Quote:
Originally Posted by Phil
Make sure you Visit and Read Daily... Can't beat the FREE News for Trends.. Ideas and Opportunities... 
“Drudge’s advertising agency recently claimed that the site enjoys 360 million monthly pageviews and 10 million unique visitors a month. That might lead Drudge to conclude that the site is worth anywhere from $40 million (using unique visitors) to $86.4 million (using ad revenue from pageviews).”
http://blogs.journalism.co.uk/editor...-report-worth/
http://www.drudgereport.com/ |
I love the Drudge Report! And one reason why is because...
I think he sometimes writes GREAT headlines! Sometimes he just reproduces the original, but when he rewrites it, they're often much better than the original headlines of the articles he links to...
And of course, this is very relevant to marketing... Since you have to be able to get people to read (or listen) to what you have to say!
Here are a sample of what I mean...
* * *
Drudge headline:
HILLARY SNAFU: Supporters urged to caucus -- 11 days late!
Original headline:
Clinton supporters urged to caucus ... 11 days late
Comment: Adding "Hillary Snafu" really adds drama!
* * *
Drudge headline:
Ron Paul Unleashed On MEET THE PRESS...
Original headline:
Paul Defends Asking for Special Projects
Comment: The original headline is boring and dreary, while the Drudge headline puts into your mind a snarling, attack dog ("unleashed")....
* * *
Drudge headline:
DOWD: IT'S ALL ABOUT BILL... (with a picture of Hillary Clinton)
Original headline:
Savior or Saboteur?
Comment: The original headline is vague - you have no idea what topic it's about without going on to read the first paragraph. The Drudge headline, with it's picture, makes it clear that the article is all about the Clintons, and adds drama by suggesting that Bill Clinton is drawing attention to himself, away from Hillary...
* * *
Drudge headline:
...Naked Man Arrested After Ax Attack
Original headline:
Crawford Co. Man Arrested for Ax Attack
Comment: The original headline is dramatic, but the Drudge headline, adding the word "Naked", makes it doubly dramatic! You're not only asking, "why did he perform an ax attack", but you also ask, "why the &#@%! was he naked?!"
* * *
Drudge headline:
65 MILLION ON THE MOVE
Original headline:
AAA Predicts Small Increase in Travel During Holiday Season
Comment: The original headline emphasizes how "undramatic" the "news" is... ho hum... On the other hand, the Drudge headline instead brings out the drama in the news! (Even if the numbers are similar to last year.)
* * *
Drudge headline:
Obama: Bill Clinton advisers prefer me...
Original headline:
Dems duel over foreign policy advisers
Comment: Original is ho-hum. Drudge headline is more specific and adds conflict between Obama and the Clintons!
* * *
Drudge headline:
Putin's Judo Maneuvers Now on Video...
Original headline:
Putin's Defense Maneuvers Now on Video
Comment: "Defense Maneuvers" is vague so it's hard to picture - I think of tanks with this headline, not martial arts. While "Judo Maneuvers" is more specific and paints a much better mental picture. I can just picture Putin in his judo clothes, in some sort of martial-arts stance!
* * *
Drudge headline:
SPACE RACE: Rocket launched; carries satellite to guide weapons...
Original headline:
Rocket launched into space; carries satellite to guide weapons
Comment: Adding the words "SPACE RACE" adds drama!
* * *
Drudge headline:
SANTA KNOCKED OUT IN SPOKANE...
Original headline:
Thrown Object Knocks Out Santa
Comment: The Drudge version of the headline brings to my mind a "knockout" boxing match, with Santa in one corner of the boxing ring! It also has some "catchy" alliteration, with the repeated "S" sounds in "Santa" and "Spokane"...
* * *
So, in short, sometimes I read the Drudge Report just to enjoy the dramatic headlines. Being able to write dramatic, attention-getting headlines is also critical in direct-response marketing too! Maybe that's partly a secret to his success?
Here's where you can find an archive of the last week's Drudge Report headlines...
http://www.drudgereportarchives.com/dsp/links_recap.htm
Cheers
Dien