8 HEADLINE WRITING TIPS 

The headline is one of the most crucial components of a blog.

 If the headline doesn’t pull people in, it won’t result in much success for your brand. What’s the point of excellent blog content if no one is reading it? Statistics show that out of all the people who read the headline only about 20% will read the blog content. Also, eight out of ten people will read a headline before clicking a post, but only two out of those ten will further read the post. 

Blog headlines are tricky because they need to be SEO keyword-friendly, but they also need to be creative to pull in readers. The combination of SEO strategy and uniqueness needs to result in clickable, irresistible headlines. Below are ten tips to help you craft headlines that will both entice your readers and benefit your overall SEO to ensure the right people are viewing your content.

TIPS FOR SHAREABLE BLOGS

1. Offer Value

The most significant thing you can offer someone is a piece of information that is going to help them in some way or form. People are online searching for a reason. They are looking for solutions to their problems. It’s important to offer information that your readers find valuable whether that’s in terms of knowledge, entertainment, or any other content that resonates with them.

Use a headline that is worth reading

Your headline should provide a fast way to solve something. You can create a winning headline with a combination of encouragement, solutions, a list of steps, and a timeframe. The key thing is to use your headline to prove that you are beneficial and that you are providing the necessary info to tackle a specific goal or objective.

2. Use Lists

A headline with a number or list helps the headline stand out. People know exactly what to expect from the contents of the article. A list-based blog ensures a quick and easy read, which is what most people want.

Here are a few keywords you can use to highlight a list:

• Ways
• Tips
• Tricks
• Techniques
• Strategies
• Facts

3. Utilize Keywords

A vital component of a triumphant headline is the use of keywords. Strong keywords will help your blog post rank better on Google, which will significantly benefit your SEO and increase traffic to your website. Keywords also help your readers have a firm understanding of what will be in the article.

4. Create Content That Resonates with Your Audience

With a good understanding of your audience write about topics that appeal to them. If you know that your audience is looking to learn how to accomplish something, you can create a blog that lists steps or illustrates different infographics. Use the knowledge of your audience to produce content that they want. Your followers and their needs should be at the forefront of all the headlines.

5. The 5 W’s

These words are commonly used to gather information. By using the 5 Ws in your headlines, you explain to readers the kind of information you intend to provide in the blog post.

• Who
• What
• When
• Where
• Why

6. Ask Questions

People love to take quizzes and polls. It gives them an idea of their knowledge of a specific topic or gives them further insight into qualities about themselves. Asking the reader a question helps to garner their interest, and punctuation helps catch the eye, like the way that lists do. Here are a few examples:

• Think You Know What Makes a Strong Website? Take This Test and Find Out!
• Do You Want to Run Ads on YouTube? Read This Guide Before You Start.
• Want To Get More Engagement on Instagram? Look at These Statistics!

7. Brainstorm

They say that practice makes perfect and, in this sense, that’s relevant and correct. The best and most practical practice is to take time to devote to thinking of a crafty headline. Set aside time to brainstorm different headlines. Use different variants, whether that’s a list or a unique question that makes your audience ponder for a minute. Make sure to get a few opinions as well.

8. Use Images to Compliment the Headline

Headlines stand alone in their own right but a way to increase their effectiveness is to pair it with an equally striking image. This combination of word and imagery can be a force to be reckoned with. Take some time to decide on an image that is both visually exciting and one that provides a strong visual clue to the topic of the article.

Conclusion

The main idea is not to overlook the headline in your blog or article. It plays a vital role in that it’s often the first impression you get. You want to make a good impression because excellent content is nothing without a targeted audience behind it. Your focus should be on your audience and what their specific needs and wants are.

Create a couple of headlines

It’s especially important to take the time to draft out many different headlines because often the first one you produce may not be the best. Consider which will work best with both your content and the main image. A headline can be the determining factor in whether your link attracts clicks so make sure you give it the adequate time it needs to produce a phenomenal one.

10 Tips for Creating Stellar Shareable Content