, briefly describe "the one thing" referred to.
At the end, ask if I'd like an outline for any headline.
Follow-Up Prompt (If I Request an Outline):
Create an outline for the selected headline, tailored to my content type. Include sections, main points, and format-specific tips.
HEADLINE TEMPLATE #2
“List Effective Items, Highlight One to Avoid”
❝
[Number] [Items] For [Outcome] That You Should Try (And 1 You Shouldn't)
Why The Template Works:
Surprise: "And one you shouldn't" sparks curiosity and taps into our fear of making mistakes.
Examples Using The Template:
Gardening: "8 Plants For Low-Maintenance Gardens That You Should Try (And 1 You Shouldn't)"
Software Developer: "5 Tools For Efficient Coding That You Should Try (And 1 You Shouldn't)"
Speed Things Up With ChatGPT:
I'm a content creator in the [insert niche] niche and my target audience is [insert target audience]. I want to create content based on the following headline template:
[Number] [Items] For [Outcome] That You Should Try (And 1 You Shouldn't)
This template is modeled on the following headline:
7 AI Tricks For Work Productivity That You Should Try And 1 You Shouldn't
Generate 10 headline ideas for my niche.
At the end, ask if I'd like an outline for any headline.
Follow-Up Prompt (If I Request an Outline):
Create an outline for the selected headline, tailored to my content type. Include sections, main points, and format-specific tips.
Source: helpdesk.WordPress.2026-06-05.xml · Original ID: 4590