How to Write Great Headlines Len Penzo Len Penzo dot Com
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How to Write Great Headlines
Len Penzo Len Penzo dot Com
Why Should I Care About Headlines?
They’re the most important part of your article!
Blog visitors take 8 seconds to decide whether they are going to stay or leave (LorelleOnWordpress.com)
Fact: On average 4 out of 5 people read a headline, but only 1 out of 5 will read the rest (copyblogger.com)
Great posts with bad headlines don’t get read
Well-written headlines greatly increase the odds of getting your post read
Why Should I Care About Headlines?
You never get a second chance to make a first impression!
6 Examples of Recent Headline FAILS
Here are six recent blog headlines. Would you click on any of these articles? On Opportunity Being Rich Managing or Paying Off Debt Stories of the Unemployed We Have to Eat Healthier Did You Know?
If your headline doesn’t communicate the benefit you’ll deliver to the readers, most of them won’t bother to give you their time.
So … Which Headline Would YOU Click?
1) MSN
New stunning images from Hubble
2) Space.com
Astronomers discover new spiral galaxy
3) Fox News
Hubble space telescope spies a UFO
FOXNews.com - The Hubble Space Telescope has found a UFO, but this one is filled with stars instead of little green men.
The iconic space telescope snapped an amazing new photo of the “UFO Galaxy”— a galaxy 35 million light-years from Earth that is officially known as NGC 2683.
"NGC 2683 is a spiral galaxy seen almost edge-on, giving it the shape of a classic science fiction spaceship," NASA officials wrote in a recent image description. © 2012 FOX News Network
Cosmopolitan
Weekly World News
Great Headlines …
Convey a message
Get out of debt fast, no matter how much you owe!
Are compelling
20 Ways to get richer in 1996 – without even trying!
Painless way to save thousand$ -- with ease!
Are specific
Cut mortgage payments IN HALF!
Cut income taxes IN HALF!
Take charge of your finances … TODAY!
Are intriguing
The secret fortune in your garage!
6 Reasons Why “List” Headlines Work
They build your authority as a blogger
They get right to the point
They’re usually quick and easy to read
They encourage dissenting opinions
Large lists dare the reader to verify your claims
They make a specific promise to the reader about what they are going to learn
Promises, Promises
Like it or not, a headline is a promise
If people think you can’t deliver, then they won’t read your post
Words like “almost” or “some” increase credibility
When it comes down to writing good headlines, credibility is king
Of course, you can’t please everyone …“You are an idiot. You had to use the lawn three times in order to get to 21 reasons. Also, you say there is no privacy, lots of pedestrians and cars, but then you go on to say that it is more vulnerable to burglary? At least have legitimate reasons if you are going to criticize. I just wasted 3 minutes of my life.” – Tim Sanders
“How to” Write a Great Headline
The easiest way is to write a “How to” headline
Remember, it’s virtually impossible to write a bad “How to” headline
“How to” headlines work because they focus on benefits the reader will receive if they read the post
Examples:
How to Avoid Being Audited by the IRSHow to get the Most from Your Gym Membership
How I Save $1400 Annually by Eating LeftoversHow to Become a Millionaire in 28 Days!
Why Say “Why”? Because It Works!
Using “why” at the beginning of your posts (as a declarative statement) allows the reader to focus on the benefits of reading your article
Some Examples:Why You Should Never Cosign a Loan for Anyone
Why Not All Debt Is a Four-Letter WordWhy Lazy People Shouldn’t Automate Their Finances
Why Miracle Whip Doesn’t Belong on a Tuna Sandwich
Adjectives Make Good Headlines Better
Good:4 Truths You Must Learn Before You Can Be Rich
Better:4 Surprising Truths You Must Learn Before You Can Be Rich
Good:9 Financial Tips for Teens & Twentysomethings
Better:9 Indispensable Financial Tips for Teens & Twentysomethings
Adjectives are a great way to make your headlines stand out in the crowd.
You Can Never Be Too Specific
General words and vague phrases make for boring headlines
The more information you can convey in your headline, the more interest you generate
Personal finance headlines with precise dollar figures perform very well on my blog (but your mileage may vary)
Instead of “Save Money Eating Leftovers” try:
“How Eating Leftovers Saves Me $1400 Annually”
You Can Never Be Too Specific
What’s the Common Theme Here?
My 5 All-Time Most Popular Black Coffee Columns…
1. Threesomes, Facebook Stock & Other Dubious Ideas
2. Why Sex and Personal Finance Don’t Mix
3. Why I Never Tweet Suze Orman
4. Kim Kardashian, the Federal Gov’t & Other, Um, Big Stuff
5. Shoplifting Tips, Poor Financial Decisions & Schweddy Balls
The moral: Sexy headlines sell – even in the world of personal finance.
6 Proven Headline Formulas
1. Say it simply and directly2. State the big benefit3. Appeal to the “how to”
instinct4. Pose a provocative
question5. Bark a command6. Offer useful information
The Ultimate Tax ShelterGet Out of Debt Fast How to Make Money Working from HomeDo You Make These 7 Common Tax Mistakes?Become a Famous Blogger in 60 Days!The Best Kept Secrets in America
Source: Copyblogger.com, “9 Proven Headline Formulas That Sell Like Crazy” by Dean Rieck, 19 June 2009
Formula Headline Example
What About Keywords? Placing keywords in your headlines help search
engines help readers find your article
Long-tail keyword phrases often write themselves:
“How to Get a Free Credit Report”
Avoid minimalist keyword titles ( be specific!)
Instead of “Car Loans” try:
“Car Loans: How to Find the Lowest Rates”
It’s one thing for search engines to find you, but if you don’t write headlines that grab the readers’ attention, your posts will never get read!
Closing Tips
The headline is the most important part of your post; so spend at least 15 minutes on each one
Try to keep your titles to 65 characters or less
Pithiness counts; being concise is a virtue when it comes to writing headlines
Don’t be afraid to use a thesaurus
Speak the language of your audience
Don’t shy away from being provocative
Whenever possible, be painfully specific
Don’t be a bore! Use adjectives to your enhance headlines and make them stand out.
Like it or not, sex sells
Writing headlines for search engines gets you discovered, but writing headlines for readers gets you page views – and hopefully, loyal fans!
Don’t feel pressure to hit a headline home run every time
That’s All Folks!
Thank you for listening!!!
Any questions?
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