A headline is the first and sometimes only thing that a reader sees. It must grab attention, convey the content’s theme and tone, and make readers curious enough to click through to read more. Whether it’s a blog post title, email subject line, or social media caption, an effective headline will drive traffic and conversions.
The best headlines are elegant, capturing the essence of the article or story in a few words. They are also short, and pack a punch. A headline shouldn’t be a snoozefest to read, but it should also not oversell the article.
For example, a news headline like New Limited Scope Rules Benefit Underemployed Attorneys and Overburdened Courts clearly tells the reader what to expect from the article. Adding the term “limited scope” to the headline makes it more attractive to search engines, while a colon at the front of the headline signals that it is intended for readers.
Another great headline formula is the classic how-to headline. By offering readers a solution to their problem or need, this type of headline has been known to increase engagement and click-through rates.
Lastly, consider using a question headline. Questions are engaging and can encourage readers to comment or share the article. They can also be used to highlight important statistics and data that are cited in the article. These are popular among LinkedIn readers. To create the perfect question headline, study your audience’s behaviors and trends on social media. Note which topics, links, and headlines they share most often. This will help you understand the types of questions they want answered, and will give you unique ideas for question headlines.
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