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Calls to action are the keys to conversion (that feels like a proverb or something), but they don’t exist in a vacuum. For any [quality] piece of content you see online, you’ll never just see a CTA button on an island with no context. Either the button or link itself has clear copy, or the content around it gives the proper context.
See for yourself…that a CTA without surrounding phrases is useless.
And the best part is, marketers are getting more and more creative with their calls to action each year. So, I’m going to share with you the best CTA phrases I’ve collected across the web this year, in the following seven categories:
I’ll be providing screenshots and takeaways for each, but if you want to skip to the full, text-only list, I’ll understand.
NOTE: I’m abandoning proper grammar and doing away with hyphens altogether in this post and I don’t care who knows it.
Before you get wrapped up in the fun, here are some of the key takeaways to pay attention to in the list.
So let’s take a look at these effective call to action phrases that we can learn from and laugh at.
In the name of being forthright, let’s start with the blunt examples.
Brafton’s approach here is plain and simple. No fancy words, super easy to read. This popup for no nonsense content uses no nonsense copy. Success.
What better way to prove you’ll provide no-nonsense info than with a no-nonsense CTA?
Another no-nonsense approach. And very transparent.
Simple, transparent, true. Good stuff.
Sometimes, reliability is all you need for compelling copywriting. Try out using call to action phrases that take the words right out of your readers’ heads (or mouths).
First off, this popup has that blunt approach:
“Our newsletters are basically parenting cheat sheets, delivered to your inbox four times a week.”
I also like the button copy of “Yes! It takes a village.”
But the “no” copy here is what makes you want to click on the CTA button above it:
“No, I get enough unwanted parenting advice.”
I’m not even a parent but I appreciate the “no” copy enough to want to click yes.
In this example, GrowthLab is promoting its email copywriting guide. It reads:
“Don’t have time to read the whole guide right now? No worries. Let me send you a copy so you can read it when it’s convenient for you. Just let me know where to send it (takes 5 seconds).”
“Takes five seconds”…I can hear a person saying it.
The “takes 5 seconds” helps reassure the reader this is a friction-free ask, and the parentheses and casual speak makes it feel like someone’s talking to you.
Here, Optinmonster is trying to get you to get started with their software. The “yes” call to action button reads “Get Started with OptinMonster,” but the “no” button isn’t “no thanks.” Instead, it says “I have a few questions first!” which takes you to a contact page.
It’s generally a rule of thumb to only have one CTA, but it all depends on how important the offer is and where it’s being shown.
If your conversion rates are low, your offer might be too bottom-funnel for the audience of this piece of content. You may want to change the offer to something of a lower commitment. Or try adding an alternative option with a second, less prominent but “safer” call to action phrase like OptinMonster does.
Don’t rush me! I have a few questions first!
OptinMonster uses this approach elsewhere on their site, such as in the example below with a “Get Started” and a “See All Features” call to action placed next to one another.
I mean, who hasn’t said “struggle is real”? It’s wildly overused and yet it somehow is still funny to me when someone says it (most of the time—depends on the person).
Anyway, “struggle” is such a relatable term and “The struggle is over” is a great call to action phrase for that pain point marketing.
Another option would be to have the call to action button say “End the struggle now.”
The struggle is [not real]. It’s over.
Sometimes when Google Analytics can’t (or doesn’t want to…) give you data on a keyword, you’ll see “(not provided)”. It’s v. frustrating. Keyword Hero uses jargon in their call to action phrase, which will attract only its qualified users would understand.
All in all, it’s a creative headline, but “Free Account” could use some more action and specificity to make this a conversion-boosting pop-up.
This display ad by Fiver is simple.
“Need SEO and got no clue where to start? Hire an expert.”
How many times have you said “I have no clue where to start” when seeking help?
Bold copywriting is a surefire way to market with emotion—just make sure it’s on-brand.
I love this one. If you don’t know what a DSP is, this is precisely why you should sign up for DigiDay’s newsletter.
“Awkward” is right up there with “struggle” in terms of relatable words. But it’s the boldness of this call to action that stands out. In its free trial popup offer, Hootsuite says:
“Well this is awkward.
We could have SWORN you were someone who wanted to blow your competition out of the water on social media. Our bad. We’ll just leave this 60-day free trial here for someone else then…”
Our bad, we thought you wanted to be good at your job…
Challenging someone’s decision-making or their commitment to their job? Bold.
This is a clever little play on words, since DueDil (fun name) is an intelligence platform, but this is still a great call to action copywriting tip.
You could leave it at that (You should know better.) or try out a little relief in the end (You should know better…we never charge full price!).
Both a play on words and a bold phrase. I like it!
Doesn’t get much bolder’nat.
Talk about a motivating call to action.
But you don’t have to be the U.S Air Force to use this call to action phrase.
Maybe your buyer persona is a young professional in a cutthroat industry. Maybe they’re athletes or fitness fanatics. With some visual or textual context, this could be a great call to action button or phrase.
Nothing revolutionary here. A solid show of confidence with a bold touch.
“See for yourself” may not be creative, but it’s classic and effective.
Similar or supplementing phrases might include
The nature of this call to action phrase isn’t really bold, but it’s a bold move to use this copy in your call to action.
Pain point targeting taken to the next level.
Another bold approach, this time by Sleeknote.
“Wow, we were sure you’d want this…
Because you look like someone who likes to stay one step ahead of the competition.”
Trivialize something about your reader but make it so completely obvious that it’s playful.
Providing something that your audience won’t get anywhere else gives the offer added appeal, but be selective with this phrase. Deliver on your promise.
“You won’t get anywhere else” is strong…just deliver on your promise!
Confession: these call to action phrases aren’t outwardly entertaining, but they’re simple tweaks that stuck out to me and that I think we can learn from.
Instead of [potentially] intimidating or scaring users away with CTA button text, make things more simple. In the example below, instead of asking the user to start the entire course, this CTA invites the user to just start with the first lesson, which feels much easier.
“Take a bite” is a lot more doable than “consume the entire meal,” no matter how delicous.
And this can work for any type of long-form content you are promoting—such as with “Start the first chapter,” or “Watch the first video.”
While “register” wouldn’t be my first pick for words here (I’d go for something a little more friendly like “sign up,” there’s something about this call to action phrase that I appreciate. The “more info” kind of lets me know that I’m not locked into anything. Plus, there’s a slight curiosity factor. What more info is there to know?
Plus, it keeps the popup clean and attractive.
Thank you for not cramming every detail about the webinar into a three inch box.
In my opinion, I think this is a really smart option when you’re offering any sort of free assessment, consultation, or audit.
There’s nothing wrong with “book now” or “schedule now,” but what does that mean? If you click on it, are you submitting your contact information and then someone will be reaching out to you within 24 hours? Will you be given a number or email address to contact in order to schedule it?
“Check availability” tells me that I can reserve a spot online (convenient), and without actually having to interact with anyone just yet.
“Check availability” gives a lot more information than “book now.”
Note: I think this site means to say “scheduling” instead of setting.
You can create a free account on Slideban. Signup is easy, but what I like about this call to action example is that it adds a touch of actionability as well as convenience. Instead of asking me to “Submit,” it’s asking me to “Start using Slidebean,” which could make a difference! It also implies I’ll be able to get started right away.
Well don’t just [submit] there, do something.
Sometimes, plastering “FREE” all over your call to action copy sounds loud and pushy. I kind of like how DX summit saves it for the call to action button. Parentheses are powerful in copywriting, and this simple addition makes “Free” pretty front and center if you ask me.
Sometimes, a gentle “(free)” speaks louder than “FREE WEBINAR!” all up in your face.
Sometimes it’s the no button that prompts a user to click on the yes button. Or if not, the creativity of the no button at least gives you a memorable impression of that brand. Let’s take a look at some examples
This “no” call to action button is pretty standard. “No, I don’t want to grow my business” is a good way to imply the value of the offer.
This call to (no) action phrase is a bit more effective, reminding the reader that they’re putting more work on themselves if they don’t seize this opportunity.
Another creative call to action example for newsletter signup. The “no” is used to describe the value of the core value (free insights) of the newsletter—and a reminder that you’re a fool to pass up something free.
Putting into words that your reader is passing up free insights can have an effect.
I like this one because instead of saying “I don’t want” something, it’s taking it to the opposite extreme, saying that you desire the pain point.
This popup is promoting a 30-day health program for women, promising to improve energy levels. The headline is a question “Hi, want to dramatically increase your energy in just 30 days?”
Then you have a YES button or a “No thanks, I love being exhausted.”
“I love being exhausted” has more tang than “I don’t want to increase my energy.”
These aren’t necessarily call to action phrases you’ll want to steal, but they can give you inspiration for coming up with your own funny ones.
Really Good Emails sends out a creative newsletter and for their additional reading, their button for “read more” says “click it or crickets.”
It’s fun, rolls off the tongue, but it also kind of has a different feel to it. Like they’re giving me the power to reject them. But they don’t really care if I do.
Take it or leave it. Either way, we rock.
This call to action phrase doesn’t exactly scream conversion rate optimization, but that’s not what Trader Joe’s is going for here. They picked a fun national day to celebrate and then created a call to action button with a punny phrase. Very on-brand.
Note: Banana Day is just one of many national days in April. Get all of them in our April marketing ideas post!
“Add to diaper bag” is not the most versatile call to action phrase in the world, but it does spark ideas for fun alternatives to “add to cart.”
What can you replace diaper bag with? Suitcase? Briefcase? Must-do list?
This popup—for “8 things to know about building a design portfolio”—needs some clarification. I dont know if this is an ebook, webinar, blog post, or what. And “cat GIFs on every page” feels better suited for an “8 reasons” title—unless maybe they’re saying this guide has cat GIFS on every page? But the “1” in the button tells me it’s giving me the first item in the list…
Like I said…needs clarity but I still like the ideas this inspires.
Make your CTA phrase the first (funny, or clearly not true but funny nonetheless) reason to get the offer.
As stated above, the surrounding content should speak more to the button for it to be effective, but the creativity and the fun is there.
The rest of these call to action phrases and examples aren’t exactly entertaining or super-unique, but still just different enough to be noticeable.
This is for a certification course for product marketing managers. It calls you to “Join 2,500+ PMMs and your product marketing game.” The copy has an authoritative encouraging feel to it, making “Ok, let’s do this,” a fitting CTA button phrase.
There’s a lot going on here in this popup. “Free membership” is referring to their daily, weekly, and other newsletters so that’s confusing. BUT I do like the switch-up to “Get inspired” instead of “Sign up” or “Subscribe.”
Being concise and specific is one of my many tips on how to write copy that sells. “Improve your writing” has more action and conveys more value than “Start now” or “Get started today.”
Another example of indicating the value of the offer right in the CTA button.
“Grab your copy” feels quicker than “Download the handbook.”
This isn’t anything super creative but it’s something that I appreciate. The button could say “refer friend” but instead, it says “get invite link.” Even though the process is outlined clearly above (an excellent use of psychology in copywriting), the button copy at the end reassures them that clicking on it doesn’t send anything to anyone.
A nice little reminder that clicking this button doesn’t send anything to anyone.
Just a fun example of a call to action button using rhyming. In this case, the button isn’t conversion-critical, but more of a way to express Trader Joe’s brand voice.
And that’s it! Use these call to action phrases so you can get more clicks and conversions in a clever way that your audience will appreciate.
And as promised, here’s the full list:
To close off, I’m sharing the list of the examples we covered above so you can see them all at once, with a few additional phrases to try out.
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