The headline is what you write at the top of your blog post.
It’s like a “title,” and it should give readers an idea about what to expect in your content without giving away too much or scaring them off altogether.
If someone reads only the blog headline, they should be able to get a good idea of what you’re writing about.
The title or headline is also the first impression that a blog makes on its readers.
If it doesn’t catch their attention or capture their interest enough to make them want to read more, then there won’t ever be any chance for them to learn about the topic.
And that means you’ve just lost out on a potential customer or client.
The headline is also what will determine whether readers share your blog with their friends and followers, so it can have tremendous influence over how many people actually see your blog post in the first place!
That’s why it’s so important to get your blog title and headlines right. It also compliments your SEO strategy.
To learn more about how you can do that, keep reading!
The Psychology Behind Why People Click On Certain Titles and Headlines
Many people underestimate the power of a good headline.
A lot can be said about great headlines and their influence on whether or not someone clicks through to read an article.
If you’ve ever clicked on a link that changed your life, such as one which led you to this page right now (wink!), then congratulations! You have experienced firsthand the power of a good headline.
There are several factors that make a headline go from ordinary to extraordinary.
What is it about the most successful headlines that makes them so catchy?
Every year, millions of new blog posts are published – and only a small percentage ever go viral.
What makes some headlines get shared thousands or even millions of times?
While there isn’t an exact science to it (it’s not like the clickbait formula that you can simply plugin), we’ll explore what works based on our recent analysis of over 100,000 blog titles and headlines.
Here are some of the psychological factors that contribute to compelling headlines.
Headlines Make Use Of Specificity
Some people think in generalities, while others tend to be more specific when it comes to their thoughts and judgments about things.
For example, if you say something like “I love broccoli,” someone who thinks in specifics might ask you, “What kind of broccoli do you like? Canned or fresh? Steamed or raw? Baked with cheese sauce or as a side dish to your favorite meal?”
The same goes for headlines.
A general headline would be something along the lines of “How To Use Social Media to Grow Your Business.”
This headline does not tell you what the article is about, and it doesn’t make use of specifics that will pique your interest or curiosity.
A specific headline would be something like “8 Ways You Can Use Facebook Marketplace To Double Your Sales.”
The second headline is much more specific, and it gives readers a general idea about what they can expect from the content.
It also uses words that are likely to be familiar to people who use Facebook regularly since “marketplace” refers to one of its features.
It’s less vague than the first headline, and it makes use of numbers to draw attention.
Headlines That Include Numbers Are More Likely To Be Clicked On
People like things that are easy for them to digest, especially when they’re on the Internet where there is so much competition for their time.
Numbers make headlines easier to read because readers can scan over them quickly and get a general idea of what to expect from the content.
If you want people to read your blog post, make it easy for them by including numbers in your headline!
Headlines That Are Inclusive Appeal To A Broader Audience
Inclusion is about making others feel like they belong and are part of something bigger than themselves.
If you say something like “What I Learned From My Boss,” it’s specific and tells the reader that this article is about you and your experiences.
However, if you’re trying to reach a more general audience with your blog post – perhaps because you’re writing for an industry-wide publication or as part of a team behind a company blog – then using inclusive language will appeal to a broader audience.
For example, you could say “What We Learned From Our Bosses” or “The Most Valuable Lessons I’ve Learnt From My Mentor.”
Using the first person singular in headlines can sound too informal for some readers and publications, so it’s important to consider the audience you’re writing for and the tone they like to use in their content.
Headlines That Are Emotionally-Charged Appeal To Human Sentimentality
People like to feel and connect with emotions, especially when it comes to the things they like and share online.
If you say something like “This Is Why You Shouldn’t Take Your Pet To The Vet!” many people will probably find that headline relatable because most pet owners dislike going to the vet (at least in their opinion).
They might also be curious about why you think they shouldn’t take their pet to the vet (especially if they like taking them there), which means they will most likely click on your article.
On the other hand, a general headline such as “How To Take Care Of Your Pet” does not make use of emotions and is less likely to make people curious.
If you want more clicks on your blog post, use emotionally charged headlines!
People Like Headlines That Are Easy For Them To Digest
Things that are easy for the brain to process get shared and clicked on more than things that aren’t as accessible or require a lot of thinking.
For example, if you say something like “How To Make A Smoothie With Four Ingredients,” readers will probably be curious about what those four ingredients are and how to use them.
This makes it easy for the brain as well as incredibly relatable because most people know that smoothies can include a lot of different ingredients – just not necessarily four!
If you want to make it easy for readers and people online, use titles that are simple and relatable.
Conclusion:
Writing catchy blog titles and headlines is so important!
Readers may not always scroll down and read the entirety of your blog post, so how your title will grab their attention and persuade them to click on it.
They may also encounter your blog post through social media, through ads around the web – you want something that’s going to draw people in.
And as much as I like my articles about copywriting, I know that for many of us, writing headlines doesn’t come as naturally as blogging does!
That’s why you need to research, think and craft your blog titles and headlines very carefully.
Ali is a digital marketing blogger and author who uses the power of words to inspire and impact others. He has written for leading publications like Business2Community, Inc. Magazine, and Marketing Profs. When not writing, he enjoys spending time with his family.