Just because you write a blog post, doesn’t mean people read it.
In our noisy, everyone-wants-attention kind of world, even brilliant writing goes unnoticed without a genius, breakaway title.
So I started paying attention to titles. ...I wanted to know the secret.
I watched how successful bloggers titled their books, posts, and podcasts.
I searched for lists, hacks, cheat sheets, and swipe files.
I practiced what I learned, and noticed an instant jump in my clients’ traffic.
Boom. Results.
I’d love to share what I learned so you can rock your own titles and get your own results.
Okay, let’s get to the steps to writing a killer title.
In our noisy, everyone-wants-attention kind of world, even brilliant writing goes unnoticed without a genius, breakaway title.
So I started paying attention to titles. ...I wanted to know the secret.
I watched how successful bloggers titled their books, posts, and podcasts.
I searched for lists, hacks, cheat sheets, and swipe files.
I practiced what I learned, and noticed an instant jump in my clients’ traffic.
Boom. Results.
I’d love to share what I learned so you can rock your own titles and get your own results.
Okay, let’s get to the steps to writing a killer title.
Step 1: Know your topic and summarize in a single sentence.
This is no time to be flowery or vague. If you call your post “a glimpse of things beyond” or “behind closed doors”, no one will know that you’re really trying to write about some of the scariest bathrooms you have seen during your realtor career.
Be specific. This sentence should include:
- The Subject.
If you’re talking about some of the scariest bathrooms you’ve ever seen, say that.
Example: The Scariest Bathrooms Known to Man – a Photo Tour
There is no question what the post will be about. - A promise.
What benefit can the reader expect from your post? The title should let them know.
Example: The Scariest Bathrooms Known to Man – a Photo Tour
The reader knows exactly what they can expect – entertainment, shock, horror, and up close photos. Eww. - Emotions.
As mentioned above, don’t forget to appeal to the emotions.
Example: The Scariest Bathrooms Known to Man – a Photo Tour
Readers know by this title, that your aim is to gross them out while amusing them at the same time.
You can find title templates and headline hacks galore if you look for them.
For now, here’s one versatile formula you can use to create countless killer titles. Write to Done cites it as a proven formula that goes like this:
[number] + [adjective] + [topic] + [item] +[optional: benefit/urgency/curiosity] = viral headline.
Examples:
40 Formulas for Killer Blog Post Titles
Five Quick Self-Edits to Improve Your Writing (Video)
4 Compelling Reasons Real Estate Agents Should Blog
Just remember to change it up. Even a creative formula can get boring from overuse.
Use it as a guide, but keep learning.
Effective headline writing is an art. Learn. Practice. Don’t think any one formula is all you’ll need.
Step 3: Emotional Manipulation ... Er, I Mean Appeal
One of the biggest secrets I learned from the pros is to appeal to readers’ emotions.
But not just any emotions.
The secret, according to viral content researchers Katherine L. Milkman and Jonah Berger, is to use activating or high arousal emotions.
Want your titles to get clicked? “Make it emotional – ideally triggering emotions like anger, anxiety, or awe that tend to make our hearts race; and if you can, make it positive.”
Appeal to readers’ curiosity, awe, surprise, fear, anger, or joy, and you’ll have the makings of a viral title.
There you go.
You have now received the riches of a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the secret of writing killer titles.
Still not sure what to write?
Could you use 40 Formulas for Killer Blog Post Titles?
As luck would have it, I’ve just compiled just such a cheat sheet for you.
Aren't you lucky?
Check it out!
