Words are important and your headline features the most important words on the page. Your headline is the thing that must catch the user’s attention and draw them into reading the rest of the content on the page. Do not underestimate the power of your headline and a quality content writer, they really do have the ability to make or break your content.

Data from the American Press Institute shows that up to 60% of Americans purely read the headline to get an idea of what’s going on, as opposed to reading things further. On top of this, our attention spans have never been shorter, so we really need a headline to hook the user.

So let’s get stuck in, shall we? Check out some of my top tips for creating engaging headlines:

1. Keep it Short and Sweet

Being concise and to the point is essential. The actual length of your headline matters, so aim for around six words, or under 70 characters, as this gives the most punch. Longer headlines can also work, as long as the message is concise.

2. Use Numbers

If you are writing a list article, for example, then the use of numbers is a must. It is also super simple to add as well! People are naturally drawn to numbered headlines because they know more about what’s in store for them and they can more easily scan the article.

3. Write For Your Target Audience

This one requires a little bit more work because you should understand who your target audience is in the first place. Once you have that nailed down, make sure you stick to it. Think about how your target audience usually communicates and then write in a way they understand and that appeals to them.

4. Make Use of Power Words

Snap, bang, pop! Utilising power words can really make all the difference with your headlines. Words that incite emotion will usually stand out from the rest. Don’t be afraid to spice things up with words like “free”, “guaranteed”, “amazing” and others similar. This will provide more motivation for users to read what you have to say.

5. Provide a Reason to Read

Why should a person read what you have to say over a competitor? This is why you should think about providing a reason in your headline why users should read your content. For example, providing a solution to a common problem your users are facing can be a great place to start.

6. Test Headlines

If you have the time, testing your headlines is an excellent idea. Measuring the success of your headlines helps you further improve future headlines. These days, it’s pretty easy to A/B test different headlines and digest the data it provides. Once you’ve found the winning formula for your target audience, stick with it!

If headline creation or even general content creation isn’t your thing, don’t worry because it’s my thing and I’m your new copywriter who is happy to help you out 💗