Are you like me when you decide which articles you're going to read online? I scan down the screen quickly and then choose. Or Not. You see, no matter how good the content of an article, if the title isn't working hard to get my attention, I just won't read it. And I suspect you are the same.
So here are five tips on generating the best possible title for your article.
First – "How To". Now, don't groan. I know that this isn't new. But there is absolutely no doubt at all that How To articles are enormously popular. I know, because I check my article stats so I can tell exactly which of my articles get viewed, and which do not. "How To Find The Perfect Retirement Home For Your Mom" – did you notice something? Not only was it a "How To" title, but I also placed a benefit in the title. Or, "How To Win The State Lottery – Without Losing Your Shirt" is another example.
But wait – did you know that there's a hidden "How To" article title. And this is it. You use numbers as part of your title. In other words, "15 Ways To Find Vital Information About Your Credit Rating" or "32 Suggestions To Make Your Date A Sizzling Success". You see?
Second – Use alliteration. Take another look at that last headline: "32 Suggestions To Make Your Date A Sizzling Success". You can't miss the similar sounding words, can you? We remember lines with similar sounding phrases. Here's another example: "29 Success Secrets For the New Secretary".
Third – Subtitles. Yep – learn from TV and foreign films. In other words, complete your main title with a subtitle, for example: "How To Sell Successfully Using The Telephone – Tips and techniques that really work." Or, "Your Perfect Mind – How to manifest your abundant future."
Fourth – Develop a brand. What I mean is this. If you have an idea for a series of articles that develop a particular idea, why not create a "brand" which will help increase your article titles' memorability and recognition. A good example of this in the bricks-and-mortar world would be the Dummies series of how-to books.
For example, if you have a series of articles that explain to readers how to do different things efficiently, you could create a series of "Super Quick Guide" titles.
Finally, use your reader! This is an incredibly powerful article title technique because it tell the potential reader exactly who the article is aimed at. So "The Dog Lover's Guide to…" or "The Busy Cook's BBQ Tips" or "The Music Lovers Guide To Online Opera" all filter the reader so that they are pre-qualified.
So you see, with a little thought you can make certain that your article title does not let you down. If you get it right, you can really improve your click through rate.
My best to you.
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