With more content hitting the Internet at an increasing rate, it becomes more difficult to gain attention for your blogs with each passing day. If you want to attract your audience, you need to focus on headlines. Without an intriguing headline, no one will bother to check out your post — and the engaging content that you created will go to waste. Lucky for you, there are proven strategies for creating headlines that you can use to make sure all your blog posts receive plenty of clicks.
1. Use Lists and Numbers
People love to know that the content to follow will be in list form. It is easier to consume and understand when information is divided into a logical list of ideas, tips, or facts. Numbered lists are the best of all, as numbers stand out in the sea of letters. Can you guess what number performs best in your headline?
2. Write How-Tos
If you start your headline with “how to,” readers will immediately know that the blog post contains actionable information, see this blog as an example. When “how” is unsuitable, consider a different trigger word, such as “why,” or even “what” or “when”.
3. Clarify the Type of Content
Another way to let users know what is to follow is to specify in the headline when your blog post is anything other than text. This enables users to choose the type of content that they’re in the mood to consume. For instance, at the end of your headline, you could write [infographic], [video], or [template]. You can even utilize this tactic for less common types of text-based content, like [interview].
4. Be Descriptive
Explain exactly what users can expect to gain from your blog post. Without giving too much away, use the headline to explain what readers will learn or achieve after consuming your content or what new findings you’ve discovered. Also aim to communicate who the blog post is for.
Users are tired of clickbait with vague phrases that attempt to be intriguing. When you are descriptive, the people who will find your content useful or interesting will be the ones to click your blog posts. This will help guarantee they will have a positive experience and want to return for more.
5. Make a Compelling Promise
A headline should show users why a blog post is uniquely valuable — what it offers that readers will be unable to find elsewhere. Emphasize this with emotive words, powerful adjectives, and a sense of urgency. However, be careful to only make claims that your content is able to fulfill. If you disappoint users, they will be unlikely to return.
6. Limit Words
If you have too many words in your headline, users will skim the text. Furthermore, search engines will cut short long text, meaning some users will be unable to even read the complete headlines. Some research points to 5-6 words or aout 50 characters as the optimal length but recent studies suggest longer headlines are getting the highest view.
7. Try Something Different
Use an emotoin. People feel more compelled when they can relate on a personal and emotional level. Have you seent he articles "This will make you cry" , "Give you goosebumbs", or "Can't stop laughing"? This is because we love to see emotionally powerfull content. This about this the next time you are scrolling through Facebook.
8. Try Something Different
You have no way of expressing your personality and the values of your brand if you do the same as everyone else. Maybe you can think of an original way for expressing an idea, such as a creative analogy. If it fits with your brand image, go for it.
9. Include a Keyword
Keywords in headlines are not only important for SEO, but they’re still useful for grabbing readers’ attention. The right keyword shows users that your content is what they’re looking for, whether your blog post appears in search results or a social feed. Include your keyword near the beginning of the headline to ensure users see it immediately.
Find out which of these tips are effective with your target audience by testing different types of headlines on your blog posts. It is best of all to use A/B testing, as this eliminates the influence of other factors, such as topic and posting time.
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