Blog post titles are where many bloggers get stuck. They know the main message they want to send. They write a tight post, ripe with keywords – give themselves a little pat on the back.
Then they stare at the title field wondering what headline would get people to read their enlightening content. If you don’t get the headline right, you might as well be talking to an empty auditorium because nobody’s going to read any further.
Consider your blog post title to be your first impression. You have to comb your hair, put on a slick suit – and smile. Or in the case of your headline, put some shiny keywords in there, speak to the reader’s needs, and be interesting!
Many tests have been conducted on the power of headlines when it comes to blog post titles. If you have a lackluster headline, your links in the body won’t convert because no one made an attempt to go that far.
Likewise, if you post a headline that’s compelling, your link conversion is going to soar – because many people will still scan the headline and a few lines of blog copy before clicking your link to learn more. So what makes an effective blog post title? Here are 4 tips you can apply to your headers:
- Use a numbered series.
Blog readers like posts that are broken up into bite-sized pieces. So if you have a “5 Best Tips for…” or “7 Secrets to…” headline, they know exactly how many benefits they’re going to learn from your post. - Offer up a solution.
Most bloggers create some vague headline that makes readers guess what it’s all about. Be clear and concise – “Fast and Easy WordPress Plug-Ins” or “Solve Your Link Conversions Now!” - Stick some emotions into your headlines.
How many times have you read a “lose Weight” headline that just told how much weight they can lose in what timeframe? There’s a million of these on the ‘net, but few bloggers pull the reader in by playing on their emotions, such as, “Stop Feeling Ugly – Lose 20 Pounds Now!” - Ask questions so they’ll demand answers.
What if I had you read an entire book – except the last page? Or watch a movie – but turn it off before the last scene? With a headline, if you craft it right, your target audience will have to read more – to see it through to the end. A question makes them want to get to the bottom of it, to seek out the answers.
Remember – until your reader clicks through on your link, they’re simply window-shopping. If you don’t have a headline that appeals to them, they’ll shop elsewhere – even if it is only ideas and information they’re shopping for!
