Your blog post headline is your chance to make a good first impression upon your blog visitors.
What kind of impression are you making?
If you’re not writing headlines that convert your visitors into readers, it’s almost like the rest of your post doesn’t even exist.
Your headline is intended to grab the intention of your readers, but there’s a lot more that a good headline can do. Your blog post headline should be so intriguing that the main message of your post is being spoken loud and clear… so clear, that your blog visitor can’t wait to read more of what you have to say.
The best way to form your blog post headline is to promise a benefit to your reader. In other words, what will they get out of spending their time reading more.
Here are some tips that will help you write great headlines for your blog posts.
- Give a direct message in your blog post headline. It’s okay to use indirect headlines from time to time, but don’t try to be clever every time. Whatever the main point of your blog topic is, go straight to it. When you’re using a direct message approach, tell the people what information you’re offering in the headline and offer it in the blog post.
- When you want to approach a topic subtly, use an “indirect headline”. Ask a question, or word your headline in a way that your reader will ask themselves a question. Then… answer the question in the body of your blog post. When you do want to write a ‘cleverly written’ headline, this is the place to do it. Imply one thing that’s true, but write about something totally different, but still relates to to your subject. Here’s an example… You can use a title that says something about fresh bait. Most people will immediately think fishing, but your message may be about link bait.
- Another headline style is called a “news headline”. The description is pretty clean and simple. Find something that’s actually current news and write the headline about it, then tell your story in the body of your blog post. This is a great headline style to talk about a new product that you’re selling or launching.
- One headline style that works like a charm is still the “how”. People always want to know how to do something. If you can figure out what they need and write the solution in your blog post, you’ll start to experience a loyal following that you might otherwise never get.
- A headline that asks a questions is extremely popular, but make sure you’re asking something that the majority of your readers would want the answer to. The “who” questions comes at a very close second. It’s still asking how, but just phrased differently… “who wants …”
- Be bold… and use the “command headline”. This is where you’re telling your reader exactly what he needs to do, like… “put a tiger in your tank” which was a very successful ad campaign. You use this same tactic by saying things like… “subscribe to…” — “order my…”– “visit this…”
- Another effective style to use is the “Reason Why” headline. This type of post is great for “list styled” writing. A couple of good examples are… “Ten ways to get a better nights sleep” or “Five ways to fight migraines”. Again… people always want to know why or why not…
- And last… let’s talk a little about the “Testimonial Headline”. This type of headline gives you to opportunity to plug something that works where you have proof. You simply use the words that someone has spoken or written to comment about your product or service. Be sure to include “quotation marks” so that people understand these are words that were actually spoken by someone.
Hopefully, you have a clearer understanding that blog post headlines aren’t just catchy words that sound good. Make sure that there is a purpose and that it’s fully exercised.
Mix up your headline styles so that your blog doesn’t read like mundane babble, but appears to your blog visitors that you have something very powerful to say… because you do!
A good practice start now is jotting down really good headline ideas and build your content around them. Keep a small notebook nearby and every time a good idea comes along, write it down. This will go a long way in helping you keep your blog content fresh and relevant for your readers.
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 Rosalind is the author of this blog and the founder of the 10K Inner Circle. She's an expert trainer on blogging and internet marketing, and a sought after speaker among her business peers. She also builds a successful network marketing business. If you enjoyed reading this post, be sure to get more tips here. |
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