Blogging, like any sort of editorial or news based content, requires the continuous recruitment of eyeballs in order to make it profitable. Because of that, if you can’t get visitors to click through and read your posts, then you’ve not only lost eyeballs, but a valuable opportunity to retain a new reader.
Why is it then that So Many Bloggers
Use Headlines that Suck?
Can you imagine opening a newspaper and reading vague and ambiguous headlines, or a magazine cover that boasted of an article title that was 3 sentences long? If your headlines suck, then people won’t read, and that means no readers, and no money.
Let’s Fix Them
Right Now !
1. Your Headlines Should Be Clear
I should know what your article is about without needing to read an excerpt or view an image. Your headlines should tell me exactly what I’ll find when I click through. If it doesn’t, or worse, lies to me, then…
I’m Out of There !
2. Your Headlines Should Be Concise
I know you have a lot to say, but don’t say it all in the headline. Use your headline as a teaser, not as an excerpt. If you can’t fit it on one line, then start over and re-write it. There are exceptions for great copywriters, but we’ll leave those…
For Another Day !
3. Your Headlines Should Be Compelling
Which headline sounds better to you?
“7 Ways to Improve Your Life”
or
“The 7 Secrets of Highly Successful People”
The first one is something I pulled out of my rear, and the second is the title of a best-selling book. I think you know which one has a greater impact. The first is plain, and sounds like a million other blog posts. The second has me comparing myself to successful people and wanting a piece of the action. Headlines need to get people past the cover page and into the content, or…
They Are Useless !
4. Your Headlines Should Be Realistic
(Photo Credit to: xxchange)
Don’t try to fool me with a headline like “10 Ways to Be Rich Tomorrow.” It’s a cheap ploy designed to get page views that comes off as amateur and less than thought out. Your readers are not stupid, so…
Don’t Treat Them
Like Children !
5. Your Headlines Should Be Creative
Don’t copy the same headlines you read on other blogs unless you want to be seen as a copy or another voice in the echo chamber. Don’t be afraid to be different and original, and if you must offer a take on an already exhausted headline, then…
Mix it Up to
Make it Fun !
If your blog post is a book, then the headline is the cover. Remember the saying about judging a book by its cover? Guess what…contrary to advice, most people continue to do just that, so fix up your headlines and I guarantee that your blog will see much higher page views, time on page, and returning visitors than ever before.
Stay Frosty,
The Bad Blogger
Also Known As “The Headline Blogger”
Article by Wong Chendong aka The Bad Blogger
This bad boy delivers the oohs, ahhs, and woes of money matters like any man would... rough. He's frank, to the point and likes it raw. There's no sugar coating here, except for the taste of sweet success and the beautiful women who love it just as much. TheBadBlogger.com is a blog pictured and accented with the likes of lovely ladies and while the dames tend to be a delightful distraction, The Bad Blogger always takes care of business first.Find out how you can improve your marketing tactics, money matters and blogging techniques by Subscribing to his RSS Feed to get the latest update of his blog post or go direct to his blog at www.TheBadBlogger.com. You may reprint this post provided you leave the content, links, author, and "about the author" section at the end intact.
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{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
Ha ha ha! Its very interesting article and you make me smile wong, thanks
Twitter: TheBadBlogger
May 11, 2011 at 6:28 am
No problem, just one question, what is it in the content that make you smile?
I am a pro search engine that’s why my headlines contain the main keywords and the subject of the article. Also I see to it that my title concurs to the long tail keywords of search engine searches. Yeah sometimes it looks boring but sometime I put something attractive into it.
Kira Permunian recently posted..Find All Answers in Blogging by Jane Sheeba
Twitter: TheBadBlogger
May 11, 2011 at 9:55 am
Well, it’s true that putting keywords into the title is boring and you had to put something to make it attractive, do you mind giving an example?
Another great one on the spot. Literally, what would be the purpose of creating a blog when it contains such crappy headlines, right? It would only make those readers feel a bit of disappointment knowing that your post title aint that good enough.
Argie Monroy recently posted..Increase Your Alexa Ranking in Few Days Time
Twitter: TheBadBlogger
May 11, 2011 at 10:00 am
Actually the title may not be the best but it doesn’t mean the content suck too, the main goal of creating a good headline is to get more eyeballs to view and read which in this case you get more traffic and may be more shares and tweets.
So having a good headline is just like having a good intro, and without a good intro like you say what’s the purpose of creating a blog when it contains crappy headline?
So, what’s the best headline had you ever seen that actually caught your attention?
Haha definitely! I actually, all the great blogs I’ve found so far don’t have these attitude – the crappy headlines. Man, they’re all eye-catching. And you are definitely on the list Mr. Wong !
Argie Monroy recently posted..You Don’t Want a Dead Blog- Do You
Twitter: TheBadBlogger
May 11, 2011 at 3:59 pm
Oh, thanks, I’m glad to hear that I’m on your list for good headlines…
Twitter: techcrates
May 11, 2011 at 2:57 pm
Headlines play an important role….. Strongly agree with your point that the headline should be small and eye-caching
Twitter: TheBadBlogger
May 11, 2011 at 4:04 pm
Thanks for agreeing with my points, just a question, what’s the best headline you had seen that actually caught your attention, mind sharing?
Twitter: techcrates
May 11, 2011 at 7:57 pm
Well in your blog, the best headline to grab my attention was “7 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Rejected Guest Post!”
Tech Crates recently posted..Monitor Display Upside Down – Fix it
Twitter: TheBadBlogger
May 11, 2011 at 9:58 pm
Wow… thanks for sharing and your answer is a great benefit in helping me craft better headlines in the future, hopefully the content for “7 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Rejected Guest Post!” is also well written. Thanks.
Twitter: couponseasy
May 11, 2011 at 8:14 pm
Titles are always very important as they attracts targeted visitors plus also force your loyal readers to read your post.
Riya recently posted..HostGator Coupon Codes- Latest Promo Discount Vouchers Daily Updated
Twitter: TheBadBlogger
May 11, 2011 at 10:00 pm
Ya, titles are very important as that is the first thing being read, so do you mind if I ask you which headline on my blog get’s you the most attention?
Twitter: couponseasy
May 12, 2011 at 5:43 pm
Sure, Why not.
It’s “Does Your Blogging Headlines Suck? “.
Riya recently posted..HostGator Coupon Codes- Latest Promo Discount Vouchers Daily Updated
Twitter: TheBadBlogger
May 12, 2011 at 7:12 pm
That’s a nice reply…lol
I think you just need 1 more – “Headlines Must Be SEO friendly & Optimized” – it can be hard to create an interesting and catchy headline that at the same time is well optimized for Search Engines but its very important. The keyword optimization will help you get at the top of search engines while the “awesomeness” of the headline will get people to click on it.
I would actually add one more thing….Headings should have Capitalized words. I hate headings where only the first word is capitalized or none of them are.
AJ Clarke recently posted..5 Free Copies Of Cart66 WordPress Ecommerce Plugin Courtesy Of AppSumo 89 Value
Twitter: TheBadBlogger
May 12, 2011 at 1:29 am
I’m not an SEO expert, so I’m not sure about whether or not my titles are good for SEO, but I do agree with what you said about headlines must be SEO friendly and Optimize, if you don’t mind, would you share some advice on how to have a good headlines? And if possible giving some good examples.
Oh ya, I too hate headlines where the first word is capitalized, I mean it give me a feeling that the author doesn’t look into having a good headline.
Initially, headlines would be most important part of the blog so have to give attractive title for the blog post. so only, all the people would be attract by your blog post. Thanks a lot for given blog post on here
Twitter: TheBadBlogger
May 13, 2011 at 7:39 pm
Yes, headlines are important, well that’s what the newspaper is the biggest selling papers on earth, just imagine newspapers with headline, I don’t think anyone would be interested, so what’s the best headline that had attracted you so far?
Twitter: ExtremeJohn
May 13, 2011 at 9:55 pm
Headlines are a brief summary of about 4-5 words of your blog post. If you fail to do it, then chances are that the whole post will be a failure. That’s just so disastrous. You mentioned a lot of good points here Wong.
Extreme John recently posted..About Dropbox and How It Can Help Your Business
Twitter: TheBadBlogger
May 13, 2011 at 10:35 pm
Thanks John, and believe me “Extreme John” is a great unique way to get people’s attention, I was pull in to your blog by your name juts to be honest, because I was thinking what sort of extreme you go and I was shock while scrolling your blog post because of some of your nice and sort of sexy pictures and the way you present yourself. Well, have you ever came by any headlines you just can resist but read on?
Title is good if they words in it can attract the readers and the keywords can attract the search engines…So, while writing a title, people need to consider both of these points
Shaan recently posted..Can You Make a Living Through Professional Blogging
Twitter: TheBadBlogger
May 18, 2011 at 6:20 am
Well, you are right both points are important and sometime I just can’t think of a good title and usually either one is chosen.
Those are nice tips Wong! As for my experience, it’s harder to improve a headline and make it, like what you’ve said, clear, concise, realistic, compelling and creative than to simply create one. For me, plain headlines are easily done by just understanding your content. But the challenge (and the most important) is how to make it interesting.
Twitter: TheBadBlogger
May 26, 2011 at 6:26 am
Ya, the biggest challenge is to make it interesting, and the words being use in a headline are important too. So, which headline had you came across so far that makes you read it, mind sharing?
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