by Rahimah Sultan
Although there are many tutorials that can teach you the mechanics of blogging, there is more to writing fantastic blog posts.
Here are some rules to follow when creating your headlines.
1.You Need a Great Topic
Decide on your post headline (title) prior to beginning to write the article. This is your map to follow in order to stay on topic and not confuse readers. You want your readers to reach the intended objective as easily and efficiently as possible.
If you want your blog post to get opened your headline must promise readers the answer to their concerns, what they’re looking for.
To find out what your readers want research:
Review comments on your posts and on posts of other sites in your niche.
Send your subscribers surveys asking them what their greatest struggles are.
Use tools like BuzzSumo to find out what the most popular posts in your niche are (which gives insight into your target readers’ needs).
Read the reviews of books in your niche on Amazon (you’ll find a gold mine of feedback to explore.)
Now you’ve decided on a topic.
Example:
You make jewelry at home. Your headline reads:
How to Make Jewelry
This title is so broad it’s unlikely to draw in many readers.
Tools and Materials Needed to Get Started in Jewelry Making
This is a narrow specific headline that makes your readers feel you have the answers they’re looking for.
2. Take Your Cue from the Pros
“How to” headlines and list post headlines are the easiest templates with which to start. They are classics and proven to work.
“How to” headlines:
How to start a blog in 2020
How to make money blogging
How to make money writing
List Post Headlines:
5 Blogging Ideas
25 Tips for Content Marketing
5 Tips for Business Success
15 One-Sentence Chunks of Online Marketing Advice You Can Use Today
3. Engage Your Senses:
Add sensory details to your headlines. Place yourself in your readers’ shoes. Imagine what they see, feel, taste, smell or hear.
Example:
How to Start a Baking Blog
This is a good headline.
How to Start a Baking Blog on Breads and Delicious French Pastries
This is a better headline. It makes an enticing statement that encourages people to want to know more.
Questions are also a great way to construct headlines that get clicked.
For example:
Are You Making Any of These 7 Common Blogging Mistakes?
4. Give a Tease not the Answer
You want to draw people in to see what you have to offer. Don’t give a solution.
Example:
How to Build a List of Subscribers Using an Autoresponder
You’ve given the answer to a problem; use an autoresponder to build a list.
How to Build a List Faster and Easier
This headline is more interesting and piques curiosity and interest.
5. Don’t be Deceptive
For instance…
5 Steps to a Healthy Life Style
is fine until the 5th step ends up with no advice and leads to a sales page.
6. Streamline Text
Don’t fill your headline with unnecessary words that add no real value:
If You Want to Stay Slim and Trim Here are 5 Things You Must Avoid
Instead use:
5 Things You Must Avoid to Prevent Weight Gain
7. Don’t Use the “I’m intelligent” Aspect
The purpose is not to appear clever or educated.
Your headline should make sense to all readers. They shouldn’t have to guess what the benefit is.
When writing your headline, don’t use metaphors, jargon, rhymes, made-up terms, or anything that tries to be too clever or complicated.
How to be Happy on Life’s Highway
People want specifics related to their needs, not a metaphor.
And this:
How to Maintain Your Beauty as Life is a Fading Flower
What beneficial information can anyone gather from that to make them want to read more? You need to deliver clear benefits in your headlines.
You may be able to make a connection in your post and use it as an analogy, but readers are scanning headlines for things that apply to their particular circumstance. They have no clue as to why they should stop to read further so they probably won’t.
8. Stick to Your Style
Your audience already knows and trusts you, so don’t make any drastic changes.
As you continue to write your style will emerge. Once you decide your style stick with it, although you can gradually change it. Don’t make any drastic changes so your audience will still know, like and trust it’s you.
Create several (5-10) versions of the same headline. The more you practice the better you will become at writing clear, concise and curiosity-invoking headlines that readers can’t resist.
Keep your headlines to 60 characters or less so they don’t get truncated in the SERPs (search engine results pages).
Readers usually don’t click these links.
Choose the best blogging platform and avoid the common blogging mistakes made by newbies.
Part two will be covered in my next article.
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