Headline Writing Tip
Assuming you’ve already read my article on the importance of an optimized article headline, the 2nd biggest mistake that newbie authors make is writing TOO short of a headline.
Pop Quiz: Which of these four headlines do you think will attract more human attention:
Headline 1) Car Audio
Headline 2) Car Audio and Electronics
Headline 3) Car Audio and Video That Will Make Your Friends Envy You
Headline 4) Car Audio Components, Sub Woofers and Tweetors – 7 Tips To Amp Up Your Stereo
Which did you vote for?
If you voted for Headline #4, you win the quiz!
The first headline is too short to get any hooks and the reader has to guess what your topic or angle will be about. You’ve built no motivation or interest.
The second headline is better than the first, yet it doesn’t explain why someone should read the article.
The third headline is again better than the first two headlines and we pick up a 2nd keyword (Video) and a reason why the article should be read (to make your friends envy you if you follow the car audio system advice in the article).
The fourth headline is the charm because we nailed multiple high value keywords, gave a reason to read the article (7 tips) and even used a high value keyword as a verb (amp).
What you should get from today’s article headline writing tip:
Extend the LENGTH of your article titles/headlines so that you give the reader a motivation or benefit for reading your article while simultaneously hooking high value keywords relevant to the topic of your article. This strategy works to deliver more qualified eyeballs to your content.
The sad truth is that a great title with poor content will outpull a poor title with great content.
Since we already know you are writing great content (right!), match up your excellent original works with a great title that is longer, contains more high-value keyword hooks and gives a benefit or reason why someone should read what you have to say.
:-)
Excellent tips Chris,
And then there is the writer’s personal preference. I post on a directory which does not use summry/ intros and requires a minimum of four word titles. I like and often use titles of 3 words and less. I have no intention of telling you what you are going to get by the title. If my title does not arouse your interest and curiosity, my article will likely bore you to tears and you would never see my resource box or visit my website for further boredom. I began altering my “perfectly good” titles for this other directory and then decided no more. They get the ones four words and longer, the others will simply be posted here and elsewhere.
In terms of sales and marketing, everything you say makes perfect sense to me. It is your choice of example that really rang my chimes. I have had a budget car audio idea I have never built, but know enough about audio and car audio, I could easily share it with others. Now that you practically handed me the title, I’ll go write the article. :-)
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