We all know the old saying that the pen is more powerful than the sword. It turns out that it is true. A power word, also known as a trigger word, is a word that elicits emotion and prompts a response. It makes people feel the need or desire to respond to what you are presenting to them. This is great news for marketers and entrepreneurs. Your business will be healthier if you use power words to increase conversions and build your audience.
What is a power word? How can you effectively use these words?
We’ve compiled a list of 200 powerful words that will increase conversions and persuade customers. We’ll explain how and where to use them, if they are best used in headlines, landing pages, or to inspire vanity. Let’s get into the details of power words and their function. Power words are a common theme in advertisements. Marketers use power terms to get people to respond to calls to action.
Any word could be powerful. So how do you identify them (and how can you use them)? Most power words possess at least one of the five qualities. They are:
- Unique
- Action-Driven
- Descriptive
- Inflammatory
- Surprising
Take a look at these two words:
- Event
- Scam
The first word is quite mundane. This could be used to refer to anything from a four-car pileup along the highway to a concert with your favorite musician. However, the second word immediately triggers a response.
Although you don’t know the details of the scam or the victims, you can feel the emotion just by looking at it.
Let’s now put it in context by using a headline.
“Investment Scam Obtains Millions of Dollars from Retirees”
Although it’s not a news headline, you get the idea. We now have a clickable headline, because we used multiple power words in context. You’re most likely looking at a powerful word if your word matches one of the five characteristics we mentioned.
To evoke the most emotion, you need to be able to identify where and how to use those words. This is not always easy, becazse we are constantly exposed to a lot of words as consumers, whether we are reading emails, social media feeds and so on.
By evoking emotion, power words can help you bring about action. They make readers feel something viscerally so that they are compelled to act.
However, there are many emotions. Marketing copy that is well written should make readers feel certain emotions, which will motivate them to take immediate action.
The most powerful words can trigger emotions such as curiosity, anxiety and excitement. So, which words are the most effective? Below are 200 examples that we will use to illustrate the meaning of power words in relation to specific emotions or situations.
Note that the use of power words dependa on the situation. For example, if you are targeting consumers that are already brand-aware you will want to instill excitement and urgency. They should be able to purchase immediately.
If you are targeting existing consumers, however, your power words must trigger emotions such as curiosity, greed and anger. Although it’s not necessary for the consumer to purchase, you want them to click.
Remember that “power word” can sometimes be misunderstood. It can be used to refer to a phrase rather than a single word, just like “keyword”. A popular power word is “Right Away”, which implies urgency.
Capture Greed
Everybody is greedy. This doesn’t sound nice, and some of you might think of the old 80ies movie Wallstreet (“greed is good”). However, being greedy can make you a better marketer. You might be able capture the greed of your audience by offering a bargain or helping people achieve what they desire.
Here are some of the most powerful words for greed:
1. Save Money
2. Bargain
3. No cost
4. Earn More
5. Learn More
6. Bonus
7. Profit
8. Lucrative
9. Cash
10. It’s affordable
11. Additional
12. Reasonable
13. Budget
14. Marked down
15. Reduction
16. Sale
17. Slashed
You may notice that we have substituted some complex words for simpler ones. For example, “expensive” is more appealing than “cheap.” Because “cheap” implies poor quality.
Inspire Curiosity
Children are curios be default and they keep asking you costantly why things work a certain way. It is something grown ups also share and we all desire to satisfy it. Did you ever wonder why Google’s search engine was such a success? Because among other things it helped to satisfy curiosity.
For a second, think about curiosity. This is what motivated you to start your own business, expand your knowledge, and learn new skills. You might have read this article because of it. We humans are wired to investigate anything we read or hear about. We want to learn more.
That instinct can be used to increase your conversions by using power words. Here’s a list of curiosity power words:
18. Secret
19. Unveil
20. Explore
21. Learn
22. Harness
23. Uncover
24. Join
25 Confidential
26. Hidden
27. Insider
28. Private
29. Private
30. Covert
31. Under-The-Radar
32 Clandestine
33. Exclusive
34. Different
All of these words are designed to make people click on what you reveal or share. You must be able to back up what you say.
Evoke Laziness
Sometimes it’s OK to be lazy. Laziness can actually lead to better ways to achieve specific goals. For example, let’s say you are creating a spreadsheet. Do you prefer to input the numbers manually, or do you prefer using shortcut keys to make it quick? Do you prefer to calculate equations or use formulae?
Everyone wins when efficiency meets laziness. People can use power words to help them embrace their laziness, and find better ways to achieve what they want.
There are many power words to describe laziness.
35 Get it done quickly
36. Shortcut
37. Guilt-Free
38. Hack
39. It’s easy
40 Without [Negative Conequences, such as Pain, Time, and Effort]
41 Instantly
42 Reduction
43. You can save time
44 Results
45 Quick
46 Rapid
47. Swift
48 Pronto
49 Snap
50 Accelerated
Consumers’ Lust
Although we often think of lust in terms of romantic love, Merriam-Webster defines it as “an intense yearning” for any kind of desire or craving. A television commercial featuring a handsome man or a beautiful woman helped many people make purchase decisions. A product that promises to increase one’s desireability is also a good choice. Say, for example you want to create an online course for men looking to improve their dating skills. To convince them, you could use lust words.
Some of the most powerful lust words are:
51. Craving
52. Desire
53. Sinful
54. Sexy
55. Covet
56. Yearn
57. Forbidden
58. Sensual
59. Wanton
60. Ache
Appeal to Vanity
No matter how humble or not, everyone has a few flaws when it comes vanity. We all want to be more beautiful, regardless of whether it’s getting fitter, losing weight, changing our hair color, dressing better or any other aspect of improving our physical appearance. This knowledge can be used to your advantage.
Power words that relate to vanity have been used by many successful marketers to sell more products, and this is not limited to the beauty and fitness industry. For instance,
A photographer may want to know how to make self-portraits that are more attractive.
A public speaker may want to appear better when speaking in front of an audience. It is a natural instinct.
Here are some powerful words to appeal to vanity.
61 Beautiful
62 Attractive
63. Legendary
64 Cute
65 Youthful
66 Aglow
67 Alluring
68 Graceful
69 Amazing
70 Exquisite
71. Refined
72. Fair
73. Enticing
74.
75 Amazing
Empower people
You gain trust when you make another person feel powerful. Marketing is well-aware of this. This means that you need to appeal to the self-esteem and power of your target customer. People who feel weak are more likely to avoid buying products.
These are powerful words that can make others feel powerful:
76 Forcing
77. Elevated
78 Supreme
79 Paramount
80 Potent
81 Mighty
82. Able
83 Command
84 Influence
85 Control
86 Prevail
87 Achieved
88 Be the one to conquer
89 Clever
90 Omnipotent
91 Potential
92. Ascend
93 Prestige
94 Upper Hand
Simplify Consumer Life
Everyone wants to be able to achieve the goals they set and obtain what they want. We know it’s not always possible but we are on the hunt for a solution. People will be more likely to buy your product if you suggest that it offers an easier and simpler way of accomplishing a goal. It’s important to use power words that simplify the lives of consumers.
The following are some of the most powerful words that convey simplicity:
95. Simple
96. One-Time
97. Never
98. Ease
99. Accomplish
100. Reduce
101. Cut Down
102. Clarify
103. Save Time
104. Speedy
105. No-Frills
106. Shorten
107. Decipher
108. Decode
109. Unravel
110. Beat
111. Break Down
112. Free Up
113. Relieve
114. Assist
115. Aid
116. Eliminate
117. Control
118. Expedite
Authority
You don’t want your audience to feel inferior but you want to earn their trust in your company and products. When you create marketing materials, it is important to project authority.
You can use power words to refer to third-party statements, as authority often comes from outside sources. You might use power words to introduce a testimonial given by an expert.
Power words add gravitas to statistical data, which immediately increases your authority.
Use power words such as these to make your audience see you business as an authority.
119 Dominate
120 Unparalleled
121 Ideal
122. Proven
123. Scientifically Supported
124 Data
125 Percent
126 Agree
127 There is no doubt
128 Foolproof
129 Guarantee
130 Promise
131 Accurate
132 Definitive
133 True
134 Legit
135. Confirmed
136 Take Action
137 It is unquestionable
138 Actual
139 Absolute
140 Flawless
Sugest Safety
Everybody wants to feel safe, no matter if we’re sleeping at night or trying new sports.
Your customers shouldn’t feel that they are taking a chance by purchasing from you, or trying out your strategies and tips. You should make them feel like you are protecting them by giving them safe and actionable information.
These are some powerful words that can be used to promote safety.
141. Safe
142. Secure
143. Sound
144. Free of Danger
145. Preserve
146. Guard
147. Protect
148. Healthy
148. Smart
150. Cautious
151. No Risk
152. Absolute
153. Sure Thing
154. Unmistakable
155. Genuine
156. Clear
157. Trusted
158. Freedom
159. Haven
160. Retreat
161. Protection
Build Trust
Although it sounds like safety and authority, trust is a completely different concept. Trust is built over time with customers. Therefore, trust-related words should be consistent in your marketing copy and informational products. This is a way to show that people can trust you to keep your promises.
These power words are related to trust:
162. Complete
163. Ultimate
164. Best
165. Super
166. Truly
167. Results
168. Should
169. Superior
170. Worthwhile
171. Advantage
172. Delightful
174. Effective
174. Supported
Ignite Anger
Rage and anger can spark passion and drive action. This is something you might already know if you have ever been angry and taken immediate action.
Although anger can be a negative emotion, the ability to express anger persuasively is not. If you tell someone that someone is exploiting them, for example, they will want to find out who they are and how they can stop it.
Here, trust is built when you offer the solution.
These power words can be used to evoke anger:
175. Rebel
176. Despicable
177. Spiteful
178. Agonizing
179. Hate or Hated
180. Furious
181. Deplorable
182. Untrustworthy
183. Steal
184. Scam
185. Jealous
186. Desperate
187. Vengeful
Engender Fear
It might seem counterintuitive to think that fear can cause anxiety in your audience. You might think that scaring people is a bad thing. But there are many levels of fear. While you don’t want customers to fear for the safety of their lives, a little anxiety can help increase your conversion rates.
Say you you offer online courses on photography. Potential customers may be concerned that their customers and family members might not like your images. Fear-based power words can help you get to that pain point. You can let them know you are sensitive to their anxiety and that you have a solution.
These fear-related power phrases can be used in your marketing copy:
188. Danger
189. Take Advantage
190. Miss Out
191. Lost Opportunity
192. Embarrassing
193. Mistake
194. Panic
195. Threat
196. Abuse
197. Disappointment
198. Cowardly
199. Distressed
200. Inferior
Power words in headlines
You want to grab prospects’ attention quickly when it comes to headlines. This is best done by making the promise upfront.
A boring headline can be spiced up with powerful words. Powerful verbs and adjectives can create momentum and get people clicking. These headlines can be combined with powerful CTAs for an even higher conversion rate.
Let’s look at some examples now that you have 200 power words. These words can be used to increase conversions. Let’s assume that you offer online courses in public speaking. Here are some examples of how power words can be used in headlines, product names and landing pages.
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Beautiful Words
Use powerful words in product names
Use power words when naming products to indicate what the product will do once customers convert. What will you do to enhance the customer’s lives?
A boring product name can be transformed into something that stirs emotions and demands attention with the power words.
The Ultimate Guide to Confident Public Speaker
Public Speaking Success: Clarity, Vision and Focus: How to be a successful public speaker
How to give powerful, painless public speeches
Public Speaking for Insecure Speakers
The Power of Words in Landing Pages
You can use power words in your landing page headlines or body copy. You want landing pages to convert. Don’t miss the chance to sell or gain new subscribers.
You shouldn’t be afraid of A/B testing your selections. Sometimes landing pages don’t work the way you expected them to. You can mix them all and compare the results to see which words work well and which ones don’t.
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The Power of Words: Calls to Action
If you want to grab the click, your call to action (CTA), must be strong. Power words can attract attention and encourage prospects click through, rather than clicking away.
A CTA is shorter than a headline, or similar piece of copy. It is possible to make it longer, but it’s easier to shorten it using quick power words. You can also add commas to power words for a stronger punch.
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Conclusion
Power words are a proven way of increasing conversions for products. We’ve provided 200 power words for you to use in your headlines and product names. You can mix and match as much as you like. Be aware that certain power words can evoke particular emotions and that these emotions may overlap.
Some may work well in subheads and headlines, while others might be more effective in product names or calls to action. To find the best product name or headline, you can A/B-test your options to see which one resonates with your customers.
Your online business won’t skyrocket. Nope. But there is hope.
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