Create compelling Headlines with these Simple Techniques

For those who create content are desperate for readers. 

Writing good content is only half the reason readers visit your site. The other reason is headlines.

 I’d say that headlines are a crucial element of your content.

Oh, and by the way….

Headlines are also the most difficult to come up with.

Just like with your content, a headline has particular elements to it. 

No, I’m not talking about sentence structure that you learned in the third grade. What I mean is when it comes to headlines, there are essential techniques you should always include to make them compelling. 

Each headline should consist of the following techniques:

1. Headlines should pique your audience’s interest.
2. Headlines address the audience’s needs/fears
3. Headlines get to the point, show the benefits/solution

Invest in some time to work on your headlines, otherwise your content could be ignored.

Headlines are the new: Judge a Book By its Cover

I know you’ve heard of this when you were probably in middle school visiting the library.

The librarian told you to open the book, explore, and read the first chapter.

Not to make your choice based on the title or book cover, right?

When it comes to content online, people will judge your article based on your headline.

If the headline doesn’t pique curiosity or provide the benefit, readers will not  read the rest of your article.

Creating a headline that audiences want to read requires a break from the normal.

With that being said, if you’re covering a topic someone else has done  approach the topic differently. Create a fresh compelling headline that is different from similar content. 

Try to go beyond a normal search on google. 

Don’t be afraid to get creative with your headlines. After all, the more creative you are, the more enticing the headlines will be.

Once you figure out your formula for creating compelling headlines, you’ll wonder why you couldn’t use it before.

Headline Techniques:

This is the good stuff because not only will you discover the headline techniques you’ve been looking for, but you’re also about to discover how simple these techniques are.

Here’s how you create compelling headlines:

The simple and direct technique

Simple and direct is sometimes the best way to approach a headline.

You don’t try to include any cleverness or cheeky jokes. Instead, you just come out and state the obvious.

This technique works well when you’re working with an already established company or topics that have been covered several times.

The reason this headline technique works:

• Drives traffic to your content
• subject that interests your audience

The reason this headline technique doesn’t work:

It is important to note that this technique doesn’t always work.

• you are looking to sell a new product
• you are writing about a fresh topic

The simple and direct headlines are often the most read and shared because of their simplicity and familiarity with familar topics.

Here are a few examples:

• Black Friday Deals 45% off
• New KKW Eyeshadow in Stock
• How BTK Killer Evaded Police
• King Charles III Crowned

source

The apparent benefit technique.

Regardless of what you’re writing or selling, people will be drawn to content when they know what is in it for them.

• What will they gain?
• What value will this bring to their lives?
• Will they get something for free?

Over the years, writers and copywriters have learned to use this technique to make articles go viral, attracting readers and encouraging them to continue reading.

The essential key is knowing how to turn the benefit into a headline.

This powerful technique benefits your content, website, and business.

Every content, product, or service should have a selling point; if it doesn’t, it might as well not exist.

Why this headline technique works:

• Selling points are highlighted and used as a headline
• Target audience knows what they are getting into
• Clear message for audience on solutions to their needs/challenges

Why this headline technique doesn’t work:

• Your selling point is not clear
• You are not highlighting the benefit
• Your offer isn’t in the headline

Examples:

• Create your blog post in 1 minute with our new template
• Buy 2 comfort Bras and get 1 Free!
• 1 FREE website review, just book Homepage Copywriting Package

Source

The “How to” Headlines

“How to” Headlines are the most popular headlines on the internet.

They are effective because people want to discover ways to improve one part of their lives in one way or another.

For instance, people want to make money, look younger, find their soul mate, etc.

To harness this technique for your content, focus on a need and provide a solution.

Focus on the problem and include the solution in the headline will cause more readers to click and read your content.

They may even try what you’re offering.

Within the content, be sure to subtly talk about what you’re trying to advertise.

Included the advertisement in a natural way, so no one will realize it is an advert.

Formula: \How to + benefit/

Examples:

• How to lose 10 pounds in 30 days
• How to look younger without surgery in 2 easy steps
• How to write a blog post in 5 minutes
• How to create Lead Generations that actually work
• How to increase your SEO ranking with Google in 3 Easy Steps
• How to Grow your Brand without an influencer

Conclusion:

Do not avoid spending time on your headlines, even if you think the one you’ve come up with is brilliant. Sit on it for a minute, and run it through your checklist.

It will help you to grow your list with actual leads who want to hear from you.

Why?

Because you’ve answered questions and you’ve delivered on your promise with your headline.

The advice I’ve learned over the years:

Make a list of at least ten headlines that you think will fit your content….then leave them alone.

Again, run it through the checklist.

Be cautious of crappy headlines on your site. (I get you might have scanned my website or your own and seen a crappy headline or two-crappy is subjective.)

You can’t please everyone, but you don’t want to please EVERYONE, just your target audience.

PS: I’ve learned how to create better headlines through copyblogger.com and by reading “Professional Copywriters’ Effective Formula for writing Magnetic Headlines.”

Reading is fundamental. 🙂