5 Powerful Blog Post Headlines
Headlines
Developing effective headlines can be challenging. You often only have a limited amount of time, space and words to grab someone’s attention in that very first instance. As you plan your content, choosing the right headline is vital for attracting readers. If you can build an intriguing headline that stands out and makes readers want to know more, you can grow a bigger audience for your marketing content.
Studies show that eight out of 10 people will read only the headline but not the rest of the copy. A headline is your online or printed content’s leading title and first focal point. Because it’s typically at the top of the page in a larger font than the rest of the copy, it’s the first thing that will draw digital readers’ eyes.
In many cases, your audience will glance at it and decide whether they want to keep reading or not. The headline may also be the only section they read completely — they might simply skim the rest of the article.
Blog Post Headlines
The Question Headline
They are powerful because they imply they’re answering a burning question for the target reader. To write a successful question headline, focus on the relief that the answer to the question (i.e. your blog post) will bring to your digital reader. Make sure you’re not asking a question that your target reader thinks they know how to answer. If they feel like they can get away with not reading it, they’ll likely skip it altogether.
The Benefit Headline
It addresses a huge pain point that creatives experience: the writer’s block. However, it doesn’t just say you’ll learn how to overcome writer’s block — the headline gets specific and tells you it only requires three hours a day. That transformation to a master copywriter sounds realistic; the headline didn’t offer some magic, instant solution. The focus on three hours a day implies a process you can implement with a clear goal. Write your benefit-focused headline with a vivid pain point and end result in mind.
The Proof Headline
The reason the proof headline works is obvious: it backs up the content of the blog post. Just like testimonials and customer success stories, it tells us this blog post is worth our time and energy. The “backed by science” element could also appeal to those readers who have searched for similar tips before, but were disappointed by bogus claims and superficial tips. The “happiness hack” implies that the tips in these posts are easy and a shortcut, rather than a complete life overhaul. Your proof headline can rely on industry reports, statements from experts and leaders, and other resources your audience inherently trusts.
The “How-to” Headline
It represents actionable steps to get better at something. You must use the wording that you’d use when asking that question. This is essential because it matches the search intent and search terms the target audience uses. However, this comes with a challenge; every other article on the topic does the same.
To make your it stand out, ask yourself, “How can I make it stand out and feel relevant, timely, and valuable?” It can be added a reference to specific cover letter type, the current year, and the examples.
The Number Headline
They are powerful because they give us a frame of reference. You can talk about ideas, steps, tips, ways, reasons, examples, and more. Certain topics naturally lend themselves to a number headline. Research some popular terms in your industry to find them. For example, if people search for business ideas, living room decor examples, or hiring process steps, a number headline is a great option. When choosing your number, make sure it matches the topic and digital context. If you’re listing steps of a process, 30 will sound overwhelming to the reader. If you’re talking about ideas, five may be too few.