How to Write a Good Headline
When it comes to online articles, the competition for clicks has never been fiercer. The Washington Post alone publishes 500 articles per day. That’s why it’s so important to spend time brainstorming your headline. Here are a few tips.
Get with the Times
Readers are more likely to click on something that resonates. But today, “top of mind” topics can change from hour to hour. So keep up with current news and ask yourself if your headline will make readers care in the moment.
Don’t Get Too Cute
Punny, fun headlines definitely generate clicks, and of course, it pays to be creative. But make sure your efforts to be clever don’t obscure your message. Run your headline by someone who hasn’t been thinking on it as long as you have, and make sure they get what you’re going for. Nothing is worse than a joke that has to be explained, and when it comes to headlines, writers never get the chance to explain.
Be Short and Sweet
With all the content out there, you only have a few seconds to grab a reader’s attention. If your headline even looks like it’s going to take more than one degree of mental effort, a reader is likely to move on. So keep your headlines short and don’t use frilly, fancy words.
Every time you generate a headline you are entering a competition for attention. If you keep that in mind, you’re sure to win over readers.
