One of the most important parts of the content is its Headline. The headline can make or break the success of your content because it is what always comes to the notice at the very first glance. Whether in SERP or on Social Media, everywhere the title of the content displays prominently. Thus, spend more time writing the headline for each article or essay you write. So, if you write catchy headlines for the articles you write, you will get better Click Through Rate for sure.
According to an article on Kissmetrics, only 20% of all people who read your headline actually read the content. And, that too when you have extremely attractive headline. If your headline is too flat, you don’t even get 5% of people reading your content.
For example,
Look at the screenshot below which I got when I searched for Link Building Strategies in Google.com
You can see a few results, but at the first glance, the link of Searchenginewatch grabbed my attention because the headline tells clearly the ways to build links which will help drive traffic, and that is what we want from our link building efforts. So, I clicked that link only among others. If you see the other links, they have normal headlines that don’t seem to be catchy ones.
Thus, having a headline that is catchy and at the same time displays the actual benefits of reading the content is great.
As I got attracted to the headline mentioned above, you would be too.
It is very important to write catchy headlines for your content because if you cannot attract people to click on your headlines, no matter how great your content is, it is difficult to get readers on it.
Thus, spend more time writing the headline for each article you write.
In this blog post, I am sharing 15 tips to write catchy headlines:
#1. Define what the content is all about in a creative way
You must define clearly that what the article is all about because if it explains well, people may click on it as they are sure that what they are going to read.
On the other hand, if you write a headline that doesn’t define clearly as what it is all about, people may not click because they are not sure about the content.
Therefore, your content headline needs to define what all is covered in the content.
Apart from this, you should also keep in mind that the headline is written in a creative and catchy way so that it can grab more eyeballs.
For example:
Link building strategy – This headline doesn’t define what is covered in the article rather it just says that something about link building strategy.
10 Link Building Strategies– This is better as it defines that in this blog post 10 different link building strategies are defined.
10 Link building strategies to boost search rankings – This is the best one because it defines that 10 link building strategies have been shared in the article and also, tells the ultimate benefit of those link building strategies.
At the beginning of this article, I have explained about this as well. When a headline clearly articulates about the content covered in the article and also tells the benefits, it gets more clicks.
#2. Use Numbers
When I surf the web as a reader, I prefer the articles that are in the form of the list because even if I don’t have time to read the full article, I still get the information by looking at the list items. List posts give the clear view of the whole article, and that is why it performs well.
List posts specifically perform even great when you use Numbers (1-10) and not the text (one-ten).
Therefore, using numbers in the content headline makes it more attractive and catchy.
For example:
7 Signs your website is penalized – More effective
Seven signs your website is penalized – Less effective
There are many ideas of such kind of catchy headlines:
10 Reasons why you are not getting search traffic
10 Tips to rank high on Google
20 Content Marketing Strategies you should not miss.
Pro Tip: Use bigger numbers such as 50 tips to rank for any keyword you want as they attract more people.
#3. Personalize the Headlines
While writing the headline being a bit personal is beneficial. Personal means to write something in a manner that shows a relation between you and your content.
For example,
How I earn $2000 every month from my blog?
How I am making money online sitting in my Armchair?
How I ranked my blog for high competition keywords in a month?
These kinds of Headlines create a feel of the case study. I mean when you write such headlines, it shows that you have actually done this thing, and that’s where you grab the people’s attention to it. This is one of the best headline writing tips I could give you.
Note: Don’t mislead people by writing such headlines just for the sake of grabbing attention. Do it if you really have achieved something.
#4. Make use of Question Words
At the time of writing headlines, we must think like a user because it gives us ideas as how people find the content on the search engines.
For Example,
If I want to know about NASA,
Then what I will search:
What is NASA?
When it was created?
People use question words for finding such kind of information. Thus, it is good to use those words in your headlines.
Those Question words are:
- Who
- Why
- When
- What
- Where
- How
#5 Use Keywords
One of the best ways to write catchy and good headlines is using useful keywords. Before you write headlines for your content, do a thorough keyword research to find out the keywords with high search volume along with fair competition, and use that in your headlines. It is important because if use those words in your headlines that people don’t even search, then how your content will be found in the SERPs?
Therefore, use searchable keywords in the headlines along with the creative ideas that tempt people to click.
#6 Keep Headlines in between 60-65 Characters
Most search engines read only around 60-65 characters (includes spaces). So, if you write headlines in this range then it looks good in search results, and people can read the full headline. If you write longer than this range, extra words get trimmed by Search Engines. And, people don’t get the full understanding of the headline.
In the above screenshot, you can see that the second one has few words trimmed due to having the longer title, and as a user, you may not be able to read the whole title until you open this link. Thus, have the headline in the limit of 60-65 characters in order to show the full titles to the users.
#7. Arouse Audiences’ Curiosity
The catchiest headlines are those that arouse the readers’ curiosity to a great extent, and that made them click on your headline.
Example,
What he did next will surprise you.
You will be shocked to know how he ranks for every keyword
Though, these types of headlines go lengthy sometimes. But they perform quite well.
#8. Ask Questions
Asking questions in headlines directly hits audiences’ mind, and they get tempted to click to read the content. I have a few articles already on this blog where I have used question type headlines, and they did pretty well.
Here are a few examples:
Why Do Newbie Bloggers Give up Blogging Soon?
Are You Bored from Blogging?
By asking questions, you will be able to write great catchy headlines that actually perform better.
#9. Use Power Words
There are many words that are very powerful in order to get better CTR. Secret, excellent, Free, Wonderful, etc. are a few words that draw audience attention quickly. They can readily improve the CTR of your content headline.
For example,
Wonderful ways to lose weight.
Secret tips to rank high in Google.
20 Free tips from Probloggers.
#10. Promise Time-Specific Advantages
Headlines that promise something to happen in specified time attracts more eyeballs because whenever people find something actionable, they want to know how much time it will take to get the benefits. So, the headlines that have this kind of time-specific words get more Click Through Rates.
For example,
How to lose your weight in 30 Days?
How to write an e-book in 10 Days?
These types of headlines are very promising and get more eyeballs.
Note: Always give doable time frame while writing such headlines.
#11. Create Controversy
Controversial headlines perform extremely well. But, be prepared to handle the negative comments, and also you must have guts to defend what you have written.
For example:
Why is link building not important as much as you think?
#12. Address readers in the second person
It is crucial to connect directly with your readers, and that you can do by writing content headlines in which you mention the readers in the second person.
For example:
Blogging tools that you must not miss
This shows that you directly talk to your every reader. Thus, it is a good way to write catchy headlines.
#13. Take time to finalize the Headline
I would recommend and in fact, many experts recommend devoting more time writing headlines because it is the most important part of the content.
Before writing the final headline, try around 4-5 different headlines for the same content, and then see which one is the best. Then, finalize.
If you want, you can get suggestions from your friends for choosing the final headline. You can show them all the headlines you have written, and ask them to choose one. This way, you can get the votes from each of your friends, and on the basis of that, you can select the best one.
#14. Use Authority Names
Being a normal person when you give tips then its impact will be low. But, when you write something with a popular authority person name, then it will impact more.
For example,
10 life lessons from Billionaire Jack Ma
Entrepreneurial tips from Bill Gates
Note: When you use authority persons’ names then make sure you give the actual tips that are given by them. It is not like that you write your own tips and tag with their name. Don’t do that, please.
#15. Avoid Passive Voice
While writing Headlines, avoid Passive Voice as Active Voice is easier to understand when people scan through to find out exciting headlines.
These are the best tips one can give you to write the best catchy headlines. If you are not able to do it, you can get one written with someone’s help, and use for your article.
Final Words
Writing a headline is the most important part of content creation, and it also decides whether the article is going to be a hit or flop.
Therefore, it is imperative to devote time to writing catchy headlines to get them clicked by most of the people who read it.
I have done my best to pen down the 15 tips to write catchy headlines. I hope you have enjoyed this blog post.
I would like to hear from you as well about the considerations you take into while writing the headlines.
Assuming yourself a reader then decide what kind of title you may like, then choose your post title accordingly.
Brilliant post Atish!!
Thanks for your comment dude.
Thanks for such a wonderful article, especially the advice of not using passive voice in headlines. I will follow this advice from now on.
Well Atish, This is one of the best post i have read on Your blog. ” Be it personnel” I like the tip very much, It will help me to write most amazing titles of my articles.
Thanks Rakesh for the appreciation.
Keyword is the most important part in the title Search Engine crawls its early.
And thanks for the useful Tips. 🙂
Keyword research is the most important step which has to be taken while writing a post as well as its title . BTW , Nice post Atish!
Very nice written and mostly the one which says be a bit personal makes more sense. keep it up
Thanks dude.
One way I have found very effective is… asking a question in the title. It has drawn many readers to some of my blogs. I think keyword research is the most important step and you did the right thing by putting it as the first. Thanks.
Title that is eye catchy plays an important roles. Titles like Top 10 or Top 5 also draws a lot of visitors.
Nice. I like the idea of posing a question in the title. I wonder if this would work similarly well in email (newsletter) subject lines?
ultimate post. I was never concerned much about post title.
Thanks for sharing this information. Now I will definitely do a key word research before publish.
Yes You are right. We need to see our post title from user’s point of view.
I think first point of search engine matters a lot ….as most of the traffic site gets from search only….
yes you are right.
You are Absolutely right Dude. Welcome To TechTricksWorld
Hi Atish,
Asking questions and allowing comments is one of the best methods for a successful article as it helps in learning more than. Adding a catchy title will definitely gain the user response..
Yes you are right. Title matters a lot.
wow this was really useful for me.
i just set up my first blog and although i doubt anyone will read it, you have given me some great tips to make the title more engaging to the readers.
I absolutely agree, with you about the value if a decent post title. Not only does it dow what you said above, but I belive, a good title makes people want to read it and want to comment about it.
A poorly written title does the opposite.
Yes you are absolutely right Lyn.
An amazing post title is essential in generating traffic in any site. It’s the title that users first see when they see a blog and an interesting title will entice them to see what the site has to offer. I agree that titles asking a question can be interesting too. It tickles the interests of the readers in the same niche.
Great post. The importance of the post title can’t be stressed enough.
Good tips on how to achieve that!
Super Cool post on the title selection. Its important to choose a right, attractive and appealing Title for a blog post.
In terms of SEO it is really crucial to put your main keyword in the title. If your keyword is not in the title, you have almost no chance to rank high in the search engines.
Exactly. Specially if you put the keyword in the start of the title then you will get the most out of it.
Hi Atish. This post is a great read. What you can also do is Google variations of the title and make sure to write yours a different way, but with a similar message. Google likes unique writing in posts and titles, which will make it rank higher in the search engines and then it will also be more enticing to readers as well.
Thanks for your input on this.
Yeah, you are right Atish…it impacts on search engines so I think it must be striking and interactive. Your tips will help me to write most amazing titles of my posts. Thanks for sharing such great information.
Awesome ideas to choose powerful title for post. Powerful title always brings visitors and traffic to our blog. I totally agree with you this point “Use Powerful words”.
I totally agree with through this point “Use Powerful words”.Powerful word always gives more meaning and it will attract many people.These points are helps me to write a powerful title for my posts.
Very good post, Atish
and really important this headlines,
they make me always trouble 🙂
You have a lot of good suggestions here.
A useful post
Thank you
Erika
Hello Erika,
Thank you so much for all of your efforts for sharing this post, and for your kind comment.
Have a nice day.
Hi Atish,
Informative post indeed 🙂
You’re absolutely right about all that you mentioned. A catchy title and headlines is what draws readers to your blog, especially the people you don’t know, so even if bloggers have to spend more time in creating an apt title, it’s worth it at the end of the day.
I agree about having the keywords within, and keeping it short and sweet, though sometimes it can get a little tricky, depending on the content you are writing. Overall, great tips for all, and I’d surely be sharing this one around as it would help bloggers.
Thanks for sharing it with us. Wishing you a very Happy & Prosperous Year ahead 🙂
Hello Harleena,
Feeling good to see you on my blog after a very long time. Yes, title is very important, and we must devote time to write a killer and catchy one.
Happy New year to you too.
Great imformative post. T
Thanks for sharing!
I recently published a post on similar topic.
I shared 3 great tools to generate catchy headlines there.
I hope it will also help.
You can find them in my latest post.
That’s good to know Naman. I will check that out.
Hello Atish,
Title should be catchy for a article. Here you have discussed some tips those are really great. All are really helpful.
Thanks ®ards,
Moumita Ghosh
Thank you for coming by Moumita.
Dear Atish bro,
Who will not bookmark this post! What a fantastic post including great tips of choosing catchy post title which can definitely help out the bloggers to get more attention of readers.
Have a great week
Hello Saurabh,
Happy to know that you loved the post. Writing catchy headlines is utmost important thing.
Atish, nice list. I started staying away from number posts – spent too much time counting, then I would sometimes get the number wrong or want to add one more. I like your idea of a question as a title. Good ideas!
Hi Leora,
Glad you liked the post. Yes, it takes a lot of time writing number posts, and many a time you miss things.
Have a great day ahead.
I hope more bloggers will practice your first tip. The article title must define your content and not crafted as non-sense click baits.
Atish, the above is one of nice tips which you always did.
Sure, headline is really important for your blog post. The headline improve the conversion rate and attract more people to click on your article while it was listed on search result page.
I agree using number and great word will improve more attractive of your headline, because I always do that. Also, I want to you to know that you gave me more idea on writing better headline.
Thanks for share…
Hi Kimsea,
Good to see you back on my blog.
Happy New Year.
Headline is indeed the most important part and yes, as you said it does improve the conversion rate as well.
Thanks for sharing your views with us.
Atish, thanks for your fast responding..!
Well, I just have longer time for holiday thus I just go email and found your post…!
Anyway, Happy New Year…
Oh Great. Hope to get new blog posts from you too on your blog. It seems you haven’t updated the blog since quite a few time.
Hi Dear,
I found your post is very useful for a new blogger just like me. out of these tips #14 is the best I liked the most.
Thanks for your valuable tips brother and keep up the good work.
Thanks.
Thank you for coming by, Ruven.
Hi
I liked your article & agree that numbers can seek the attention of the visitors. It becomes easier for visitors/users when you make points into your articles leading to the conclusion of the post.
Thanks for coming by Aashish.
Hi Atish,
Thanks for sharing a detailed post about how to write headings. As we all know that headings are the most significant thing in search engine optimization. So, before writing one must follow the above mentioned guidelines for the betterment of our blogs and for the sake of getting more organic traffic form search engines.
Keep sharing 🙂
Regards
Mairaj
Hello Mairaj,
Thank you so much for coming by and sharing your views on this post. Glad you liked it.
Hey Atish,
Wonderful post. Everyone loves adrenaline boost. It’s a basic human nature. So what I learnt from the 15 tips above is that, we gotta hit their adrenaline level up in a positive way. Going to apply it on my next articles 🙂
Hello Niladri,
Thank for your sharing your views. Hope these help.
yup attractive Title catch viewers eyes to click on that link .and we only have 60 words to allow and tell our hole concept in 60 words.
thanks:-)
Catchy headline along with keyword focusing is obviously the big deal. Thanks will hookup the points above,
Great work Atish. Must read for someone who wants to write killer headlines. Having great headlines help us in getting better CTR on all fronts whether its online or offline.
Thanks for stopping by, Anil. Headlines is indeed important.
Well Atish, this is really a very good post on headline creation. Quite informative with very examples. Thanks for sharing.
Bharat,
You always place your website link wrongly while commenting. Please check it is going to a expired domain. However, I have corrected many times.
Hi Bro,
Your post really helps me in understanding the basic facts about heading and also helps to write a better post with better headlines. Thank you for your such a nice post.
Good that you liked the post, Prakash.
WOW! Thanks mate for your great article about Catchy Headlines!!! so sweet of you buddy!!!
Hi Atish, headline is the outlook of an article, it should be in attractive and proper way..all you mentioned are just amazing… thanks for the killer article yar…… 🙂
Hi Atish,
I think this is one of the best article that I have read today. As a Content Developer I struggle with writing headlines that will attract readers. I think you have given me the chest codes of writing headlines. Thank you.
Hello Imran,
You yourself a great writer, and getting a compliment for this article is a great thing I got today. Hope it helps.
Hi,
i really like your post.
I am also a blogger from last 1 year. and for me deciding the title for my articles consume more than 1 hour. I am very confused on title decision. But this tutorial helped me little. I will go through this tips and make my blogging easy. Thanks
Great to know that Sreenath. Hope the post will help.
wow Thanks Mate… Now i can write catchy title for my blog articles with the tips given by you and drive more traffic. The post was very infomative.
Thanks Atish for this awesome guide. Really, We must optimize our headlines in such a creative way that it attract people to click. I will surely follow the tips you have mentioned above.
I started a new Tech Blog after a long and I have some doubts and confusion for creating right SEO optimized blog posts. now my almost every confusions cleared. Thanks for your Blog post. Love you.
Headlines is the main part of catching visitors to your site. Writing a great headlines increases the click through rate from search engines.
Hello dear,
Congrats to you because this is very informative and interesting too.
Headlines are important because this is the starting of an article. And if you were adding a normal or a confused type headline, then it would leave a bad impression on the viewer.
So, great article.