It’s easy to neglect headlines while you’re writing. We often treat them as a quick afterthought, but they actually deserve much more attention. In reality, your headline might be even more crucial than the article itself. After all, what’s the point of a fantastic blog post if nobody bothers to read it?

Headline writing rules have changed quite a bit Out of all the people who see your headline, only 20% will read the article copy. That’s why whether you’re crafting email subject lines, blog posts, ebooks, or webinars, you need an impactful, attractive headline to truly captivate readers. Modern online article headlines require a delicate balance: they need to be optimized for SEO keywords while remaining distinctive (find creative blog post ideas here!). The ultimate goal is to create irresistible, clickable headlines. Think about it: you probably scan dozens of headlines before even finishing your morning coffee. So, what makes you choose one article over another? It all comes down to the headline – that compelling sequence of words that draws you in and sparks your curiosity. What are the ingredients of a captivating headline? Here are 19 headline writing tips to elevate your content.

1. Numbers, Digits, & Lists

We’ve previously discussed readers’ fascination with lists. Incorporating a number at the beginning of your headline makes it stand out. Just like our eyes are naturally drawn to contrasting colors, we’re also instinctively attracted to the visual contrast of numbers next to text. Lists also give readers a sneak peek of what your post covers, promising a concise and easy-to-read experience.

Here are some effective list words to get you started:

• Reasons
• Ways
• Tips
• Tricks
• Secrets
• Ideas
• Techniques
• Strategies
• Facts
• Methods
• Statistics

2. Clearly Define Your Article’s Topic

While mystery and intrigue have their place, you can’t leave readers completely in the dark about your blog post’s content. Your headline needs to succinctly communicate what your article will cover. Vague headlines simply won’t entice clicks.

• Bad Headline: Write a Song
• Good Headline: How to Compose Your Own Song: Songwriting 101

3. Highlight Your Value Proposition

When discussing social media landing pages, we emphasize the importance of a strong value proposition – clearly explaining to visitors why your offer is worthwhile. Your article headline should follow a similar principle, albeit more subtly. Essentially, you want to convey to readers why your article is worth their time. For example: Create an Eye-Catching Infographic in Minutes This headline promises a quick and potentially easy way to create impressive infographics. Sounds intriguing, right? Promising a desirable outcome (eye-catching infographics) within a specific timeframe (minutes) is a classic and effective headline writing technique. The key is to demonstrate your usefulness and show that you offer valuable information.

4. Tap into Reader Distrust

Humans can be quite skeptical, often drawn to content that exposes manipulation, deceit, or questionable practices. Here are some headline examples:

• 6 Lies Your Car Dealer Will Try to Tell You
• Is Your Doctor Telling the Truth About Prescribing Your Kids Ritalin?
• Sun Damage is Bad, But is Sunscreen Even Worse?

5. Offer Educational Value

People frequently turn to the internet to learn something new or delve deeper into a specific subject. They might want to know how to build a fire pit, find an off-Broadway musical, or even discover the “right” way to eat an apple core (people are curious, after all!).

While many successful headlines utilize the “how to” format, it’s important to add a creative twist. Starting every article with “how to…” quickly becomes repetitive. Consider these alternatives:

• 3 Best Methods for Peeling a Mango
• 6 Strategies for Deterring Burglars
• Build Your Own Firepit: A Beginner’s Guide
• Teaching Your Dog to Fetch: Canine Training 101 Incorporating keywords like “101” and “Complete/Beginners Guide” in educational headlines is highly effective. These words reassure readers that your article will be accessible and geared towards beginners.

6. Generate Excitement

It’s your responsibility to make readers eager to dive into your content. They should feel like kids at the entrance to Disney World.

OMG, the momentous fantasy magic. [photo by Chris Harrison] People won’t waste time on dull, lifeless writing. You’re not on their required reading list. If a seventh grader had to choose between Great Expectations and Harry Potter, it wouldn’t be a difficult decision. You’re competing with countless other captivating headlines, so bring your best game.

Where would you spend your summer? The waterpark or the shovel museum?

7. Don’t Shy Away from Embellishment

The most effective headlines aren’t afraid to promote themselves. Embrace embellishment, exaggeration, and enticement. Is swapping potato chips for carrot sticks a true “secret” to weight loss? Perhaps not entirely, but you can present it that way in a headline like “The Ultimate Diet Secrets for Shedding Serious Pounds.” Don’t hesitate to take some creative liberties. Creating a sense of urgency can also be effective:

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8. Craft a Unique and Eye-Catching Title

The headlines that stand out are often the ones that break away from the norm. Great headlines aren’t afraid to be a little different. While it’s a delicate balance, the best headlines combine clarity with a unique edge.

9. Consider Your Audience’s Needs

You understand your target audience. You know their aspirations and their pain points. Leverage this knowledge in your headline writing to create content that truly resonates. Understanding your audience allows you to develop smart, strategic headlines that address their desires or concerns. For instance: 5 Practices That Make You Look Like a Blogging Newb This headline would definitely pique the interest of bloggers.

10. Remember the 5Ws

Remember the 5Ws from school?

• Who
• What
• When
• Where
• Why These powerful interrogative words are used to gather information. Using them in your headlines signals to readers the type of information you’ll provide.

11. Address Readers Directly

While writing in the second person can be awkward in prose, it’s ideal for headlines. Directly addressing the reader grabs their attention.

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12. Break Free from Conventions

Headlines that spark controversy naturally pique readers’ curiosity. Here are a few examples:

• Why the iPhone 5 is a Piece of Crap
• Why Your CTR Doesn’t Matter as Much as You Think

13. Brainstorm Extensively

Some experts recommend that writers dedicate 80% of their time to crafting headlines – that’s how crucial they are. Allocate sufficient time to brainstorm a variety of headline options. Challenge yourself to write at least 10 different headlines, experimenting with structure, verbs, and adjectives. Identify the most compelling options and gather feedback from colleagues. Don’t rush the process. You might not find the perfect headline right away. It often takes a few attempts to hit that sweet spot – your first idea is rarely the strongest.

14. Use Powerful Adjectives and Verbs

As Startup Moon highlights, we often have a morbid fascination with certain topics. Readers are frequently drawn to headlines with dark or intense wording. Some effective “dark” headline words include:

• Kill
• Fear
• Dark
• Bleeding
• War However, it’s not just ominous words that capture attention. Other popular headline words include:
• Smart
• Surprising
• History
• Hacks
• Big/Huge
• Shocking

15. Engage with Questions

Posing a question directly to the reader is a great way to draw them in. Similar to numbers and digits, punctuation also helps catch the eye.

• Think You Know SEO? Quiz Yourself and Find Out!
• Do You Want to Build a Snowman? Read This Guide First.

16. Incorporate Keywords

Always include relevant keywords in your headline. This improves your blog post’s ranking on Google and immediately clarifies the topic for readers.

17. Keep Headlines Concise (Under 70 Characters)

To ensure your headlines display correctly in Google search results and avoid being cut off, aim for a maximum of 70 characters.

We don’t get a full understanding of what this article is about due to the chopped headline.

18. Embrace A/B Testing

Buffer did a great study provides guidance on easily A/B testing headlines. Here’s a simplified approach:

• Select two promising headlines.
• Schedule two tweets, each featuring a different headline.
• Send the tweets an hour apart (ensuring both fall within the same AM/PM period – for example, 9 am and 10 am).
• The tweet with better performance becomes your permanent blog post headline.

19. Complement Headlines with Images

Headlines play a crucial role, often serving as the sole introduction to your article online. However, social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and increasingly Twitter, allow you to incorporate images alongside your link headlines. This is incredibly valuable as images have a significant impact and can greatly enhance your headline’s success. As Buffer notes, don’t just choose any random image to accompany your headline. The image should provide a clear visual cue related to your article’s topic. Here are some examples of effective image headlines:

This post by Mashable features an excellent image choice – it visually represents the article’s focus on Facebook and political bias.

This Wildfire image is simple yet impactful – it highlights a striking statistic from the article, grabbing our attention and encouraging us to learn more.

This Intel image is a prime example of how a picture can serve as a compelling visual headline. The message is conveyed effectively without relying on text.

Overlaying a relevant image with your post’s main headline or message is an effective strategy for maximizing engagement on social media (full disclosure: this is from an article I wrote about buying Twitter followers). Remember to prioritize headline writing. Don’t rush the process – select a few favorites and carefully consider which will be most effective. Your headline can make or break your article, so give it the time and attention it deserves!