6 tips to write a good article headline!

A great headline is a gateway into a piece of even better content. A blog post or article without one is missing a key element that is fundamental to engaging with an audience. Without a great headline for your content, there isn’t much sense in dedicating ample time and effort to crafting a beautifully written piece. An interesting and compelling headline will entice visitors to click on your work, leading to potential readers as well as lifelong customers.

So, if you’re looking for the best ways to write a good headline, we’ve come up with a few of our own tips and tricks to get the readers rolling in! See below for all of the important information!

6 tips to write a good article headline

1) Use simple language that speaks volumes

Of course, when we’re talking about writing, language is key! Choosing a relatable but intriguing language for your blog titles or headlines will get the point of your content across. This is the best way to engage with users. If you choose words that are basic, uninspiring or unrelated to your content, your potential for new readers will definitely plummet.

Another method to try is using language that works to push your readers towards your content as your number one strategy for increasing visibility. In online marketing terms, this is referred to as a “call-to-action.” For a call-to-action to work, use words that address the reader directly such as “try” or “click.” Another strategy is to address the reader directly using the word “you.”

2) Include keywords in your headline

If you’ve explored online marketing, chances are you’ve heard of how valuable keywords are to increasing visibility as well as gaining a following. The main point of creating content is for people to find it interesting, and thus, each article or blog post should be working towards targeting a specific topic. This is where the role of keywords comes into play, as every headline you write should be targeting a specific keyword.

Not only this, but these keywords should be carefully chosen, as you’ll want to select those with a significant search volume. Keywords with high search rates will help to optimize your content, driving traffic towards your website. However, it is important to note that very heavily searched keywords will be in steep competition with other content that employs them. Therefore, your content will need to be very strong to rank higher.

3)  Make a statement

Making a bold statement in your headline is one of the best ways to spice up your titles and draw readers in immediately. Avoid making a statement that is overly dubious as an attempt to draw people in. Still, be sure your headline includes something opinionated or bold. With a shocking or surprising headline, potential readers will actively seek out your content. Another point is that your headline should leave readers wanting to know more.

However, we should mention that it’s important not to craft a false headline just for the sake of clickbait. Clickbait is a headline that promises something it can’t deliver, so avoid being too controversial or veering too far away from your subject matter. If your content is unable to follow through with what your headlines promise, this will lead your readers to a lack of trust.

Here are a few examples: 

• Company newsletters: are they worthwhile?
• How to write a good meta-description
• How to buy a domain name in just a few minutes

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4) Ask a question

If you think about the way that people engage with search engines in the first place, writing your headline as a question doesn’t seem so out of line. Many users approach Google and other search engines with a single question in mind. Thus, wording your headline in the form of a question can be immediately helpful to your readers, while offering your blog some much-needed visibility.  The instinct for most readers to want to uncover an answer will only be satisfied by clicking your article and actually perusing the contents.

This method appeals to the emotions of the reader and will promise a high click-through rate (CTR) as a result. Again, make sure to be strategic about the way you ask questions and do not ask them in a way that could appear misleading as this will have readers questioning your expertise.

Here are a few examples:

• Social selling: how does it work?
• What is an SEO-optimized article?
• How many blog posts should you publish every week?

5) Include numbers in your titles

It’s likely you’ve scrolled through online headlines and come across many examples that would match this description. Listicles, or articles which present their findings in a list, have been trending for a number of years as they are easily accessible to readers. 

Putting a number value into your headline gives readers something concrete to focus on. This method has been proven to be exceptionally effective due to how easy and compact lists are for the brain to process. Experiment with the option and see what happens! We feel like you won't be disappointed. 

Here are a few examples:

• 5 tips to improve your customer service on the web
• 5 ways to use Facebook Messenger to generate more sales
• 5 ways to optimize your spending on Google Ads (AdWords)

6) Consider length

Now, there isn’t one specific length where your title should remain. However, we recommend that you keep it short, sweet and concise. This is because titles which have less than 70 characters will remain full in search engine results instead of getting cut off at the halfway point.

Also, a shorter title is optimal for sharing on social media and across other platforms. Do some research and look into the number of words in a headline that receive the highest success rate as well as a higher CTR. Also, not every length title is going to be successful on every platform, as longer titles work better on Facebook whereas much shorter titles work better for Twitter. 

Here are a few examples:

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• How to increase your website's visibility
• Remarketing on Facebook: what to know!