Your headline is an essential part of your blog post. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. It is the first and usually only chance you’ve got to get the attention of your prospective reader. If they don’t read past your headline and click on your post, then the rest of your post might as well not exist.
8 out of 10 people will read your headline copy, but only 2 out of 10 will read the rest.
This is why so much emphasis is placed on the headline in all forms of marketing and advertising.
Your headline has only one purpose. First, to get the following line read. Then the next line needs to get you to read the following line. And so it goes on until you reach a call-to-action.
There is absolutely no point in spending a couple of hours writing a blog post and allocating only a few minutes to your headline. Suppose your post doesn’t get read. All your hard work will be wasted.
I want to help you write better headlines that will increase the readership of your content.
Remember, these headline tips can work for email subject lines, tweets, Facebook posts, videos and many other situations where you want to grab someone’s attention.
Headline Shortcuts
If you’ve ever studied copywriting for any length, you will understand the massive importance of a killer headline. I am about to present to you 7 ways to write a headline that will get your blog post read. But before I do. I want to tell you something.
Writing headlines is an art form in itself. These formulas I’m about to give you are shortcuts.
If you want to write a compelling, desire-driven headline for an advert or sales page, I highly recommend reading Breakthrough Advertising by Eugene Schwartz. This book will give you a thorough lesson on identifying your market desire and all the other good stuff that goes into crafting the perfect headline.
Anyway. Let’s jump right into my 7 headline shortcuts.
7 Ways to Write a Headline that Will Get Your Blog Post Read
1. The Secret to _____________
This one gets used ALOT. People love to feel like you are letting them in on a secret. If they obtain some knowledge that others don’t have, modify this headline as needed.
E.g.
The secret to Getting Published in Forbes
The secret to Gaining Twitter followers
2. 7 Ways to ____________
Lists are viral. Give the reader 7 benefits. This demonstrates that you have some specific chunks of content for your reader.
E.g.
7 Ways to Write a Killer Headline
7 Ways To Push Back Without Being Pushy
3. How to [Mundane Task] That [Rewarding Benefit]
People love to find out “how” to do things. Dig around and find the benefits of your mundane task. Adding a gift to the end can enhance the headline and give the reader a reason to click your post.
E.g.
How to Create a Website That Makes Money
How to Write a Headline That Will Get More People to Read Your Blog
4. How to [Desired Result] Without [Painful Objection]
Simply stating the desired result will get attention from a specific audience that wants that result. Creating the image that your post will overcome their most painful objection by including the word ‘Without’ will strengthen your claim.
E.g.
How to Get More Twitter Followers Without Logging into Your Account
How to Become Successful Without Any Skills, Knowledge or Talent
5. [Do something] like [world-class example]
Comparing an activity to someone or something well known will add instant credibility. Your reader can associate with a more widely available example than something unknown.
E.g.
Blog Like an A-Lister
Play Golf Like Tiger Woods
6. Now You Can Have [something desirable] [extraordinary circumstance]
Here’s a classic headline. Offering a benefit/desire coupled with an ideal situation/circumstance can get your reader clicking through to your post in no time.
E.g.
Now You Can Have That Car of Your Dreams While Working Less
Now You Can Get More Leads All On Auto-pilot.
7. What You Need to Know About ____________
Another simple headline that implicates the reader is missing some information about a specific topic.
E.g.
What You Need to Know About Generating Leads From Social Media
What You Need to Know About The 2013 London Marathon
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That’s all 7! I recommend playing around with the wording to get it right for the content you are writing. These formulas are only a guide.
When writing your content, list out a whole series of headlines. That way you can pick the best one. Or to go that step further. You can use several different headlines when posting your content on your social media site and measure which headline gets the most clicks.
Then you can edit your headline according to the one with the most clicks.