Simple Ways To Write Effective Headlines

Do you have problems writing effective headlines & blog post titles?

When writing copy for the web it is vital to use headlines and titles effectively to grab the attention of the reader.  This initial hook, or lure, must be compelling enough to make the reader want to carry on reading the remainder of the article.

How do you do this?

I have a few pointers that I hope will be helpful to you. Firstly an analogy.

Cast your mind back to when you were young and carefree.  You see a very attractive girl (or guy) at a dance that you would like to date. Your initial approach is vitally important and can spell the difference between success and a disastrous brush off.  What are you actually attempting to do in those first few but vital words? That’s right; to get her attention and to sell her something – in this case yourself.  Okay, it also helps if you are a handsome football player or the best looking girl in town; selling is always easier if you have a great product.

•    “Hello my name is James.  I have been watching you for some time and I wondered if perhaps you would like to dance with me?”
•    “Hi I’m Jim. Dance?”

Of the two statements above, which do you think would be the most successful?  I hope that you think the second one. It is short and punchy and gets the message across quickly and in few words.

Writing headlines works on exactly the same principle.

•    DRUG CRAZED VICAR SHOOTS WIFE’S COLOURED LOVER

What a great newspaper headline.  It has everything; drugs, religion, murder, infidelity, sex and race.

But what would an editor think?  Probably that it is too long.  Wouldn’t it have more impact and be more attention grabbing if it was shorter?  How about?

•    VICAR SHOOTS MAN

This has more punch and grabs the attention in just three words.  The message that a man has been shot is instantly conveyed and the reader is surprised that a vicar shot him.  The reader is well and truly hooked and he now wants to know more. He is likely to read the article to its end.

Good rules to work by:
•    Consider what the article is to contain and what the main points are.
•    From those main points compose an attention-grabbing headline.
•    Write the headline before you start on the body text of the article.
•    Keep it short and punchy.

Study newspapers (news items and ads) to see how the best in the business create their headlines.  Acquire their skills and you will soon be creating great headlines for your own work.