Blogging is an important part of your digital marketing strategy. Writing good content is important, but if your headline is weak, then no one will read it! A strong headline will help draw in potential readers and improve your click through rates. Here are some tips to improve your blog headlines.
1. Start With a Working Title
One of the most important things to remember is not to stress about crafting a catchy title on the first try. Start with a title that’s general and encompasses what your post is about. After you have a working title you can brainstorm with coworkers and create a catchy title that grabs readers’ attention and still explains the post accurately.
2. Be Accurate
A catchy title is important, but you should make sure that your title accurately explains what your blog post is about. Avoid language that might be misleading to the reader. Make sure your headline gives your readers a snapshot into the article that they will be reading and accurately describes the content.
3. Make it Appealing
To create a strong blog headline, you need to pull the reader in. Make the title clever, use alliteration or other playful tactics. You might also choose to use emotions and strong language to attract readers. Tell your readers you have a way to make their lives better or share a personal story that will draw them in. Lists of tips such as “12 Reasons You Should Recycle” are often attractive to readers, as the posts are organized and easy to sift through. Whatever tactic you choose, be sure to craft a title that will make readers want to click on your headline.
4. Address the Reader
A great way to make readers more likely to click on your headline is to address them directly. Use questions that directly address the reader, such as “Does Your Security System Need to be Updated?” or use statements like “Why You Should Hire a Professional Dog Walker.” When you address the reader directly, they are more likely to feel that the content relates to them.
5. Keep it Short
One big mistake people make when creating blog headlines is writing ones that are too long. A good headline is typically somewhere between 8 and 12 words. It should be long enough to explain the content and draw in the reader, but short enough to avoid confusion and boredom. If your headline is too long, Google will cut it off. You should always avoid headlines that will be cut off in Google, as it will dramatically decrease click through rates.
6. Optimize for Search and Social
It’s important to make sure that your headline is properly optimized. Be sure to stay under character limits, especially when posting on Twitter. Use more action words and less nouns in your headlines, as these types of headlines have proved to improve search rankings and social media click through rates. Include a keyword in your headline as well. Stuffing too many keywords in your title is a bad idea, but including just one will improve your search engine rankings.
ImageWorks, LLC | CT Blogging and Content Marketing
If creating a strong headline seems too difficult, don’t be afraid to call in the experts! ImageWorks, LLC has over 20 years of experience in digital marketing and can craft interesting, informative blogs with gripping headlines that will draw in your readers! If you’re looking for top quality blogs and headlines to grow your business, contact us today!
