The “Brain Dump” method to writing headlines

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writing-subject-lines

Ever open a blank doc and your brain freezes at the first line? That’s normal. Great headline writers don’t wait for genius—they outwrite it. They throw down 20 ugly drafts, then polish the winner.

The Iteration Trick

That image is the process in action: a cursor blinking, ideas flying, rewrites happening. The key isn’t perfection—it's motion. Each new line flexes your creativity muscle until one finally slaps.

Why It Works

  • Writing fast kills overthinking
  • Quantity creates clarity
  • Testing shows what truly grabs attention
  • Tiny tweaks can multiply clicks

Examples

  • BuzzFeed tests 20+ headlines per post
  • Morning Brew A/B tests subject lines daily
  • YouTube creators swap thumbnails and titles constantly
  • Copyhackers writes 25 versions before picking one

Good headlines aren’t born—they’re iterated.

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