
Smug bastard maybe, however Mr. Sheen did an excellent job of mixing his madness with nicely concocted random diatribes loaded with energy phrases (some made up) to ignite his notoriety and fame and even launch a world tour. Did you go? Disgrace on you.
Effectively, apparently Charlie Sheen had it proper. Who would have thought “Successful” was the best phrase for him to make use of when he was within the midst of his nervous breakdown/publicity blitz final 12 months?
Successful is a type of phrases that copywriters have designated as a “Energy Phrase.”
And since phrases have the power to attach readers with feelings, savvy advertisers have been secretly (and never so secretly) influencing you by slipping these phrases into their advertising and marketing to create compelling copy.
However, do they work? Possibly. –> Watch the video beneath and determine for your self…


Specialists declare that there’s a finite checklist of phrases that subconsciously seize the eye of a reader and may unleash by no means earlier than seen success, however even the perfect psychology majors who ended up in laptop programming haven’t been in a position to devise a check that isolates and analyzes the true advantage of energy phrases inside the copywriting context.
It’s straightforward sufficient to find out whether or not emotionally charged phrases are extra simply recalled. That’s been confirmed in quite a lot of studies.
However the easiest way to decipher whether or not or not energy phrases make a distinction for you is to change up your content material to incorporate them after which run an A/B check. Check your present boring, drab copy towards a jacked-up power-words model.
Case Examine Instance
Let’s check out a case examine from our pals at Visual Website Optimizer. Their shopper, Scandinavian Outdoor Store, determined to run a cut up check to see if some refined adjustments to their copy would make a distinction. They targeted on their headline which merely learn (in Finnish) “Males’s Clothes.”


The headline right here is sweet and apparent (design-wise) which helps or not it’s a dominant communication space and prime actual property for an A/B check.
How the Check Was Received
Understanding the facility of phrases, the headline was modified to “Order Males’s Clothes simply for cut price costs” (Which I’m positive interprets way more eloquently!) The brand new model, noticed a 127% enhance in conversion charges, just by including a number of key phrases.
Straightforward and cut price are listed on practically each energy phrases checklist. By merely maximizing the facility of this headline the corporate was in a position to sit again and let the earnings roll in. (It doesn’t harm both that it turned a blasé header right into a call-to-action.)
Energy phrase tip
Problem your copywriters to search out worth within the phrases they select. Keep in mind that the descriptive phrases that illicit feelings are those that work. I can assure that phrases suggesting your clients are going to save cash might be efficient. For ecommerce: Assume FREE, SALE, DISCOUNT, CLEARANCE and AFFORDABLE.
Select Your Phrases Rigorously – Video
So why does it matter what phrases we use? As a result of the human mind is wired to react to phrases that encourage motion and conjure up optimistic pictures or feelings. Phrases like fast, enhance, high quality, new, distinctive, thrilling and handy all have an uncanny capability to attract a reader to motion.
This video does an ideal job of capturing the true energy behind the best phrases. Plus it’s Scottish – as am I (Oli) – I feel it’s in Glasgow – so it had additional which means for me.
Phrases can harm too. Utilizing phrases that set off emotions of dishonesty and mistrust may alienate your guests quicker than a HIPPO on an influence journey. The objective is to create a necessity based mostly on concern or avoidance to persuade prospects to purchase, to not make readers uncomfortable and drive them to go away. Sadly, there’s a tremendous line between the 2 that even essentially the most expert copywriters battle with. (And that’s another excuse why A/B testing is SO necessary.)
However, a conglomeration of the best phrases doesn’t imply success is imminent. It’s so simple as Advertising 101: The correct message + The correct individuals + The correct time = Success aka Conversions. And the best message within the net world is totally different than in conventional media. It’s a mixture of good copy, good design and tons of different elements (context, readers’ moods, and so on.) that each one should come collectively completely to compel a reader to take the subsequent step. In any other case, engagements are restricted, conversions sink and bounces skyrocket.
Energy phrase tip
Take heed to the phrases you might be selecting when writing copy. If an influence phrase matches, use it. Steer away from phrases that insinuate uncertainty like attempt, would possibly, perhaps, maybe, and so on. Persons are sensible (nicely, a minimum of a few of them) and can see proper via an organization that’s not sure of itself and its merchandise.
With a easy Google search you could find checklist upon checklist of energy phrases. Most are fairly related, sharing a majority of the phrases. Phrases are highly effective. There isn’t any doubt about it!
So, the subsequent time you might be writing copy take into account including a number of in. Or, when you’re not seeing the conversions you assume it’s best to, run that A/B check to see the place the breakdown happens.
Oh, and did you discover, this submit is chockfull of energy phrases. What number of are you able to uncover?