Friday, January 20, 2012

Use these 5 Rock Star Headline Ideas when you begin your Blog

The average reader only gets past the headline of an article or blog post 20% of the time. Mediocre headlines doom a blog to failure, even when coupled with amazing content. However, there are ways to change that! These tips will help you write blog titles that will get people to read your posts. 

The most important thing when it comes to blog headlines is to get the reader’s attention. Titles like these will are interesting, and compel people to find out what important tidbits are included. 

·         9 Best Practices for Bloggers

·         Do More Writing in Less Time

·         Secrets to Making Fistfuls of Cash

·         Instant Fixes for Boring Blog Posts

Can you see how these headlines offer something of value to a blogger, and would compel them to read the post? When people see what’s in it for them (WIIFM) they stop and take notice. Your job then, as a writer, is to tell them why they MUST read your post.

Go BOLD!

Contradict something that most people believe to be true. Readers will be curious to read the post and find out why you would say something that is the polar opposite of common knowledge.

·         You Do Not Want to Vacation in Florida  

·         Blogging Today: Why Content Writing is Dead

·         Big Banks say that Main Street Caused the Recession

Would you be interested in reading those posts and finding out what they had to say? I sure would.

Bare your soul:


By humanizing yourself with a confession or telling a secret, you make yourself more likable and friendly. Readers will feel they are among friends, and will respond accordingly, with honest feedback and comments. 


·         I have a Confession to Make; Writing does NOT Come Easy to Me


·         Three Things Even Top Bloggers Struggle With


·         Psst! Inside Secrets to Drive Massive Traffic to Your Blog


 


Question….Everything?


People discuss everything on social media these days, from how to discipline children to helping their husband with erectile dysfunction. Pay attention to main themes people are talking about, and capitalize on it.


·         Does Self-Publishing make it More Difficult for Writers?


·         What will happen if SOPA or PIPA pass in Washington?


·         Is Blogging and Social Media Participation Optional for Companies Today?


 


Make a Promise


Letting your readers know that you will answer a tough problem or question for them in your post will draw them in. Leave a little mystery, and keep them guessing.


·         I have Got Some Awesome Ideas…


·         2012 is going to be the Best Year Ever!


·         Why only 10% of Blogs are Successful


 


Make them Take Sides


Point out differences without taking sides yourself, and just wait for the discussion that ensues.


·         Republican Tax Cuts; Extra Cash for their Bank Accounts or Job Creation Tool?


·         “RoundUp” Posts: Valuable Information for Your Readers, or Lazy Way to Get out of Writing?


·         Traditional vs. Self Publishing: Which Way is Best?


 


Though this is not an exhaustive list of how to build the best titles, I think it will give you a few ideas of your own. What is the best blog title you ever wrote? How did it affect the number of comments your post got? Did it create any discussion on your blog?

 

Denise Gabbard is a Writer and Blogger. She writes the blog Write and Get Paid, and is currently completing her book “How to Write and Get Paid.” With a focus on internet and digital media, it will be a comprehensive manual for new and experienced writers.






Thanks so much, Denise! I'm definitely going to use your pointers for my headlines from now on.

I still have many GPF slots open, so please check out this post for details on how to book one.

Have a great weekend!

18 comments:

  1. This was a great blog. Very helpful.

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    1. Thank you, Shelly! I am glad it is helpful for you:)

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  2. Hi Denise,
    Okay, I just about got past the title of your posting. And in the fast-faced world of blogging, with so many blogs out there, one should also bear in mind that posts that are too long can make one lose interest.
    Anyway, good to see you are 'thinking out of the blog'. One must remember that the title and the opening sentence are vital in holding the reader's interest. Maybe one day, my shy, humble, unassuming, apparently 'well kept secret' blog will get a bit more attention. If only I could write something that would capture the imagination of those who wish to be caught.
    Also, commenting back to those who kindly leave a comment adds the personal touch. Don't you reckon?
    Thanks for this Denise. And thanks for having this informative guest posting, Misha.
    Kind wishes, shy, humble, unassuming Gary :) Okay....I'm outta' here...who's next to be graced with one of my 'award winning comments'?

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  3. Hmmm...this is an interesting post! Hooking the reader is always key and so is being human, real. People always relate to that. Being contradictory and challenging a norm also can stir conversation and blogging that means traffic.

    Great points!

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  4. Thanks for sharing. All great points here.

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  5. Great tips by Denise. Thanks for sharing them.

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  6. I do try to make the titles to each of my posts catchy. The title of my blog was, 'Tales From a Loser' because I felt that way and thought it was funny and might get some attention. It did work out that way, but people thought the title wasn't me and I came to think that too and changed it. I hope the new title is catchy, but I have a lot of friends now so it doesn't matter as much as when I first started blogging.

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  7. Hi, Misha,

    Hope your weekend is off to a good start.

    I don't always have an attention-grabbing title, but I do try. Good advice. People always want to know how things will benefit them.

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  8. I'm bad about popping up the first title that comes to mind. I should pay more attention.

    Happy Weekend!

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  9. LOSE WEIGHT BY BLOGGING! I've been in advertising and it's all about the headline. It's one of the goals I try to accomplish with my blog everyday. With blogging however, even if the headline isn't a grabber, we still may visit and read someone's because we've established an on-line relationship with them. That's the best part of the blogosphere.

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  10. Interesting post!

    One title that has apparently driven a lot of traffic to my blog is Awards, Deck The Halls, Eclipse, Arctic Dinos, Congress, Christmas. On second thought, maybe I should have chosen something else for the title . . .

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  11. Hello Misha friend, went to say hello,
    have a good weekend.
    a hug.

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  12. Those are some great ideas. I really like the opposites idea. Ooh, a fistful of cash!!

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  13. Thanks for these tips! I often struggle with post titles. It's definitely not my strong point.

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  14. Some great tips here - I do often think when I post book reviews that if I post anything other than the title of the book ... I'm being misleading to the reader... *shrugs*

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  15. A great post, thank you! I will definitely attempt to keep these in mind in future posts. Titles are something I always struggle with.

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  16. Fantastic guest post. I'd certainly read many of the posts attached to those headlines.

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  17. Great ideas all around! Thanks for sharing!

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