One of the worst things you can do when crafting a blog post (or, for that matter, an email, ebook, webinar, etc.) is to give short shrift to your headline. Unlike writing for something like a magazine, your headline is often the one shot you have to sell your post and draw in readers. And those who read your headline? Only 20% will click through to check out the article.
Regardless of whether people see your headline in search engine results, in their email, or through social media, it has to be compelling so that people will not only click through to read the article, but will also share it. The following tips will help you to punch up your headlines and turn them into winners.
Pitch To Your Audience
Keep your audience in mine when you craft your headline. What are they looking for? What are they afraid of, concerned about? What do they want? Similarly, use “you” or “your” in the title to address them directly. You’ll get the reader’s attention if you use the 2nd person (you) in your headlines.
Make Your Headline Into A Question
A question mark in your title will catch the reader’s eye, and asking them a question will help to draw them in. What is the answer? They’ll have to click through to find out.