How to Write Killer Headlines

Did you know you should spend at least 20% of your time on your headline? It’s not me who said it. It’s according to brilliant Jon Morrow, CEO of Smart Blogger.

Why is it important?

As you’ve probably guessed — your headline is an entry into your article. This means it should entice the reader to click on it. The more compelling your headline is, the more chances the reader will move past your title to read the actual content.

A poor headline can make or break your story. No matter how many hours you’ve spent crafting your story, if your headline sucks, your story will fail to hit the mark too.

So how do you create the most compelling read-worthy headlines for your articles? Chances are you’ll succeed by applying these 3 rules.

Include a Power Word

Including a power word in your headline can bring it up a notch, no matter what your article is all about.

Just one power word can transform a bland title into a brilliant click-worthy title.

Consider these two headline examples:

3 Ways to Boost Conversions

3 Underrated Ways to Boost Conversions

Which one sounds more enticing? You bet it’s the second one. Adding the power word “underrated” has made all the difference.

Add Benefits In Your Title

The title, just like your article, should be about the reader. That said, it should instantly convey the value the reader will get from reading your article. It should be about them, not about you.

So how do you make your headlines compelling? You do two things:

• Include your target keyword
• Show benefit to the reader

First, include the word “you” or “your” at least once in your title. By including any of these words, you turn the focus to the reader.

Second, to make your headlines punchier, pack them with action-oriented words.

You can convey the benefits either explicitly or implicitly. Explicit benefits are obvious and you say exactly what the reader will get from reading your article. An example of such a headline could be: “How to Increase Your Chances of Producing Viral Content” or “4 Ways to Bring Your Writing to the Next Level.”

With implicit benefits, the benefits are implied. They tap into your reader’s subconscious thought process. An example of this headline could be: “How Workplace Stress Can Affect Your Personality” or “3 Self-Limiting Beliefs That Stop You From Writing." Both these titles hint to the reader they’ll benefit from gaining insights, which will help them avoid making wrong decisions.

When deciding on the appropriate length of your title, don’t make it too long or too short. Sticking to the middle ground will be ideal.

Add a Number When Appropriate

When it’s appropriate, include a number in your headline. Depending on what you write, using a number in your title will help solidify the information of your article and make it stick with your readers.

That doesn’t mean you should always write listicles. For example, you wouldn’t use a listicle format to write a creative nonfiction piece. But when it’s called for, don’t hesitate to use it.

You can use a number when you’re writing an informational article, where you provide tons of useful information. Putting a number in your title makes logical sense.

Numbers work like candy in our brains. In his article 5 Reasons Why Using Numbers In Your Headlines Work, Mike Hamers, explains how numbers are our “Brain Candy.”

“Our brains are attracted to numbers because they automatically organize information into a logical order… like candy for your organizational mind.”

Compare these two examples:

Creative Ways to Use Social Media to Drive Engagement and Traffic.

5 Creative Ways to Use Social Media to Drive Engagement and Traffic.

Just a little tweak of adding a number to our title pushed it up a notch.

Some more examples…

This Easy 3-Step Guide Will Help You Make Money From Writing Fast.

I bet the readers will grab this catchy headline as fast as they’ll grab a freebie.

OR

This Simple Hack Will Help You Save An Extra $200 a Month.

Pro tip: If you’re writing a “How-to” article, limit the number of steps to 9 or fewer.

The Takeaway

The headline is the billboard of your article and the first thing readers see. The more enticing and click-worthy your title is, the higher chances the reader will click on it and read your article. To make your headline engaging, include a power word, convey benefits in your title, and add a number where appropriate.