In a world driven by social network and search engine marketing, you live and die by headlines.
Today’s social media blogosphere discussion revolves around content marketing, but little is said about the actual headlines.
Too bad. Writing great headlines matters more than ever.
Attention spans have shrunk, and if you can’t interest someone right off the bat with a great, witty headline then you won’t get read. It’s as simple as that.
Here are some basic tips to write great headlines:
1) Active versus Passive
Strong editors push you to activate sentences. It makes for a quick fun read.
People want exciting, fun titles, too.
Active headlines inspire emotive responses. Passive titles bore readers, who then pass on your content to visit someone else’s site.
By eradicating passive headlines, expect to increase click-throughs by at least 50%. I’m not kidding.
2) Add Drama
Let’s be honest. A dramatic or sassy headline works. It gives your content an edge.
You can call it tabloid writing.
I call it interesting. Who wants to read boring business content anymore?
How exciting are annual reports or press releases? Oh boy! No thanks!
That doesn’t mean write sexual double entendres into every communication. You may not like what you get back!
Plus, great writers infuse edginess and excitement into their writing without resorting to juvenile tactics like cursing, etc. This is a great segue for…
3) Authentic Headlines
Your headline serves as a preview. It needs to accurately describe content.
Try to avoid teasing readers into a false experience. You want them to come back, right?
Write authentic headlines that relate to your copy. Further, back the headline up right away in the first paragraph with a great thesis statement.
4) Cut the Fat
![Writing is precious [173/366]](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7255/7432243790_948262cdff.jpg)
My dad used to be managing editor of the Philadelphia Daily News. His mantra? Cut the fat!
What can you cut? How can you strengthen a six word headline with a tighter four word piece? What phrases can you replace with a new singular word?
Take the time time to relentlessly review and cut the fat.
5) Intentionally Open Ended
Use a phrase, question or even one word as the headline.
It depicts part of the story, but is also open ended, teasing a reader, drawing them in.
When you go abstract, your content must be well described so the headline resonates and satisfies.
What would you add to these five headline tips?
This post is a rewrite of one I wrote three years ago on the Buzz Bin.