3 sure-fire tricks to writing perfect headlines

Headlines. For some of us, writing a headline is a task as odious as having to take out the garbage, or pick up after the dog.

Copyblogger says that only 2 out of 10 people read a headline and then continue reading. So all that hard work you’re putting in to that amazing blog post? It might be going unread by up to 80% of your readers. UGH, THEN WHAT’S THE POINT, RIGHT?

Well, the point is to not give up on the blog writing, because creating compelling, helpful content is definitely something you should be doing for your customers. The other, equally important point? You need to write better headlines. Headlines that are compelling enough to get readers to stop, click and keep reading.

Easier said than done, right? Nope! Not if you follow these 3 sure-fire tricks to writing perfect headlines.

[caption id=”attachment_516” align=”aligncenter” width=”449”] You wouldn’t go back on a pinky-swear promise, right? (image via careerealism.com)[/caption]

1. Make a promise to your reader ... and fulfill it

When a customer comes to your site, they are looking for information. They want to know how to do something, and they want you to tell them.

So make a promise to your readers that you’re going to tell them exactly what they need to solve their problem — and then fulfill that promise. That’s really the key to this method.

If you write a post called “10 Tricks That Will Effectively Cure Your Writer’s Block,” you better explain 10 tricks that will cure writer’s block, otherwise you’re a liar, and people hate liars. Most liars, anyway.

Providing the reader with a benefit (such as the know-how to make their lives better in some way) is a great way to build credibility, and prove that you’re a trusted expert in your field.

2. Numbers

A lot of us claim to hate math, but boy, do we love numbers. The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People. “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.” 10 Things I Hate About You.

We also love lists, as the popularity of Buzzfeed listicles has proven, time and again. Seriously, any Buzzfeed listicle that begins “25 Things You Never Knew About” and ends with nearly any pop culture reference (Harry Potter, The Karate Kid, Tom Hanks) will suck me in every time.

So what does this mean for you? It’s simple: Put numbers in your headlines.

“7 Ways You’re Screwing Up Your Tax Returns.” “4 Shocking Secrets About Body Fat Doctors Don’t Want You to Know.” A number indicates that the post or article will be organized and easy to read, and it also tells the reader what they’re in for.

For example, maybe you have the patience to read a list titled “100 Sure-Fire Tips for Planting a Robust Spring Garden,” and maybe you only have patience for “5 Easy Lessons That Will Have You Growing Perfect Tomatoes This Spring.”

3. Use compelling language

Compelling language. No duh, right? But what makes something compelling to a reader when he or she is scanning headlines? I’ve already told you about numbers, but here are some words that can be used to create effective headline combinations.

[caption id=”attachment_518” align=”aligncenter” width=”325”] Cosmo is the queen of using numbers and compelling language. [/caption]

Use one of the 5 Ws (or, four Ws and an H). 

• How to …

• Why You Should/Should Never …

• When to Start/Stop …

• Where to Find …

• What to Do if …

Name your promise.

• Ways

• Secrets

• Tips

• Lessons

• Tricks

• Reasons

• Methods

Add a descriptor.

• Easy

• Effective

• Sure-fire

• Essential

• Amazing

• Little-known

Okay, so now you’ve got a good place to start with your headlines. It’s not as tricky as it seems, right?

If you’re still not sure you’ve got the hang of it, try out the “Headline Scorecard” by Copy Hackers. It allows you to send out your headline to people who will rate it according to five criteria, including “Grabs attention” and “Highlights a Benefit.”

If you’re feeling extra productive, sit down and write a bunch of potential headlines, then send them out for rating. Beats taking out the garbage and cleaning up after the dog.