This is a guest post by Michael Chibuzor from CouponTriumph.com.
What qualities makes a good headline? This post will show you.
Headline is very important and can’t be neglected if you must succeed online. In the internet marketing world, your target prospects are not were you are, they can’t see you except you have your photo. But that does not make any difference because you can clone one (please don’t do that). Lol!
Headlines have soul, spirit and body and you should endeavor to master the lyrics behind a great one. If you do it well, you may as well write your own paycheck. The qualities you have is what makes up your intrinsic nature. It’s not how much deposited in the bank, your assets. No, it’s your worth in terms of good conduct, values and relationship with others.
In this interesting post, I want to share with you the 4 important qualities for writing a good headline. The idea here can be applied to your blog posts, email copies, sales copy, advertising campaigns, AdWords and banner advertising. If you want to make money with niche blogs, you need to write good titles.
Learn. Meditate. Implement.
1. Pique Their Self Interest
Everyone out there who is expected to read your headline and so, your content has a pressing question that needs answer. What’s in it for me is that emotional question and if you can answer it straight away, in an interesting manner, you have won their precious heart.
Don’t go about ranting about your favorite meal or how lovely your wedding was, or would be. Your prospect is a human being. They have blood running down their veins and knows how hard it is to get money – give them a reason to spend it.
2. Deliverability
No one is going to believe you until you deliver on what you’ve promised. But how do you deliver when someone has not even read and taken action? Simple, you can deliver by being “transparent.” Tell your reader or prospect what they will and will not derive by reading your copy.
There is no greater shame than promising something and when someone eventually takes action, disappointment sets in. Don’t let that happen you. It’s not a crime to have one solution, but it becomes a heavy crime when the single solution you have is worthless.
Promise on what you can do and do what you promise. That sounds like New York Times Quote. Isn’t it?
3. Attach Creative Curiosity
It’s not all curiosity that is going to work. The power of curiosity can only be made manifest when you understand the concept behind it. When you use curiosity, make sure they reader can weigh it.
When it sounds too good to be true, it means you’re giving the prospect a reason to doubt. On the long run, curiosity helps and you should incorporate it into your headlines. It’s going to get you more clicks, page views and reduce your bounce rate but make sure you deliver on what you promised.
4. Quick And Easy Concept
In whatever you’re doing, make sure you abide by these rules: Deliver your products in a quick and easy way.
We are living in a tech-age where everything is automated. You don’t have to struggle like your granny to raise a million dollar, unless you’re not skilled and knowledgeable. You can just press the button and Phew, you have the answers.
Make your headline quick and easy to understand. Showcase only a single solution about the topic in question on the headline and nothing more.
Don’t complicate the whole issue. For instance, if you’re writing a step by step tips to doing something, limit the number of tips to 7 or less. Anything greater than this sends a signal to the reader’s subconscious mind that it’s difficult to comprehend. Be quick, be simple and you’ll drive free traffic, sale more of your products and increase your email subscribers.
Marketing Takeaway:
The only word left now is ACTION. All these qualities would make no impact in your business and income until you step out of your shell. Let me know what you think as you share your comment. See you at the top!
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Nice post Michael, headlines can bring in traffic from blog comments as well. I know when I’m reading and scanning comments on blogs I’m visiting I will often click a link from the CommentLuv links when the title catches my eye.
I am a little surprised that keywords never entered the discussion. I always try to work in my target keywords into the title while trying to draw in interest at the same time. People and search engines, right?
I agree that headlines catches the attention and piques the readers interest so it should be unique, full of promise yet simple.
All points are valid. In writing head line has core important. You have often observed that in new papers head lines are always made too hot to attract the customers and for good business of newspaper.
So I shouldn’t clone a picture? That’s great advice! lol
1. To me is saying “Speak to their Heart”… I love that idea! That’s key for sure!
2. Being Transparent – honesty! This is my way of life, indeed. Honesty always pulls through.
3. So the phrase “Curiosity killed the cat” shouldn’t apply here, no killing lol No, seriously though, this is something to pay special attention to.
4. Yes we like things that offer more, in quicker manner, and most effective 🙂
Thanks Michael, well written! I like the humor too.
I’m glad you enjoyed my guest post. Nice to hear your way of life lies in honesty and transparency. Do put to use what you’ve learnt. God bless you.
A headline is what makes a visitor click to a post, so it is very important to write healines that grab the attention of people. In my experience curiosity is one of the strongest feelings that make users click on a title so it is very important to have a headline that act as a teaser but as you mention it is important to deliver on what you promised.
This is SO important. I worked in the newspaper biz for about 5 years as well as in PR, so headlines were super important (at least they were to me). It’s important to use a variety of headline formats (and don’t rely too heavily on one type) and, most important, to be accurate/honest, as already pointed out. It’s disappointing as well as deceptive (thus breaking down the trust) to “tease” your readers into reading your post when it’s just a trick. Sure, they’ll read THAT post but they might not be back. I just read a story today about a baseball player that commented that the fans were not very engaged at a recent postseason game; the headline implied that he was “blaming” the fans for the loss. That was simply not the case…and I felt manipulated. Be clever, be funny, be mysterious, be provocative…but don’t be deceptive or outrageous just for the traffic. It’s not worth it.
That’s an awesome contribution Kristine. Your analogy of the baseball player really struck my mind. I’m totally glad you commented, kudos and have a great day.I’m glad you enjoyed my guest post.
Great concepts. I have had a problem of using bland headlines in the past and I have picked up a couple of things here that I can try out immediately.
Hi Michael,
Valuable tips you’ve cited here. Headlines can definitely make or break your web pages. Ample time should be spent in crafting an effective headline. Great content doesn’t matter if one will not be able to get people to read it. The lack of a persuasive headline will cause visitors to not read on.
Curiosity is definitely a great way to get engaged traffic to read your blog posts.
Each of your headlines must present and promise and then it is your duty as a writer to over-deliver on that promise and choose a suitable action for your reader to take once they have finished reading your article.
You’re most welcome Wayne. Headlines are powerful marketing tools. If you master them, you may as well become the sales machine of multinationals. I also enjoyed your top ten headlines blog, keep up the great work.
Hi Steven,
Title is what determines whether people will read the article or not.
Other thing to get people to read your article or blog;
Provoke with a title that people react to. Ex. “Comments don’t bring traffic”
A statement that we have big differents mind about. Ex.”I can everything about SEO”