Words of Power: Difference between revisions
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Furthermore, practitioners should be mindful of the potential consequences of their actions and the ethical ramifications of manipulating metaphysical energies. Ultimately, the ethical use of Words of Power requires a deep understanding of magical ethics and a commitment to using magic for the highest good of all. | Furthermore, practitioners should be mindful of the potential consequences of their actions and the ethical ramifications of manipulating metaphysical energies. Ultimately, the ethical use of Words of Power requires a deep understanding of magical ethics and a commitment to using magic for the highest good of all. | ||
= Becoming a Wordcaster = | = Becoming a [[Wordcaster]] = | ||
When a character gains the ability to cast spells from a class, he must decide whether to become a wordcaster or a normal spellcaster in that class. Once made, this choice cannot be changed. A character who elects to be a wordcaster in a spellcasting class typically cannot use the spells of that class (though there are feats that allow a wordcaster to learn and use a limited number of spells; see Word Caster Feats), but he can utilize spell trigger and spell completion items just as if he were an ordinary spellcaster of that class. | When a character gains the ability to cast spells from a class, he must decide whether to become a wordcaster or a normal spellcaster in that class. Once made, this choice cannot be changed. A character who elects to be a wordcaster in a spellcasting class typically cannot use the spells of that class (though there are feats that allow a wordcaster to learn and use a limited number of spells; see Word Caster Feats), but he can utilize spell trigger and spell completion items just as if he were an ordinary spellcaster of that class. | ||
== Words of Power in the World == | == Words of Power in the World == | ||
Words of power represent a primal form of magic used in ages past. As such, use of the words of power system is rare these days, and its practitioners tend to be masters of esoteric lore. Words of power constitute a root system, from which all modern magic descends. Although powerful, this system is more primitive in some ways than modern magic. Flexible, but lacking the refinement of modern spells, this system allows spellcasters to shape magic in ways they never could before, while simultaneously preventing them from producing the same sort of incredibly specific effects that ordinary spellcasters master. It is not surprising that most magical institutions and centers for learning treat words of power as an archaic art, to be studied along with other historical matters, but not actually practiced. Those who delve into the lore of words of power often find themselves lost in an ancient art that they alone might now know. There is power there, but each wordcaster must find it alone. | Words of power represent a primal form of magic used in ages past. As such, use of the words of power system is rare these days, and its practitioners tend to be masters of esoteric lore. Words of power constitute a root system, from which all modern magic descends. Although powerful, this system is more primitive in some ways than modern magic. Flexible, but lacking the refinement of modern spells, this system allows spellcasters to shape magic in ways they never could before, while simultaneously preventing them from producing the same sort of incredibly specific effects that ordinary spellcasters master. It is not surprising that most magical institutions and centers for learning treat words of power as an archaic art, to be studied along with other historical matters, but not actually practiced. Those who delve into the lore of words of power often find themselves lost in an ancient art that they alone might now know. There is power there, but each wordcaster must find it alone. | ||
== Learning Words of Power == | |||
== | For a wordcaster, learning new words of power is akin to unlocking the secret laws of reality. Each word represents a new source of power that falls under the wordcaster’s control. Words of power fall into three | ||
=== Categories === | |||
* Target Words | |||
* Effect Words | |||
* Meta Words | |||
Wordcasters arrange these words of power to cast powerful and diverse incantations known as wordspells. It should come as no surprise that most wordcasters obsessively learn as many words of power as their minds can comprehend. | |||
Regardless of class, each wordcaster begins play knowing all of the target words—even those that they cannot yet use due to the level restriction—as well as the boost meta word. These words are learned as part of their most basic training. For arcane casters using a spellbook, formula book, or familiar, these words do not have a cost to scribe and take up one page each. In addition to the basic allotment, each wordcaster also begins play knowing a number of effect and meta words equal to the number of spells they would normally be allowed to know at 1st level, and gain additional words at the normal rate. Wordcasters select effect words from the word lists associated with their class. For each class, use the following guidelines. | Regardless of class, each wordcaster begins play knowing all of the target words—even those that they cannot yet use due to the level restriction—as well as the boost meta word. These words are learned as part of their most basic training. For arcane casters using a spellbook, formula book, or familiar, these words do not have a cost to scribe and take up one page each. In addition to the basic allotment, each wordcaster also begins play knowing a number of effect and meta words equal to the number of spells they would normally be allowed to know at 1st level, and gain additional words at the normal rate. Wordcasters select effect words from the word lists associated with their class. For each class, use the following guidelines. | ||
Revision as of 02:39, 21 February 2024
Words of Power: Unleashing Magical Energy
Words of Power are a fundamental aspect of magical practice, believed to possess inherent mystical properties that can influence the world around us. In essence, these words serve as conduits for channeling magical energy, allowing practitioners to manifest their intentions and desires through incantations and spells.
Most spellcasters spend their entire careers learning and mastering the spells that make up their calling, but there is another way. Some turn their backs on the rote memorization and formulae that traditional spellcasters use to create magic, and instead unlock the power behind the spells themselves, the fundamental building blocks of magic. Such a spellcaster learns the words of power, and through them, learns to control the very forces underlying magic, shaping and wielding them like no other.
While they function in much the same way as every other spellcaster, words of power spellcasters (or wordcasters, as they tend to call themselves) have a great deal of flexibility in how they prepare and cast their spells, which they call wordspells. Each wordcaster learns a number of words of power and, with some restrictions, can combine these words to create any effect he can dream up.
Categories
- Fear Power Words
- Encouragement Power Words
- Lust Power Words
- Anger Power Words
- Greed Power Words
- Safety Power Words
- Forbidden Power Words
Origins and History
The origins of Words of Power can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where they were revered as sacred symbols imbued with divine significance. Throughout history, various cultures and magical traditions have developed their own lexicons of Words of Power, each with its unique meanings and associations.
In ancient Egypt, for example, hieroglyphs were considered Words of Power, believed to hold the essence of gods and goddesses. Similarly, in medieval Europe, Latin incantations were commonly used by practitioners of alchemy and mysticism to invoke supernatural forces.
Properties and Usage
Words of Power are believed to possess specific vibrational frequencies that resonate with the underlying energies of the universe. When spoken or written with focused intention, these words can manipulate these energies to bring about desired outcomes.
The effectiveness of Words of Power often depends on factors such as the clarity of intent, the skill of the practitioner, and the alignment of the words with natural forces and metaphysical principles. Additionally, the language, tone, and rhythm used in the recitation of Words of Power can enhance their potency.
Examples of Words of Power
Words of Power can encompass a wide range of terms, from simple commands to elaborate incantations.
Classic Examples
- "Abracadabra": A commonly recognized word used in stage magic, believed to originate from Aramaic and associated with the concept of creation and manifestation.
- "Avada Kedavra": A fictional spell from the Harry Potter series, representing the ultimate expression of dark magic and death.
- "Om": A sacred mantra in Hinduism and Buddhism, symbolizing the primordial sound of the universe and the essence of consciousness.
Ethical Considerations
While Words of Power can be potent tools for manifestation and transformation, they also carry ethical implications. Practitioners must exercise caution and responsibility in their use of Words of Power, ensuring that their intentions align with principles of harmlessness, integrity, and respect for free will.
Furthermore, practitioners should be mindful of the potential consequences of their actions and the ethical ramifications of manipulating metaphysical energies. Ultimately, the ethical use of Words of Power requires a deep understanding of magical ethics and a commitment to using magic for the highest good of all.
Becoming a Wordcaster
When a character gains the ability to cast spells from a class, he must decide whether to become a wordcaster or a normal spellcaster in that class. Once made, this choice cannot be changed. A character who elects to be a wordcaster in a spellcasting class typically cannot use the spells of that class (though there are feats that allow a wordcaster to learn and use a limited number of spells; see Word Caster Feats), but he can utilize spell trigger and spell completion items just as if he were an ordinary spellcaster of that class.
Words of Power in the World
Words of power represent a primal form of magic used in ages past. As such, use of the words of power system is rare these days, and its practitioners tend to be masters of esoteric lore. Words of power constitute a root system, from which all modern magic descends. Although powerful, this system is more primitive in some ways than modern magic. Flexible, but lacking the refinement of modern spells, this system allows spellcasters to shape magic in ways they never could before, while simultaneously preventing them from producing the same sort of incredibly specific effects that ordinary spellcasters master. It is not surprising that most magical institutions and centers for learning treat words of power as an archaic art, to be studied along with other historical matters, but not actually practiced. Those who delve into the lore of words of power often find themselves lost in an ancient art that they alone might now know. There is power there, but each wordcaster must find it alone.
Learning Words of Power
For a wordcaster, learning new words of power is akin to unlocking the secret laws of reality. Each word represents a new source of power that falls under the wordcaster’s control. Words of power fall into three
Categories
- Target Words
- Effect Words
- Meta Words
Wordcasters arrange these words of power to cast powerful and diverse incantations known as wordspells. It should come as no surprise that most wordcasters obsessively learn as many words of power as their minds can comprehend.
Regardless of class, each wordcaster begins play knowing all of the target words—even those that they cannot yet use due to the level restriction—as well as the boost meta word. These words are learned as part of their most basic training. For arcane casters using a spellbook, formula book, or familiar, these words do not have a cost to scribe and take up one page each. In addition to the basic allotment, each wordcaster also begins play knowing a number of effect and meta words equal to the number of spells they would normally be allowed to know at 1st level, and gain additional words at the normal rate. Wordcasters select effect words from the word lists associated with their class. For each class, use the following guidelines.
Fear Power Words
How to Crank Up Emotion with Fear Words
Here’s an example of a blog post headline here at Smart Blogger that utilizes three different fear words:
Open it and you’re greeted by this fear-packed introduction:
I was in agony.
Waves of pain unimaginable shot down my spine, causing every muscle in my body to contract as if I’d been shocked with 20,000 volts of electricity. My back arched up at an unnatural angle. My arms and legs began to shake.
One moment, I was on a webinar talking to a few hundred people about traffic, walking them through exactly how to start a blog and make it popular. The next, everything went dark. I was still conscious, but just barely.
Pretty effective, right?
Here’s another one:
If I’m working from my home office, will I lose my sanity if I don’t read this post? There’s only one way to find out. (Click!)
1. Fear Power Words
Want to sprinkle fear power words into your writing? Here are a bunch to get you started:
| Agony | Lunatic |
| Apocalypse | Lurking |
| Armageddon | Massacre |
| Assault | Meltdown |
| Backlash | Menacing |
| Beating | Mired |
| Beware | Mistake |
| Blinded | Murder |
| Blood | Nightmare |
| Bloodbath | Painful |
| Bloodcurdling | Pale |
| Bloody | Panic |
| Blunder | Peril |
| Bomb | Piranha |
| Buffoon | Pitfall |
| Bumbling | Plague |
| Cadaver | Played |
| Catastrophe | Plummet |
| Caution | Plunge |
| Collapse | Poison |
| Corpse | Poor |
| Crazy | Prison |
| Cripple | Pummel |
| Crisis | Pus |
| Danger | Reckoning |
| Dark | Refugee |
| Deadly | Revenge |
| Death | Risky |
| Deceiving | Scary |
| Destroy | Scream |
| Devastating | Searing |
| Disastrous | Shame |
| Doom | Shatter |
| Drowning | Shellacking |
| Dumb | Shocked |
| Embarrass | Silly |
| Fail | Slaughter |
| Feeble | Slave |
| Fired | Strangle |
| Fool | Stupid |
| Fooled | Suicide |
| Frantic | Tailspin |
| Frightening | Tank |
| Gambling | Targeted |
| Gullible | Teetering |
| Hack | Terror |
| Hazardous | Terrorist |
| Hoax | Torture |
| Holocaust | Toxic |
| Horrific | Tragedy |
| Hurricane | Trap |
| Injure | Vaporize |
| Insidious | Victim |
| Epidemic | Cataclysmic |
| Bufoon | Suffering |
| Reckoning | Trauma |
| Dangerous | Annihilate |
| Invasion | Volatile |
| IRS | Vulnerable |
| Jail | Warning |
| Jeopardy | Nerd |
| Lawsuit | Wounded |
| Looming | Cringeworthy |
| Last chance | Fugacious |
| Worry | Wreaking havoc |
Encouragement Power Words
Let’s face it.
When they’re reading, most people aren’t exactly bouncing off the walls with energy and enthusiasm. They’re probably bored, maybe a little depressed, and almost definitely tired.
And they’re looking for something, anything, that’ll wake them up and make them feel better.
The good news?
Your writing can do that for them.
How to Crank Up Emotion with Encouragement Words
Here’s an example email from Mirasee:
With two encouraging words — life-changing and magic — in one email subject line, it’s a message that stands out in most inboxes.
Want to give your readers a pep talk and get them charged up again? Want to encourage them?
2. Encouragement Power Words
Use these persuasive words and adjectives:
| Amazing | Jubilant |
| Ascend | Legend |
| Astonishing | Life-changing |
| Astounding | Magic |
| Audacious | Marvelous |
| Awe-inspiring | Master |
| Awesome | Mind-blowing |
| Backbone | Miracle |
| Badass | Miraculous |
| Beat | Noble |
| Belief | Perfect |
| Blissful | Persuade |
| Bravery | Phenomenal |
| Breathtaking | Pluck |
| Brilliant | Power-up |
| Celebrate | Praise |
| Cheer | Prevail |
| Colossal | Remarkable |
| Command | Revel |
| Conquer | Rule |
| Courage | Score |
| Daring | Seize |
| Defeat | Sensational |
| Defiance | Spectacular |
| Delight | Spine |
| Devoted | Spirit |
| Dignity | Splendid |
| Dominate | Spunk |
| Effortless | Staggering |
| Empower | Strengthen |
| Epic | Striking |
| Excellent | Strong |
| Excited | Stunning |
| Extraordinary | Stunt |
| Eye-opening | Supreme |
| Fabulous | Surprising |
| Faith | Terrific |
| Fantastic | Thrive |
| Fearless | Thwart |
| Ferocious | Titan |
| Fierce | Tough |
| Force | Triumph |
| Fulfill | Tremendous |
| Glorious | Unbeatable |
| Glory | Unbelievable |
| Graceful | Unforgettable |
| Grateful | Unique |
| Grit | Unleash |
| Guts | Uplifting |
| Happy | Valiant |
| Heart | Valor |
| Hero | Vanquish |
| Honor | Victory |
| Hope | Win |
| Incredible | Wonderful |
| Jaw-dropping | Wondrous |
| Kudos | Brighten |
| Lovable | Radiant |
| Flawless | Classy |
| Affable | Stupendous |
| Virtuoso | Cheery |
| Openhearted | Jovial |
| Beauteous | Logophile |
| Adorable |
Lust Power Words
Like it or not, lust is one of the core human emotions.
Just look at the men’s and women’s magazines in the checkout aisle, and you’ll see what I mean. Nearly every headline on the cover is either blatantly or indirectly about sex.
And it works, not just for headlines in men’s and women’s magazines, but for messages to your email list, subheads in your articles, ad copy — anything.
As a writer (or marketer), you can use words that inspire lust to make almost anything intriguing.
How to Crank Up Emotion with Lust Words
See if you can spot the lust words in this headline from Cosmopolitan:
Okay, the orange underlines probably give it away, but my hunch is you didn’t need them.
Power words like captivating and love jump off the page. And if you use them properly, they can stir all sorts of emotions in your readers’ heads. (Want to see your click-through rates soar? Add a lust power word or two.)
3. Lust Power Words
Here’s a lascivious list of descriptive words to get you started:
| Allure | Naughty |
| Arouse | Nude |
| Bare | Obscene |
| Begging | Orgasmic |
| Beguiling | Passionate |
| Brazen | Pining |
| Captivating | Pleasure |
| Charm | Provocative |
| Cheeky | Racy |
| Climax | Raunchy |
| Crave | Risque |
| Delight | Rowdy |
| Delirious | Salacious |
| Depraved | Satisfy |
| Desire | Saucy |
| Dirty | Scandalous |
| Divine | Seduce |
| Ecstasy | Seductive |
| Embrace | Sensual |
| Enchant | Sex |
| Enthralling | Shameless |
| Entice | Sinful |
| Entrance | Sleazy |
| Excite | Sleeping |
| Explicit | Spank |
| Exposed | Spellbinding |
| Fascinate | Spicy |
| Forbidden | Steamy |
| Frisky | Stimulating |
| Goosebumps | Strip |
| Hanker | Sweaty |
| Heavenly | Tantalizing |
| Hottest | Taste |
| Hypnotic | Tawdry |
| Impure | Tease |
| Indecent | Tempting |
| Intense | Thrilling |
| Intoxicating | Tickle |
| Itching | Tight |
| Juicy | Tingle |
| Kinky | Turn on |
| Kiss | Unabashed |
| Lascivious | Uncensored |
| Lewd | Untamed |
| Lick | Untouched |
| Lonely | Urge |
| Longing | Voluptuous |
| Love | Vulgar |
| Pleasurable | Charismatic |
| Riveting | Obsession |
| Mouthwatering | Compelling |
| Magnetic | Enchanting |
| Lovely | Engaging |
| Intriguing | Fascinating |
| Flirt | Alluring |
| Lure | Wanton |
| Luscious | Wet |
| Lush | Whip |
| Lust | Wild |
| Mischievous | X-rated |
| Mouth-watering | Yearning |
| Naked | Yummy |
| Sneak peek | Promiscuous |
Anger Power Words
As writers, sometimes our job is to anger people.
Not for the fun of it, mind you, but because someone is doing something wrong, and the community needs to take action to correct it.
The problem is, with wrongdoing, most people are pretty apathetic — they’ll wait until the situation becomes entirely intolerable to do anything, and by then, it’s often too late.
So, we have to fan the flames.
How to Crank Up Emotion with Anger Words
The authors of this Forbes headline don’t pull any punches:
I didn’t realize some people get angry over business jargon, but apparently it’s a thing. And this headline, undoubtedly, had such people frothing at the mouth.
If you want to connect with people’s anger and slowly but surely work them into a frenzy, use the power words below.
Just be careful who you target. Lawyers can eat you alive if you pick on the wrong person. 🙂
4. Anger Power Words
| Abhorrent | Money-grubbing |
| Abuse | Nasty |
| Annoying | Nazi |
| Arrogant | No good |
| Ass kicking | Obnoxious |
| Backstabbing | Oppressive |
| Barbaric | Pain in the ass |
| Bash | Payback |
| Beat down | Perverse |
| Big mouth | Pesky |
| Blatant | Pest |
| Brutal | Phony |
| Bullsh*t | Pissed off |
| Bully | Pollute |
| Cheat | Pompous |
| Clobber | Pound |
| Clown | Preposterous |
| Cocky | Pretentious |
| Corrupt | Punch |
| Coward | Punish |
| Crooked | Rampant |
| Crush | Ravage |
| Curse | Repelling |
| Debase | Repugnant |
| Defile | Revile |
| Delinquent | Revolting |
| Demolish | Rotten |
| Desecrate | Rude |
| Disgusting | Ruined |
| Dishonest | Ruthless |
| Distorted | Savage |
| Evil | Scam |
| Exploit | Scold |
| Force-fed | Sick and tired |
| Foul | Sink |
| Freaking out | Slam |
| Full of sh*t | Slander |
| Greedy | Slap |
| Gross | Slay |
| Harass | Smash |
| Hate | Smear |
| High and mighty | Smug |
| Horrid | Sniveling |
| Infuriating | Snob |
| Jackass | Snooty |
| Kick | Snotty |
| Kill | Spoil |
| Knock | Stuck up |
| Knock out | Suck |
| Know it all | Terrorize |
| Lies | Trash |
| Livid | Trounce |
| Loathsome | Tyranny |
| Loser | Underhanded |
| Lying | Up to here |
| Maul | Useless |
| Broke | Stink |
| Fear | Raise hell |
| Sneaky | Screw |
| Rant | Miff |
| Diatribe | Vicious |
| Weak | Diminish |
| Provoke | Hostile |
| Morally bankrupt | Worst |
| Thug | B.S. |
| Agitate | Boil over |
| Annoy | Violent |
| Misleading | Violate |
| Lollygag | Quixotic |
Greed Power Words
The legendary copywriter Gary Halbert once said, “If you want people to buy something, stomp on their greed glands until they bleed.” Graphic, yes, but also true.
Skim through good digital marketing campaign copy on an e-commerce site, and you’ll find a lot of power words based on vanity or greed. Many of them are so overused they’ve become cliché, but that doesn’t stop them from working.
The truth is, nearly every human being on the planet is interested in making money (or saving money).
How to Crank Up Emotion with Greed Words
Its explicit and implicit use of greed words makes this popular book from Dave Ramsey a great example:
“Money” is hard to miss — it’s probably the ultimate greed word and it’s sitting there in capital letters.
But a title like “Total Money Makeover” also implies another greed word (even though it doesn’t directly state it): money-saving.
(It also gets bonus points for using alliteration and the safety power word “proven”, which we’ll discuss in a moment.)
5. Greed Power Words
If you want to stomp (which is also an excellent example of onomatopoeia, by the way) on your readers’ greed glands, use these power words:
| Bank | Jackpot |
| Bargain | Lowest price |
| Best | Luxurious |
| Billion | Marked down |
| Bonanza | Massive |
| Booked solid | Money |
| Cash | Money-draining |
| Cheap | Money-saving |
| Costly | Nest egg |
| Discount | Pay zero |
| Dollar | Prize |
| Double | Profit |
| Explode | Quadruple |
| Extra | Reduced |
| Feast | Rich |
| Fortune | Savings |
| Don’t miss out | Fast |
| Giveaway | While they last |
| Instantly | Expires |
| Never again | Premiere |
| Final | More |
| Hurry | Sale ends soon |
| Value | Monetize |
| Big | Save |
| New | Deadline |
| Handsome | Noteworthy |
| Kick ass | Moneymaking |
| Knockout | Lucky |
| Notable | Amplify |
| At the top | Attractive |
| Wealthy | Ahead of the game |
| Legendary | Beautiful |
| Optimal | Good-looking |
| Successful | Bold |
| Fortunate | Sassy |
| Smart | Elegant |
| Gorgeous | Clever |
| Foxy | Quick-witted |
| Genius | Effective |
| Elite | Drop-dead |
| Crowned | Dazzling |
| You | Turbo charge |
| Bright | Super-human |
| Brassy | Booming |
| Boss | Unbeaten |
| Undefeated | Boost |
| Exclusive / Exclusivity | Frugal |
| Special | Price break |
| Before | Running out |
| Upsell | Bonus |
| Free | Six-figure |
| Freebie | Skyrocket |
| Frenzy | Soaring |
| Prosperous | Surge |
| Gift | Treasure |
| Golden | Triple |
| Greatest | Waste |
| High-paying | Wealth |
| Inexpensive | Whopping |
| Cheat sheet |
Safety Power Words
Greed isn’t the only emotion you want buyers to feel. You also want to make them feel safe.
They need to trust both you and your product or service. They need to have confidence you’ll deliver, and they need to believe they’ll get results.
Of course, building that kind of trust starts with having a quality brand and reputation, but the words you use to describe yourself and your product or service also matter.
How to Crank Up Emotion with Safety Words
On the landing page for one of our Smart Blogger courses, we use power words to make sure our potential customers feel safe:
In addition to “legitimate” and “guaranteed” in the screenshot above, our landing page is sprinkled with numerous safety words:
- Money-back
- Results
- Refund
- Proven
- Risk-free
They work for us, and they can work for you.
6. Safety Power Words
Help your customers feel safe by using as many of these power words as possible:
| Above and beyond | Privacy |
| Anonymous | Professional |
| Authentic | Protected |
| Automatic | Proven |
| Backed | Recession-proof |
| Bankable | Refund |
| Best-selling | Reliable |
| Cancel anytime | Research |
| Certified | Results |
| Clockwork | Risk-free |
| Endorsed | Rock-solid |
| Foolproof | Science-backed |
| Guaranteed | Scientific |
| Moneyback | Bona fide |
| Recognized | Authority |
| Studies show | Because |
| Scientifically proven | Genuine |
| Worldwide | Authoritative |
| Safety | Accredited |
| Fully refundable | Case study |
| Well respected | Dependable |
| Improved | Ensured |
| Expert | According to |
| Track record | Approved |
| Ironclad | Secure |
| Legitimate | Sure-fire |
| Lifetime | Survive |
| Money-back | Tested |
| No obligation | That never fails |
| No questions asked | Thorough |
| No risk | Trustworthy |
| No strings attached | Try before you buy |
| No-fail | Unconditional |
| Official | Verify |
| Permanent | World-class |
| Guilt-free | Don’t worry |
Forbidden Power Words
Remember when you were a kid, and someone told you NOT to do something? From that point on, you could think about little else, right? Curiosity always got the better of us.
The truth is, we’re all fascinated by the mysterious and forbidden. It’s like it’s programmed into our very nature.
So why not tap into that programming?
How to Crank Up Emotion with Forbidden Words
This Ahrefs article tempts you with its headline:
What’s the “secret”? Only one way to find out.
7. Forbidden Power Words
Whenever you want to create curiosity, sprinkle these powerful curiosity words throughout your writing, and readers won’t be able to help being intrigued:
| Ancient | Lost |
| Backdoor | Never seen before |
| Banned | Off the record |
| Behind the scenes | Off-limits |
| Black Market | Outlawed |
| Blacklisted | Private |
| Bootleg | Restricted |
| Censored | Sealed |
| Remote | Be the first |
| Ridiculous | Become an insider |
| Secrets | Bizarre |
| Shocking | Class full |
| Ssshhh!!! | Closet |
| Spoiler | Elusive |
| Supersecret | Hilarious |
| Thought-provoking | Illusive |
| Top secret | Incredibly |
| Trade secret | Insane |
| Uncharted | Interesting |
| Unconventional | Invitation only |
| Undiscovered | Key |
| Unexplained | Login required |
| Unexplored | Members only |
| Unheard of | Myths |
| Unsung | Odd |
| Untold | On the QT |
| Unusual | Priceless |
| Wacky | Privy |
| Zany | Psycho |
| Classified | Secret |
| Cloak and dagger | Smuggled |
| Concealed | Strange |
| Confessions | Tried to hide |
| Confidential | Unauthorized |
| Controversial | Uncensored |
| Covert | Under wraps |
| Cover-up | Undercover |
| Exotic | Underground |
| Forbidden | Under-the-table |
| Forgotten | Undisclosed |
| From the vault | Unexpected |
| Under the table | Unlock |
| Hush-hush | Unreachable |
| Illegal | Unspoken |
| Insider | Unveiled |
| Little-known | Withheld |
| Hidden |
Now that we’ve looked at the different types of power words (and gone over a few quick examples), let’s go over all the different places you can use them:
Powerful Words in Action: 14 Places Where Strong Words Can Help You
- Headlines
- Subheads
- Email Subject Lines
- Opt-In Boxes
- Homepage
- Business Names/Blog Names
- Product Names
- Sales Pages
- Testimonials
- Bullet Lists
- Button Copy (Call to Action Words)
- Author Bios
- YouTube Videos
- Book Titles
1. Using Power Words in Headlines
Any writer or blogger who’s been in the game for a while knows the headline is the most important part of writing your blog post.
Its purpose, after all, is to entice the reader to read the rest of your content. If your headline fails to get attention, potential readers will ignore it when it shows up in their tweets and social media feeds.
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And just one or two power words in your headline is usually enough to make it stand out.
Just look at this headline from BuzzFeed:
The word choice of “Unveiled” makes it feel like a secret is being exposed, and the word “Breathtaking” makes you curious to see what the photo looks like.
Here’s another example from BoredPanda:
People generally love anything adorable, so this headline will easily catch attention. (The fact that it refers to snakes will only make people more curious.)
The headline then drives it home by using the power verb “Conquer.”
Here’s one from BrightSide:
While one or two power words are often enough, this headline proves you can use more when it fits.
This headline has four powerful words, but they feel natural in the headline, which keeps it from feeling like over-the-top clickbait.
Here’s one from Smart Blogger:
Greed (“best”) and anger (“not-so-good”) words highlight the headline for Smart Blogger’s recent review of SiteGround.
Last one:
This headline from our How to Make Money Writing: 5 Ways to Get Paid to Write in 2024 post incorporates two greed words: “money” and “get paid.”
It’s one of our most popular posts, and its headline’s use of power words is a big reason why.
2. Using Power Words in Subheads
Too many writers overlook the value of subheads, which is a mistake. Once people click on your headline, most will scan the post first to see if it looks worthy of their attention.
Adding some power words to your subheads is a good way to make your post look like an interesting read.
For example, here are three subheads from our post on E-book mistakes:
See how the power words in these subheads grab your attention and make you want to read the text that follows?
Power words can help with SEO too. Adding an SEO power word to your subheads will compel readers to stick around longer, which will increase your dwell time — a big deal in Google’s eyes.
3. Using Power Words in Email Subject Lines
Having an email list is of little use if only a handful of readers bother to open your emails.
And these days, most people’s inboxes are flooded, so they’re selective in which emails they open.
You can stand out in their inbox and raise your open rates by including power words in your subject lines.
Just look at this one from Ramit Sethi:
If this subject line would’ve read “The rules of learning,” do you think it would be as appealing? The powerful word “unspoken” is what makes it interesting.
Here’s another one from Cal Fussman:
Both “Triumph” and “Tragedy” are powerful words full of emotion.
And finally, here’s a good example from AppSumo:
The power phrase “Unleash the power” makes you feel this email is hiding something incredibly powerful inside.
See how that works?
When you send out emails to your list, try to add a strong word to your subject line so it stands out in a prospect’s inbox.
4. Using Power Words in Opt-In Boxes
As a blogger, one of your main goals is to grow a large and engaged readership, and the best way to do it is by converting readers into subscribers.
That means — unless you’re using a blogging platform like Medium which doesn’t allow them — you should have opt-in forms scattered across your website.
You can place them on your homepage, at the end of your posts, in your sidebar, in a popup, or anywhere else.
But no matter where you place them, your opt-in boxes must catch people’s eye and make them want to share their email address with you. Because they won’t give it away to just anyone.
(Remember, their inboxes are already flooded, so they’re not necessarily eager to get even more emails.)
Fortunately, you can use power words to make your offer more enticing.
As an example, here’s an old popup from Cosmopolitan:
This popup had power words everywhere, but it avoided feeling like overkill. I bet it converted like crazy.
Here’s a slightly more subtle example from Betty Means Business:
It’s understated, but still quite effective.
Again, you don’t have to overdo it with the power words on these. A little can go a long way.
Here’s one final example from Renegade Planner:
In short:
If you’re not using power words in your opt-in boxes, you’re missing out.
Big time.
5. Using Power Words on Your Homepage
Your homepage is the face of your website and it’s usually one of the most visited pages. Many people who visit your website will see this page first, so you want it to make a good first impression.
Some people use their homepage to promote their email list, others use it to promote one of their products, and others use it as a red carpet — welcoming new visitors and explaining what their site is all about.
In any case, your homepage is a good spot to add a few power words, as it can determine whether people stay (and take the action you want them to take) or leave (never to return).
Look at this value proposition on the homepage for Nerd Fitness:
“Nerds,” “Misfits,” and “Mutants” are unusual power words that work well for Nerd Fitness’ target audience. These words immediately separate it from all the other fitness blogs out there.
But they push it even further with “Strong,” “Healthy,” and “Permanently.”
Here’s another value proposition from MainStreetHost’s homepage:
It’s quite minimal, isn’t it? They just wrote down three power words and follow it up with a service they provide.
Of course, you don’t have to limit your use of power words to the top of your homepage.
You can use it in other parts of the homepage too, as Ramit Sethi does here in his list of what you’ll get when you sign up for his email list:
Go look at your homepage now and see if you can find any areas you can spruce up with some power words.
6. Using Power Words in Business Names/Blog Names
Having a forgettable name is poison to your website’s growth. So when you start a blog, you want to make sure you have a name people can easily recall.
If you haven’t chosen your blog name yet (or if you’re thinking about rebranding), you should use a SEO power word to give it some punch. The right word will make you stand out from all the boring, forgettable brands out there.
Just take a look at the collection of blog names below and see how well they’ve incorporated power words:
7. Using Power Words in Product Names
Just like you can use power words to spruce up your blog name, you can also use them to make your product names pack more of a punch.
It can make the difference between your potential customers thinking, “Ooh, this product sounds cool!” and them thinking, “Meh.”
Just check out this subscription product from Nerd Fitness:
It has such a powerful name that you’d almost want to sign up without learning anything else about it. Who wouldn’t want to be part of a community of rising heroes?
Here’s another good example from Pat Flynn:
It’s a powerful name for his podcasting course that instantly informs you of the benefit.
So if you’re about to launch a product (or if you’ve launched a product with a tepid name), consider giving it a power word to make it pack a punch.
8. Using Power Words on Sales Pages
You can also use power words to spruce up the copywriting on your sales pages and make them more effective at selling your e-commerce products or services.
They will grab people’s attention when they arrive on the page, they will keep their attention as they scroll down, and they’ll help seduce readers before they reach your “buy” button.
Just look at this headline on Ramit Sethi’s sales page for his product 50 Proven Email Scripts (which also has a power word in its name):
And as you scroll down, you see he keeps using power words throughout his sales page.
His headline is followed by emotion-packed subheads:
And he even uses power words in his guarantee:
9. Using Power Words in Testimonials
Power words are also tremendously effective in testimonials.
Of course, I’m not suggesting you change people’s testimonials to include power words. But you can certainly select the ones that already use them to great effect.
Just look at this example from Betty Means Business:
Or look at this one from Farideh’s blog:
And here’s another example from Renegade Planner:
All these testimonials will lend extra credibility and excitement due to their power words and phrases.
10. Using Power Words in Bullet Lists
Many sales pages include a list of benefits of the product they’re selling. Many opt-in forms include a huge list of reasons you should sign up to their email list. And many case studies use bullet lists to quickly summarize information.
You can use power words in these lists to inspire more excitement in your reader as they read through them.
Here’s one example from Ramit Sethi’s sales page for his How to Talk to Anyone course:
And here’s another example from an opt-in form on Restart Your Style:
Without these power words, these lists wouldn’t convince nearly as many prospects to buy or subscribe.
11. Using Power Words in Button Copy and CTA (Call to Action Words)
Yep, you can use power words in your CTA button copy too — even if you only have a few words you can fit in there.
One of the most common power words used in buttons is “Free” (as in the example below):
But you can be more creative with buttons than you might think.
Takes this button from the sales page for the book The Renegade Diet:
“Immediate,” “Money Back,” and “Guarantee” are all incredibly powerful words, and the author manages to squeeze them all into one button.
Here’s an example from Tim Ferris:
He could’ve used “Send Me the List” as most people would do, but the specific word “Unlock” makes it sound a lot more intriguing — like you’re getting access to something that’s been kept hidden away.
Now take a look at the buttons on your site.
Do you see any opportunities to spruce them up with a power word?
12. Using Power Words in Author Bios
Your author bio is another extremely important part of your marketing.
When you guest post for another blog (or write a paid article as a freelancer), your author bio has the difficult job of making readers want to know more about you so they click through to your site.
That means your author bio needs to spark attention and interest. And you usually only get three sentences, so you need to carefully consider the words you use.
As an example, here’s the author bio from Henneke Duistermaat in her ultimate guide on overcoming writer’s block:
Henneke’s author bio is full of power words. It shows her uniqueness and makes her stand out from other copywriters.
You can tell she has carefully picked each perfect word for maximum impact.
Here’s another example from Sarah Peterson’s post on blog ads:
She opens strong immediately by mentioning her guides are insanely useful. And just the name of her report alone is full of power words: “Free,” “Reveal,” and “Begging.”
Makes you want to get your hands on that report, doesn’t it?
13. Using Power Words on YouTube Videos
If you’re publishing videos on YouTube and you want to get more views, you should use power words in your titles.
All the biggest YouTube channels do this.
They understand most of their views will come from their subscribers finding them in their feeds, and from people finding them in the sidebar of other videos.
In both cases, you’re competing with many other videos for their attention. If you want your video to stand out and be the one they choose to watch, your title has to be captivating.
See how Philip DeFranco does it below:
“Disgusting,” “Punishment,” and “Controversy” are all attention-grabbing words (and that’s besides the attention-grabbing names of Brock Turner, Star Wars, and Kim Kardashian).
Note also how he has capitalized “Disgusting.” It’s another smart trick many YouTube channels use to stand out more in YouTube’s lists of video suggestions.
Style vlogger Aaron Marino often does it as well:
By capitalizing the power words “Don’ts” and “Stupid,” his title catches a lot more attention (as you can see for yourself by the millions of views it’s received).
14. Using Power Words in Book Titles
If you’re interested in writing your own book, adding power words to your titles will help it sell better.
With all the competition in the book market these days, you need a title that grabs people’s attention and makes them want to peek inside.
Here are a few quick grabs from Amazon’s list of bestsellers in the self-help niche:
I’m sure you’ve seen this title before.
You might say Stephen Covey’s use of power words in his title has been highly effective. (See what I did there?)
Here’s another:
Mark Manson’s bestselling title is packed with power.
The power word “Subtle” juxtaposes well with the F-bomb in the title, and his use of “Counterintuitive” will spark some interest as well.
One more:
Lastly, Jen Sincero’s encouraging book title makes you want to flip it open and read it in one go. The use of “Badass” alone will make it stand out in the self-development section, but her use of “Greatness” and “Awesome” in the subtitle truly seals the deal.
