You read the title, right? Are you reading anymore? Did you know that only 20% of people read the copy? That might be extreme but most of us want the facts...FAST. Just give me the meat. And many times we can do that from the headlines alone. A friend of mine said she didn't want to watch all the Game of Thrones so she just YouTubed the main points and is caught up in about 2 hours. We are kind of like that so how do you write amazing headlines to capture people? Well, your main headline isn't the only thing to focus on. The headers through the article are important too. So here's what you need to know.
The headline needs to specifically state exactly what the article is about.
You can't just say, "The one thing you're missing today". This could literally cover millions of things. It has to be insanely specific such as "Clean your entire bathroom in 15 minutes or less". That article better be about how to clean my bathroom in 15 minutes.
Use numbers.
People love numbers. Five ways to do this, 10 ways to do that, etc. People love numbers and when you give specifics in the title, people can mentally wrap their head around it a little bit better even if it's a large number. "Over 100 homes sold this year on Mercer Island alone" - that will probably get you a few sellers. Research has shown that headlines with numbers got over 300% more thanks then any other form of a headline.
Be urgent.
The headline needs to evoke strong emotions and urgency. Use words like "now", "fast", "new". And, you don't need to put all of them in one headline. Don't go overkill either. "5 fast and simple ways to increase your home's value" Make sure you're giving them a teaser headline so they instantly have the fear of missing out.
Is the headline about you or your reader?
Does the headline instantly say what's great about you or how you are helping solve the problem? Headlines like, "We are the best real estate team in Chicago" has nothing to do with the customer. So what? How will that affect me? I have lines such as, "Your home sold in 30 days or less for top market value" really speak to the client and make it all about them.
Use How, Why and Are You or Is...
Where, when, why, what, and how... people want answers and often input their search queries in the form of a question. So titles such as, "How to Use Etched Glass to Determine Radon Exposure" or "What to Wear for a Family Photo Shoot" will be the answer to their questions.
People want quick and easy information that will solve the problem. Are you the hero of the story or the guide helping them solve a problem? The headlines don't have to be fancy but they do need to be specific, urgent, informative, and specifically state what the article is about and how it will solve someone's problem.
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Tammy Emineth very valuable tips for to write titles and headlines.
Tammy great advice, I heard it before, unfortunately not good at taking good advice, I tend to write the posts on the spur of the moment instead of doing drafts in advance...when I do usually I create good headlines as well as good posts:)Endre
I read the entire post. :-)
Great advice - the title really needs to be written so people will WANT to click.
Excellent advice Tammy - I read the entire post and bookmarked for future reference!
I know I'm a sucker for those headlines - each and every time there's a number or urgency, I check in. Time to start doing for myself.
Tammy
Once again you hit it out of the park so to speak with your post.
Great insight and information.
Thank you again for your post and reminder.
Editor Tammy...
These are great tips for writing headlines and titles, Tammy. I suspect many times we don’t give much thought to what we are writing in those titles. And often what you read has little to do with what you thought! Bookmarked for reading again as a reminder.
Jeff
Asking a question.. it helps the back and forth engagement and starts the conversation. Rather than just reading over the audience... reach out and pull them in with a CTA. Great points... Tammy Emineth !
This is where it all begins - or not. Well said.
Hi, Tammy Emineth Me, I like to watch the 2-hour game of thrones, in fact, make it three hours. Like what you have to say here. My titles usually say what the post is about. I thought that made them boring. This is good to know. You mean I am actually doing something right?
Do you have to be careful about TMI in the title ??
You got me with the Title. I read the whole post and found all the ways to write amazing titles and headlines. Now, to put it into practice.
I wanna be like Tammy
Tammy is the best! :-)
Well said... the importance to be considered ASAP, from the title to message. Thank you!
This is the bottom line: "teaser headline so they instantly have the fear of missing out."
Thanks, Tammy!
As always, your advice is spot on! When I am searching for information, I am drawn to headlines that encompass all of your suggestions.
Nice valuable share Tammy.
I've read tests that say if your site is #2-5 position in Google and your title is better, you may soon become No.1 because of more clicks and user engagement on your site than the current #1. Obviously other factors come into play too.
Tammy, this is great - and I love that you used your own points to, well, make your points! :) I try to use numbers on a regular basis, but I need to improve on creating urgency and making it about the reader. Thank you for this post!
Nice new photo Tammy!
We've become an "instant gratification society." So we've got to write to appeal to that. Subheaders and numbering systems allow people to scan quickly. Your post works well for this, and you ended on the most important point - "What's in it for the reader?"
I had learned this all before and somehow, still manage to mess it up almost every time. Thanks for the reminder.
Mahalo Tammy!
You certainly know how to peak my interest and I like your up to the point, concise and very helpful piece of advice... Thanks again!
This article is timely for me. I'm going to utilize one of your suggestions on a FB post right now!
I wrote a blog a few days ago that asked a question but gave the answer in the question, and when I read it later, I thought why in the world did I give away the reason to read the blog??? Duh!
I have noticed quite a few headlines about 5 ways to do this or The Best Recipe for x etc. Sounds like clickbait but it works!
Thank you for sharing , always good information. My thoughts are rolling on how to make better title to capture more readers.
GREAT ARTICLE!! I know I tend to scan for the key points.
I love your quick and easy article and tips, and will try harder to make better titles!
Tammy Emineth ~ telling clients what you can do for THEM is paramount. What's in it for them is exactly what they want to hear.