So, you want to write an attention-grabbing title for your blog or social media post. But you're unsure of where and how to begin. Worry not! We've got you covered.
But before we jump into the strategies for writing attention-grabbing headlines, let's look at what they are and why you need them.
What is a headline?
The headline, also known as the title, is the first thing your reader will see. Think of it as the hook. It tells the reader what the article or post is about in a nutshell. The goal here is to keep them short, snappy and engaging.
Why do you need a headline?
Have you ever found yourself pausing at a title whilst scrolling? Well, that's why headlines are needed. And not just good ones - great ones! Headlines are the hook used to pique your readers' interest and drive click-throughs.
How to write an attention-grabbing headline
Now onto the tips, you've been waiting for! Here's how you can ensure your title grabs interest and drives results.
1. Make it relevant
Make sure your title clearly summarises what your article is about. It should tick two main boxes:
Tell the reader exactly what the article is about.
Have a hook that sparks interest and gives the reader a reason to read.
2. Use emotion and connect with the reader
You want to not only pique curiosity, but you also want to make the reader feel an emotion that leads to action. For instance, if you are promoting a limited-time offer, use words that evoke a sense of urgency. Whilst some calls to action can be easy to put together others may leave you feeling blank. If you find yourself struggling to find the right persuasive word, the thesaurus is a great place to start! Next, get a second opinion and ask a team member. As they say, sometimes two heads are better than one!
3. Keep it short and simple
Now is not the time for long fancy words and sentences. By all means, be a little creative with your use of words. But remember, your headline should be short, simple and snappy.
Why? For starters, this helps with SEO. Google search results allow for 60-65 words. After which, the words cut off. So, to ensure your entire title tag appears in Google search results - keep it short.
Secondly, as readers, we skim. So, if you want to get your message across loud and clear in a way that drives clicks, make it reader-friendly for the skimmer.
4. Do some keyword research
Keyword research is not only great for SEO. It also helps you discover the topics of interest to your audience. Look for keywords with high volume and incorporate those within your article and your title.
Here's a little tip: try to put the keyword somewhere at the beginning of your headline. For example, if you're writing about recruitment:
'10 recruitment tips for hiring better.'
If you're new to SEO and keyword research, Hubspot provides a useful guide to SEO to help you get started.
5. Use numbers in your headlines
According to psychology, we react positively to numbers. They create curiosity and grab our attention. Here are a few reasons why.
They stand out amongst all the words.
It creates a sense of certainty in knowing what to expect.
It builds a sense of easy, quick scannable reading.
A few short points make things easy for the brain to remember.
Get found on Google and drive conversions
For creative copywriting, get in touch today! And let’s boost those conversions through some creative, engaging words.