The Top 20 Magic Marketing Words That Compel or Repel

Words have power. We all know that. So, which marketing words encourage subscribers to act, customers to buy, or donors to give? We read through dozens upon dozens of emails and compiled a list of “sales-boosting” marketing words and a list of “sales-deflating” terms. Keep these lists handy the next time you craft an email or social post, and don’t forget to incorporate a few power words.

What are power words?

Power words are the secret sauce behind many successful marketing campaigns. These are words and phrases that pack a punch, evoking emotions, creating a sense of urgency, and compelling your target audience to take action. Whether you’re crafting an email, writing a blog post, or optimizing your website for search engines, the right power words can significantly boost engagement and conversion rates. By strategically incorporating power words into your marketing efforts, you can capture attention, drive traffic, and ultimately, increase sales. Think of power words as the magic ingredients that transform ordinary marketing messages into compelling calls to action.

Types of Power Words

Power words come in various flavors, each designed to tap into different aspects of human psychology. Here are some key types of power words you can use in your marketing campaigns:

• Trust Power Words: These words help build credibility and trust with your audience. Examples include “risk-free” and “proven.” They reassure potential customers that your product or service is reliable and worth their investment.
• Greed Power Words: These words appeal to the desire for more — more savings, more benefits, more exclusivity. Examples include “discount,” “limited-time offer,” and “exclusive.” They create a sense of urgency and scarcity, prompting quick action.
• Curiosity Power Words: These words pique interest and encourage further exploration. Examples include “mystery,” “surprise,” and “new.” They make your audience want to learn more, increasing engagement.
• Anticipation Power Words: These words build excitement and expectation. Examples include “upcoming,” “soon,” and “limited edition.” They keep your audience on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting what’s next.
• Motivational Power Words: These words inspire and drive action. Examples include “results,” “improve,” and “achieve.” They resonate with your audience’s aspirations and goals, motivating them to take the next step.

By understanding and utilizing these different types of power words, you can tailor your marketing messages to resonate more deeply with your target audience.

Boost sales with these powerful marketing words

1. Sale – It’s the old faithful of marketing words. While a lot of businesses use the word “sale,” it has the power to motivate customers. Who doesn’t love a good deal?

2. Off – If you can offer your audience an incentive like 50% off or $25 off your next $75 purchase, you’ll pique interest quickly and give customers an added incentive to buy.

3. Now – This handy word encourages people to act. It creates a sense of urgency. Usually “now” is used as part of a call to action. Examples include “Shop now,” “Act now,” and “Subscribe now.”

4. New – Customers are intrigued by the newest gadget, product, or offer. It’s an attention-grabbing word that’s effective in emails.

5. Best sellers – People like knowing what items or services are popular, so creating a list of best-selling products is a great way to capture additional sales. Here’s an example from a home goods store, Wayfair. The subject line reads: “Best-selling accent furniture to find that missing piece.” The body of the email also uses the word “best sellers.”

6. Be the first – Customers like exclusive access. Give your audience a sneak peek at new products, upcoming offers, and high-quality content.

7. Your – Words like “your” or “you” show customers that you’re thinking about them. It’s a simple personalized touch that can go a long way to increase sales. Take a look at the three subject lines below. Each one includes the word “your” or “you.”

8. Thank you – Show your customers a little love by showing your appreciation once in a while. When you reach a new goal, thank your customers with a new deal, host a customer appreciation event, or send a kind email thanking new subscribers for signing up.

9. Remember – Your customers are busy, so it’s always a good idea to send reminder emails. Maybe you want to remind customers about an event or to use the reward points that they’ve accumulated. An example is, “Remember, you have three hours left to redeem your offer!”

10. Tips – Everyone can use a little help once in a while. Send emails that are full of tips to help your customers use your product or improve their business in some way.

How to Use Power Words Effectively

Using power words effectively requires a strategic approach. Here are some tips to help you maximize their impact:

• Headlines and Subject Lines: The first impression matters. Use power words in your headlines and email subject lines to grab attention instantly. For example, “Unlock Exclusive Discounts Now” or “Discover the Secret to Effortless Success.”
• Marketing Messages: Infuse your marketing messages with power words to create urgency and motivate action. Phrases like “Act Now,” “Limited-Time Offer,” and “Exclusive Access” can drive immediate responses.
• Email Subject Lines: Boost your email open rates by incorporating power words into your subject lines. Words like “Free,” “Urgent,” and “New” can entice recipients to click and read more.
• Content Marketing: Make your content more engaging and shareable by using power words. Whether it’s a blog post, social media update, or video script, words like “Amazing,” “Incredible,” and “Unbelievable” can captivate your audience.
• Search Engine Optimization: Enhance your SEO efforts by including power words in your meta descriptions, title tags, and content. This can improve your search engine rankings and drive more organic traffic to your website.

By strategically placing power words in these key areas, you can enhance the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns and achieve better results.

Where to Use Power Words for Maximum Impact

Power words can be sprinkled throughout your marketing strategy to maximize their impact. Here are some prime locations to consider:

Headlines

Headlines are the gateway to your content. They need to be compelling enough to make your audience want to read more. By using power words in your headlines, you can significantly increase their effectiveness. For example, headlines like “Limited-Time Offer: Save Big on Our Best-Selling Products” or “Exclusive Access: Discover the Latest Trends Now” can draw readers in and encourage them to engage with your content.

By strategically incorporating power words into these areas, you can create more compelling marketing messages that resonate with your audience and drive action.

10 Words That Can Deflate Your Sales

1. Hurry – Yes, you want to encourage customers to act fast, but this word is overused and doesn’t pack as much punch as “Act now” or “Limited-time offer.” Using words that evoke an emotional response can be more effective in prompting immediate action.

2. Look inside – These two words are commonly used in subject lines. You’re stating the obvious. Of course, the recipient has to look inside to read the content or claim the deal. Skip these two words and just get to the point.

3. Groundbreaking – While “groundbreaking” sounds impressive, it’s not helpful, says Eric Fischgrund, founder of marketing and public relations company FischTank. “Everyone says this,” he says. “To your readers, it’s an instant turn off.”

4. Guaranteed – Fischgrund reminds us that nothing in life is guaranteed, so it’s best to avoid using this word. You can still back your product or service; just refrain from using the word “guaranteed.”

5. Huge – Every sale and event is huge. Think of alternatives to use. For instance, “Our Biggest Sale of the Year.” It’s more descriptive.

6. Cyberspace – It’s not 1980. If you refer to the Internet in any way, avoid outdated terms like “cyberspace” or “information superhighway” unless you’re being ironic.

7. Hassle-free – Sure, the phrase seems positive, but you’re still associating the word “hassle” with your business or brand. Not a good idea. Go with “easy” instead.

8. Once in a lifetime – Cliché and typically untrue phrases like this don’t help your sales. Be original.

9. Final days to save – This phrase is vague. How many days are left in the sale? Give your customers a specific time frame on all deals.

10. SAVE UP TO 25% RIGHT NOW!!!! – There are two red flags in this statement. For starters, don’t use all caps; it makes people feel like you’re screaming at them. Keep your punctuation to a minimum, too. The sale isn’t any more enticing with three exclamation points.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.