What’s in the headline? I hear you ask… Well, a lot actually… The headline of your content serves as the portal to your world. It should create curiosity and interest and make people want to read your content. If your headline is not compelling and enticing enough, then you are going to lose your readers.
On the other hand, a poor piece of content will not do your killer headline any justice. Your readers will be very disappointed if they find that your content does not carry the momentum created by your amazing headline. They would feel misled and stop reading right away.
Here are some great ways to help you create sizzling headlines that will capture your audience:
1. Use a Question
This strategy creates curiosity and gets the reader interested in the answer that your content will provide. Don’t provide the answer too soon as you want your readers to get engaged and keep reading. Example: Who Else Wants To Grab Top Lead Generation Secrets?
2. Use “How-to”
This strategy works very well. We all want to learn how to do something and there are so many things to learn – learning never stops. People love “how-to” articles. Example: the title of this post is a perfect example, don’t you think?
3. Use Controversy
Only use this strategy if you can back up your claims and don’t overdo it. This will raise interest and attract a lot of eyeballs to your content. However, you could lose your readers if you don’t provide factual information. Example: Free Marketing Strategies Don’t Work or ABC Company is the Biggest Scam Online.
4. Use Emotions
Hit people with the emotions they may be going through. Make them feel the pain that they can’t help it but read your article to find out the solution(s) you’re offering. Example: Still Struggling and Not Making a Dime in Your Business?
5. Use Benefits
People are always looking for the information that holds some promise or benefit. It’s all about the “what’s in it for me” mentality. When using this strategy, you will get people excited and eager to read your content especially if the headline displays multiple benefits. Example: Work 4 Hours a Week and Earn 5 Figures Income.
6. Use Humour
This can be a clever way to attract more readers to your content. You can get your readers to smile and be interested to see what else you have to say in your article. Example: Google’s Breakthrough Into Pizza Market: Pure Genius or Insanity?
7. Use Reasons or Ways
This is an effective strategy for articles which list tips on different topics. Examples: 10 Ways To Promote Your Blog and 5 Reasons Why You Choose WordPress.
Key Takeaway
You now have different techniques to create catchy and compelling headlines. Make sure they match what is in the body of your article. If your title doesn’t represent what the article is about, then you will lose your readers.
So, what do you think of these techniques and what do you use? Please share in the comments below.
Related Posts.
Tagged as: Blogging Tips, headline writing techniques, headlines writing, how to write headlines, writing headlines
{ 49 comments… read them below or add one }
← Previous Comments
Great list, Mavis, but you almost lost me at “Who else wants to…” I see that phrase everywhere it seems, and it’s lost it’s punch because of it. I do like questions as headlines, I just prefer them to be from the point of view of the reader, not the writer. “What are the top lead generation secrets?” reads better to me, and has less hype.
Cindy Bidar @ private label rights content´s last [type] ..Healthy Living Blog Post Six-Pack- Raw Foods Diet
Hi Cindy,
Thanks for stopping by and for leaving a comment. You’re right, questions work very well. You know, I have found “Who else wants to…” to be effective for me. I don’t overuse it, of course
All the best,
Mavis
Mavis´s last [type] ..My Second Guest Post- How To Get Your Readers Hooked!
Any headline that answers a nagging question combined with a bit of link bait is absolute gold online. You could work your butt off to create a great piece of content but without a great headline – you’re toast which is why I would personally suggest you take about 15 minutes of doing nothing but playing around with a title prior to publishing.
Murlu@PLR Articles´s last [type] ..How To- RePurpose Articles for Additional Income and Traffic
Hi Murlu,
Thanks for stopping by and for taking your time to leave a comment. I agree with you about spending some time working on your title to make sure it hits your readers.
All the best,
Mavis
Mavis´s last [type] ..My Second Guest Post- How To Get Your Readers Hooked!
I’m with you Murray.
I think the headline is the most important element and I usually start with one, write the post and then morph the headline to match the content as well as the audience need I am writing for.
Great post Mavis, really succinct and covered all the points I would have.
I recently posted a really indepth article about how I find the best titles, think you might enjoy it Mavis, I’ll let commentluv lead the way
Alex@amazon niche sites´s last [type] ..7 Reasons Why Your Article Titles Suck!
Awesome post Mavis.
I agree with your points. Using ‘a question and how to’ do work effectively. Thanks for sharing. Have fun.
Hey Samuel,
Thanks for the visit and comment. I have also found that “question and how-to” titles work like a charm
All the best,
Mavis
Mavis´s last [type] ..My Second Guest Post- How To Get Your Readers Hooked!
Mavis,
A snappy headline is one of the most important ways to draw people to your blog or content. Specifically if you do not have any sort of previous relation ship with them.
You tips on how to write out these headlines are good and should certainly help to have these people find your stuff and hopefully become regular readers. -all because of the original snappy headline in the first place.
Steve@Internet Lifestyle´s last [type] ..17 REAL Ways to Earn Internet Income
Hi Steve,
Great to see you here. So true, if you think about it, people are presented with so much information online. Why should they read yours and not the next one? So, it’s absolutely important to learn how to entice them.
I appreciate your visit and comment.
All the best,
Mavis
Mavis´s last [type] ..My Second Guest Post- How To Get Your Readers Hooked!
Hi Mavis,
The headline might be the most critical part of the blog post. If the headline doesn’t generate interest your post won’t be read.
Focus on power verbs. Concentrate on eliciting strong emotions. I suggest setting aside at least 5-10 minutes before you publish a post to decide on a headline. Think of something catchy. Hook your readers. A headline should be a magnet.
“How To” titles are particularly effective. We want to know how to do stuff. Simple as that. If you make HT posts the meat and potatoes of your blog you should never lack for readers.
Thanks for sharing your insight Mavis.
RB
Ryan Biddulph´s last [type] ..Network Marketing Madness – Do You Stress or Impress
Hi Ryan
The headline is the most important part of your content, followed by the introduction – that’s where the reader decides to continue reading or to stop.
Hitting people with emotions is a great strategy. Let them feel the pain and then show that you can help them with a soothing balm
I also find the “How to” titles very effective – they generate more traffic to my blog.
Thanks for the visit and for adding value to this discussion.
All the best,
Mavis
Mavis´s last [type] ..My Second Guest Post- How To Get Your Readers Hooked!
Great tips to make titles and headlines catchy! That’s the most important part to get readers to read more.
Jasmine@Top Web Hosts´s last [type] ..Malaysia Web Hosting YeahHost Review
Thanks, Jasmine
All the best,
Mavis
Mavis´s last [type] ..My Second Guest Post- How To Get Your Readers Hooked!
Hi Mavis,
thanks for sharing your ideas about headlines. A headline is like a title of a book – it decides whether we buy or not (not exclusively of course).
The content should not only be of great quality, it should also keep what the headline promise. A provoking or out-of-the-box headline without delivering doesn’t shed good light on the author because might have tried to deceive their readers.
Great post, thanks again for sharing.
Take care
Oliver
Oliver Tausend´s last [type] ..Think And Grow Rich – The Ghost Of Fear Of Criticism
Hey Oliver,
You’re right, it’s like a book title or newspaper headlines – good ones grab our attention. The key to keep the content in line with what the headline promises to offer or address.
Thanks for your visit and comment.
All the best,
Mavis
Mavis´s last [type] ..My Second Guest Post- How To Get Your Readers Hooked!
Congratulations Mavis on your second guest post.
I can’t agree with you more about a sizzling headline… If your content doesn’t stand up to your headline, you are sure to lose your reader within the first couple of lines.
Your headline should, most certainly reflect the content of your post.
It’s truly annoying when you read a headline and then gear yourself up for some great info and the content has nothing to do with the headline.
Warm regards,
Sandy
Thank you so much, Sandy! I know, it’s really annoying when the content doesn’t match the headline. A sizzling headline will never heal poor and misleading content.
I appreciate your visit and comment.
All the best,
Mavis
Mavis´s last [type] ..My Second Guest Post- How To Get Your Readers Hooked!
How-To post is always a catchy post, as well as using “Reason” in the headline. I would like to add 1 more point, which is “Secret” post, it’s one of the methods to catch readers’ eyes and force them to read what secret that you’re talking about.
You have good point here Mavis!
Regards,
Lee
Hi Lee,
That’s a great tip to use to get your readers curious.
Thanks for the visit and input.
All the best,
Mavis
Mavis´s last [type] ..My Second Guest Post- How To Get Your Readers Hooked!
I think catchy headlines is one of the most important part of blogging because people tend to share articles through social media like Twitter and Facebook only if they have catchy headline and nice content.
Asad @ TecRux´s last [type] ..The 3 Most Expensive iPhone Apps
You’re absolutely right, Asad. The two go together.
Thanks for stopping by and for leaving a comment.
All the best,
Mavis
Mavis´s last [type] ..My Second Guest Post- How To Get Your Readers Hooked!
Hi
This is great post and it is really important to make catchy headlines.emotions and controversy headline are best clicked by people.
Thanks For Sharing
Raj @macbookreview´s last [type] ..Apple MacBook Air MC506LL-A 116-Inch Laptop Review
Hi Raj,
It’s all about tweaking and testing to see what works best.
I appreciate your visit and comment.
All the best,
Mavis
Mavis´s last [type] ..My Second Guest Post- How To Get Your Readers Hooked!
I think I am slowly getting used to writing headlines that grab attention. I’ve definitely seen an increase in commenting and traffic since I’ve started trying to write catchy titles.
Dean Saliba´s last [type] ..SEO Can Kiss My Blogging Ass
Thanks for the visit and comment. That’s great to hear, Dean.
Keep going!
Mavis
Mavis´s last [type] ..My Second Guest Post- How To Get Your Readers Hooked!
How to related topics works great and asking question is also good to keep engage readers. The topic also help in making it interesting and motivates readers to engage.
Bilal Ahmad@Ninja Affiliate´s last [type] ..Ninja Affiliate WordPress Plugin
That’s right, Bilal. Potential readers become eager to find out how you address their problem in the rest of the article.
Thanks for coming by and for leaving a comment.
All the best,
Mavis
Mavis´s last [type] ..My Second Guest Post- How To Get Your Readers Hooked!
Hi Mavis,
I think I spend more time fiddling with my headlines than I do my post. Between the headlines and the meta title, I’m always trying to pack a punch, get my keywords in there, and draw the reader in. Sometimes it can be a challenge and your tips are a good reminder to try something a little different. Since our headlines are what people see in keyword love, on facebook, and google searches, they really need to be attractive and interesting. Obviously, as you say, the headline should match the article!
Great post,
Heather
Heather C Stephens´s last [type] ..40 Benefits of Participating in a Blog Challenge
Hi Heather,
I do the same as well, looking at my headlines from the reader’s point of view instead of just the search engines. I have seen worse headlines with just a keyword or two, nothing enticing!
Thanks for stopping by and for leaving a comment.
All the best,
Mavis
Mavis´s last [type] ..My Second Guest Post- How To Get Your Readers Hooked!
Hi Mavis,
Writing a catchy/compelling headline is an artwork in itself. And it all starts there as it is the first thing people see. Loved your suggestions above and have used some of them before. Never tried #6 though. Will give it a whirl in the future.
Keep up the great work!
Ilka
Ilka Flood@The Enlightened Networker´s last [type] ..There Are No Problems Only ”Unseen” Solutions
Hi Ilka,
You’re right, it’s the first people thing that people see and their decision to read your content or not is generally based on that.
Thanks for coming by and for leaving a comment.
All the best,
Mavis
Mavis´s last [type] ..How To Get Your Content Shared More Than Ever Before
Hi Mavis:
yay for continued guest posts! Like Heather, I fiddle with my headlines as well. You make some great points in this post and one tip I am particularly fond of is using controversy. Peaks the interest and shows you as a diverse individual.
Well done Mavis!
Lisa
Lisa@basic marketing tips´s last [type] ..Your Personality Is Dull- No Link For You
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for your encouragement
Yes, controversy works well, the key it to have the facts to back it up.
I appreciate your visit and input, Lisa.
All the best,
Mavis
Mavis´s last [type] ..My Second Guest Post- How To Get Your Readers Hooked!
Great tips… about creating headline for a post, I really like the “how to” strategy because for what I had read about copywriting almost every information about headline said… if you can’t create and think of a headline… use “how to” because it had been years and years proven that people are almost searching for “how to” stuff online and believe it or not… I too… always type in “how to” problems I have when I use Google search… strange but that’s what we human always want to know…
The Bad Blogger´s last [type] ..Make Money Blogging Community â�� What Had It Become Nowadays Donâ��t Be Surprise- You Might Be One Of Them
I agree… I do the same when I search for stuff on Google. So true, we always want to learn how to do things
Thanks for stopping and for leaving a comment.
All the best,
Mavis
Mavis´s last [type] ..How To Get Your Content Shared More Than Ever Before
I think ehow is an embodiment of how well “how to” post are doing. Solving problems for people is definitely the way to get more traffic and not only for a couple of weeks but for long periods because if someone had a problem with something, other will definitely follow.
Also, all this catchy lines can be used pretty effective as link bait, thus not only bring traffic but also bringing some links.
Alex@Jocuri´s last [type] ..Tunuri cu cartite
Hi Alex,
Without a doubt, the “How to” headliines are popular. I see a spike in my traffic when I use this strategy.
Thanks for the visit and comment.
All the best,
Mavis
Mavis´s last [type] ..How To Get Your Content Shared More Than Ever Before
Wonderful tips Mavis!
I think the trickiest one for me is the humor.
Headlines are super important and so this list is a great one to keep on hand, and refer back to as I think about each piece of content I put out.
Thank you!
Susanna
Susanna Hess@Video Branding´s last [type] ..The 4 Biggest Challenges In a Network Marketing Internet Business & The Solutions
Hi Susanna,
Thanks for your kind words
It’s all about testing and tweaking to find what works best.
I appreciate your visit and comment, Susanna.
All the best,
Mavis
Mavis´s last [type] ..How To Get Your Content Shared More Than Ever Before
Great article Mavis, this is a keeper and reference point for all bloggers, sometimes in writing we don’t know what comes first to mind, the headline or the content, i belive whichever is the first must determine the other, with thought and vision the right headline or content will emerge.
Hi Henry,
You’re right, whichever comes first should determine the other. A sizzling headline should be a gateway to killer content
Thanks for coming by and for your kind words, Henry.
All the best,
Mavis
Mavis´s last [type] ..Is Your Blog URL Properly Optimised
Good tips. Please take a moment to come to have a look at my blog. What do you think of my headlines? Are they any good?
Jasmine@Top Web Hosts´s last [type] ..Private Domain Name Registration
Thank you, Jasmine. Yes, your headlines are good – keep up the good work!
All the best,
Mavis
Mavis´s last [type] ..My Guest Post- How to Stay Focused on Your Internet Marketing Business
I also want to add a way to create headlines that attract readers here, which is make it short and sweet. For instance, a book named “Eat. Shoot. Lives” was sold millions copies because of the brilliant headlines like that. The book is about grammar and punctuations and the way the author put the headline instantly capture the attention of lots of readers. Instead of saying “Eat short leaves” which describes how a panda live, the author try to impress the importance of correct grammar so she named her book that way
Hi Mike,
That’s an interesting way to create headlines. It surely works given the number of books sold
Thanks for stopping by and for adding value to this discussion, Mike.
All the best,
Mavis
Mavis´s last [type] ..My Guest Post- How to Stay Focused on Your Internet Marketing Business
Catchy headlines are absolutely important because it can make our links get clicked. Especially if the post get higher ranking.. That’s why the competition for those keywords are quite stiff. By the way, I like using point 5 and 7..
zammax@new mobile phone´s last [type] ..Best Unlocked Phones
I couldn’t agree with you more, Zammax. Thanks for stopping by and for your comment.
All the best,
Mavis
Mavis´s last [type] ..Big Announcement – I Finished the Blogging Challenge 2 Weeks Early!
Thanks for coming by and for your input, Rayn.
Very true – “How to” headlines are very popular, people are always searching for information on how to do things.
All the best,
Mavis
Mavis´s last [type] ..Traffic Generation Blogging Contest – Thank You All Very Much For Your Staggering Support!
I don’t even know the way I finished up right here, but I believed this submit was good. I don’t realize who you might be but definitely you are going to a well-known blogger if you are not already. Cheers!
Jim´s last [type] ..1