I recall staring at a landing page I created in 2023. The design was perfect, the copy was snappy, but the conversion rate was stuck at a depressing 0.5%. I couldn’t figure it out until I looked at my main button. It just said “Submit.” It was the digital equivalent of a wet handshake. I changed that one word to “Get My Free Plan,” and conversions jumped 40% overnight. That was the moment I realized: how you start a Call to Action isn’t just semantics, it’s a matter of psychology.
The Meat (The Core Value)
Key Takeaways:
Ban “Submit”: Never start a CTA with a word that implies work or surrender.
WIIFM Rule: Always start with the benefit (What’s In It For Me), not the feature.
Power Verbs: Swap passive words like “Click” for active words like “Unlock,” “Discover,” or “Claim.”
Personalize: changing “the” to “your” can increase clicks by over 90%.
How to Start a Call to Action: The Psychology-Backed Formula
The average human attention span in 2026 is shorter than a goldfish’s memory. When a user reaches your button or link, their brain performs a split-second calculation: Is this worth the click?
If your Start a Call to Action (CTA) starts with “Click here” or “Submit,” you are telling them what you want. You need to tell them what they get.
Here is the breakdown of how to start a Call to Action (CTA) that actually drives revenue, based on psychology and current user behavior.
I. The “Benefit-First” Start (The Most Effective)
This is the gold standard. Most businesses write CTAs that describe the logistics (e.g., “Fill out form”). Instead, you should describe the treasure.
-
The Old Way: “Sign Up for Newsletter”
-
The Better Way: “Get Weekly Marketing Tips”
Why it works: It addresses the “WIIFM” (What’s In It For Me) factor immediately. The user sees value before they even finish reading the sentence.
Templates to try:
-
“Start saving…”
-
“Get your free…”
-
“Grow your…”
II. The “Action-Verb” Start (Command Authority)
Weak verbs kill conversions. Words like “Read,” “View,” or “Click” are passive. They feel like homework. You want to use strong, imperative verbs that imply momentum and excitement.
-
The Old Way: “Read the Guide”
-
The Better Way: “Discover the Secrets”
Why it works: Strong verbs trigger a subconscious desire to complete a task. In 2026, when “doom scrolling” is the norm, you need to jolt the user into action.
Power words to use:
-
Unlock: Implies exclusivity.
-
Claim: Implies ownership.
-
Join: Implies community.
-
Build: Implies creation.
III. The “Personal Connection” Start
This is the easiest tweak with the highest ROI. Simply changing the determiner from “a” or “the” to “your” or “my” creates instant possession.
-
The Old Way: “Start A Free Trial”
-
The Better Way: “Start YOUR Free Trial”
-
The Aggressive Way: “Claim MY Spot”
Why it works: It triggers the Endowment Effect. People value things more when they feel they already own them. By saying “Claim your template,” you suggest the template is already theirs, and they just need to pick it up.
IV. The “Low Friction” Start (Objection Handling)
Sometimes, the best way to start a CTA is by answering the user’s biggest fear immediately. Usually, that fear is cost or effort.
-
The Old Way: “Register Now”
-
The Better Way: “Join Free (No Credit Card)”
Why it works: It lowers the barrier to entry. If your user is hesitating because they think it will be hard, start your CTA by assuring them it’s easy.
V. Industry-Specific CTA Starters
One size does not fit all. Here is how to adapt your opening words based on your niche:
For E-commerce:
-
“Shop the sale…” (Urgency)
-
“Add to cart and save…” (Benefit)
-
“Get free shipping on…” (Incentive)
For SaaS / Software:
-
“Start your free trial…” (Low risk)
-
“See it in action…” (Demo)
-
“Upgrade your workflow…” (Result)
For Coaches / Consultants:
-
“Book your strategy call…” (Professional)
-
“Transform your business…” (Visionary)
-
“Join 5,000+ leaders…” (Social Proof)
VI. The “Don’t Do This” List
If you are currently using any of these opening words, change them today:
-
“Submit”: This sounds like you are turning in homework to a teacher. It implies yielding power.
-
“Click Here”: This is “mystery meat” navigation. It tells the user nothing about what happens next, and it’s terrible for accessibility screen readers.
-
“Download”: While okay, it’s often better to say what they are downloading (e.g., “Get the Checklist“).
The Bottom Bun (The Human Connection)
Writing a great Start a Call to Action isn’t about being a master copywriter; it’s about empathy. It’s about looking at your button and asking, “If I were busy, tired, and skeptical, would I click this?”
If the answer is “maybe,” go back to the drawing board. Focus on the value, keep it punchy, and make it personal.
I want to challenge you: Go look at your website’s main button right now. What does it say?
Post your current CTA in the comments, and I’ll give you a quick rewrite to help you boost those clicks!