While we're told not to judge a book by its cover, let's be honest—we often do. Your headline is the first thing people see, and based on that, they 'judge' whether or not to spend their time reading your articles.
So, you’ve spent hours working on an article, you're excited about it. You upload it to your site, hit publish, waiting for the views to come in and then... crickets. I get it, I've been there too, and it's not a pleasant experience. But don't worry, there's a solution, and I'm here to guide you through it!
I'm going to share my top 10 tips to help you not only increase your views but also keep people coming back for more.
What Are The Types Of Blog Headlines?
Before delving into the art of crafting great headlines, let's first explore the different types of headlines. Understanding these approaches will provide you with insight into the direction you can take when creating titles for your blog.
Let's take a look at each of them to help you choose the most effective approach for your content.
Educational Articles (How To)
Opt for "How to" headlines when your blog intends to educate readers about a specific process or skill. This approach is effective in capturing the interest of users seeking step-by-step tutorials to address particular challenges.
Listicle Articles
When creating listicle posts that enumerate various items or tips, opt for a headline starting with a number. The list format enhances the readability of longer articles, and studies indicate that articles structured as lists tend to garner significantly more page views than those without.
For Example: 10 Proven Customer Retention Strategies
Interview Articles
When highlighting an individual or company in your blog posts, make sure to include the person's name or the company name in the headline, especially if they are well-known.
Also consider using terms like "Sit-down," "Chat," or "Interview" in the title. In our case, we've hosted insightful podcasts featuring influential figures with digital marketing expertise.
Opinion/Review Articles
Opinion blog posts are where writers express their personal thoughts on a specific topic. Engaging, controversial, or thought-provoking headlines are effective for these types of articles.
For Example: Last Week, I Tried X Brand and Here’s What I Think!
Comparison Articles
In a comparison blog post, writers compare two or more items. These posts serve as valuable content for individuals in the decision-making phase of their journey. Headlines often incorporate the word "versus” or “or”.
For Example: What's Better - Organic or Paid Ads?
Case Studies Articles
When working on blog posts that narrate a client's journey, detailing a challenge they overcame with your assistance, ensure your headline includes specific numbers. It should vividly showcase the tangible results the customer achieved.
For Example: Transforming Success: How Social Media Marketing Skyrocketed a Small Business's Sales by 50%
Beginner’s Guide Articles
When creating blog posts to introduce a topic to newcomers, incorporate terms like "Beginner's," "101," and "Starter" in the headline. This helps clearly signal that the content is tailored for those who are just starting out.
Ultimate Guide Articles
For blog posts that extensively cover a topic, offering a comprehensive overview, incorporate terms like "Complete," "Ultimate," and "Everything" in the headline. This format is recommended for tackling complex subjects with in depth information.
10 Tips To Get More Views On Your Blog
Now that we’ve covered the types of blog headlines, let's jump into why you’re actually here. Here are 10 tips to help you create attention-grabbing headlines and boost your blog views:
Use Numbers
Incorporate numerical values in your headlines. For example, "10 Proven Ways to Boost Blog Traffic" immediately communicates the value and structure of your content.
People are drawn to lists and specific, quantifiable information. Numbers in headlines provide a clear structure to your content, making it easy for readers to grasp the key points and encouraging them to click for more details.
Use a Question
Questions directly engage readers and prompt them to think about the answer. It creates a sense of curiosity and makes readers feel involved, increasing the likelihood that they'll click through to find the solution or answer within your blog post.
As you can see here, the combination of asking a question and incorporating a definitive number really intrigues anyone who comes across this title.
Highlight Benefits
Clearly stating the benefits of reading your blog post in the headline is a powerful way to attract readers. People are more likely to click if they know what value they'll gain from investing their time in your content.
For Example: Boost Your Survey Responses With These Proven Tips!
Create Urgency
Urgency in headlines encourages readers to take immediate action. Whether it's a time-sensitive offer or a compelling reason to act now, incorporating urgency can drive clicks by creating a sense of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out).
Be Specific
Vague headlines can be easily overlooked. Being specific in your headlines gives potential readers a clear understanding of what your blog post offers, making it more appealing and relevant to their interests.
For Example: Cut Your CPC Costs In Half With This Easy Step
Anyone who comes across this headline will understand that this is a clear guide to reducing advertising costs. The mention of 'Cut Your CPC Costs In Half' communicates a specific benefit – a significant reduction in cost-per-click expenses.
The use of 'Easy Step' implies that the solution is straightforward and actionable, enticing readers to explore the content for practical advice on optimizing their advertising cost.
Use Power Words
Power words are emotionally charged terms that evoke a strong response. Incorporating these words in your headlines can create a sense of excitement, urgency, or curiosity, making your content more compelling.
Address Pain Points
Identifying and addressing the challenges or problems your audience faces establishes a connection. Readers are more likely to click if they feel your blog post addresses a pain point they're experiencing.
To find out what pain points your clients are experiencing, look at competitor reviews. For example, if you’re selling coffee and you look at a competitor’s site and a client complains about the coffee being too sweet. In your headlines, you can use:
"Bitter Brew Blues? Our Coffee Delivers the Perfect Balance You Crave!"
Bitter Brew Blues: Addresses the pain point (bitter taste) mentioned in the competitor's review.
Our Coffee Delivers: Promises a solution to the problem, highlighting the improvement in the taste.
The Perfect Balance You Crave: Reinforces the idea that the coffee being offered strikes the right balance, directly addressing the client's concern.
The headline not only acknowledges the pain point identified in competitor reviews but also presents the product as a solution, making it more compelling for potential customers seeking the perfect coffee experience.
Create Intrigue
Creating intrigue involves teasing your audience with a hint of something fascinating or unknown. This sparks curiosity and encourages readers to click through to discover the full story or solution you're offering.
For Example: Is Instagram’s Threads The New Twitter?
Employ Alliteration
Alliteration involves using the same initial consonant sound in a sequence of words. It adds a rhythm and memorability to your headline, making it more likely to stick in the reader's mind. Like this:
"Crafting Captivating Content: Cracking the Code for Click-Worthy Campaigns"
Crafting Captivating Content: The repetition of the "c" sound in "Crafting" and "Captivating" constitutes the alliterative pattern.
Cracking the Code: The alliteration continues with the repeated "c" sound in "Cracking" and "the Code."
Click-Worthy Campaigns: The alliterative effect is maintained with the repeated "c" sound in "Click-Worthy" and "Campaigns."
In this example, the repeated "c" sound not only creates a rhythmic flow but also makes the headline more catchy and memorable. Alliteration is an effective tool for enhancing the overall appeal and retention of a phrase or headline.
Keep It Short
In today's world, where attention spans are short, concise headlines are key. A brief, clear headline communicates your message efficiently and is more likely to capture the reader's attention.
For Example: URL Slugs For SEO?
Final Words
As mentioned earlier, headlines serve as the gateway to your blog. If you find yourself struggling with low views, fear not. Armed with these 10 easy headline tips, you now possess the tools to captivate your audience and drive traffic.
Remember, crafting compelling headlines is a learning journey, so don't hesitate to experiment and discover what resonates best with your audience. With these tips up your sleeves, you're well on your way to breaking through the noise and capturing the attention your blog truly deserves. Good luck!
SO, WHERE DO YOU FIND THIS PARTNER?
Well, aren’t we glad you asked! We at DigiCom are obsessive data-driven marketers pulling from multi-disciplinary strategies to unlock scale. We buy media across all platforms and placements and provide creative solutions alongside content creation, and conversion rate optimizations. We pride ourselves on your successes and will stop at nothing to help you grow.