11) Headlining and Sub-Headlining Effective Content Pieces
Article titles (headlines), as well as subheadlines, are one of the first things a reader reads.
In this discussion, we will understand effective strategies to write headline titles as well as subheadlines to these titles.
Some general tips include:
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Avoid long article titles: try to fit the title within 62 characters or limit it to 5-7 words.
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Consider using “What”, “Why”, “How”, or “When” as these are catchy and add to curiosity.
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Use Numbers - numbers ensure the availability of organized information, and are generally liked: using Odd Numbers in the title has helped in terms of SEO. Remember to write the number itself (5 instead of five).
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To add specificity, consider using “the” before the number.
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Provide an answer to why people should click and read your content: words like “tips”, “strategies”, “facts”, “reasons” all help provide a rationale.
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Include the word “Guide” where applicable.
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Consider using emotional adjectives that describe the topic. For example, “essential”, “free” etc.
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Consider outlining Negative aspects - spin this to meet mental health content goals. For example, The 5 Essential Things You Did Not Know About Depression.
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Use common words to ensure people understand and grasp the topic while finding the title simple
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Consider using a “Things I Wish I Had Known” approach to content if applicable.
How to test your headline as being unique:
Copy and paste your headline with quotation marks into the Google search bar. (e.g. “The 5 Essential Things You Did Not Know About Depression”) - if the results come back as “no results found”, your headline is unique!
Helpful Resource: Useful Title Capitalization Tool
Note: The bottom line to success in terms of marketing and content is to ensure that your content body reflects the great headline/title. It might be worth considering to write final titles after the content body.
Subheadlines: Effective subheadlines summarize the content body while also linking it to the title.
Activity
Using the knowledge attained through this discussion, propose a new article title as well as a subheadline for this published article at 7 Cups.
Reply to at least one other student’s response and share your feedback with them
(Edited by @SoulfullyAButterfly: 12/2/2021 to clarify "subheadline" instead of subheading)
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This post is brought to you by the Content Development and Marketing Program, find out more information about the program here
Using the knowledge attained through this discussion, propose a new article title as well as a subheading for this published article at 7 Cups.
Creative Celebrations of Holidays in the Current Covid Times
Subheadings-
Showering Gratitude
Reconnection
Covid-Friendly Gathering Ideas
Volunteer to Help Yourself via Helping Someone
ReDiscover Hobbies
Making Peace with Memories
@Fristo
What a festive title, and the subheadings are very clear.
@Fristo
Relevant title and easy to understand subheadings
@Fristo Great title - really adds curiosity - As for subheadings, I did mean "subtitle" but those are great subheadings as well!
@Fristo Great Job.
@Fristo
The title and subheading help makes everything clear! Great job!
@Fristo
A nice way to rephrase the headings ,easy to understand what the article is about!
@Fristo
You've lightened the best perspective for these times in just a few words. For sure is an emotional touch for anyone who's seeking guidance !
@Fristo great heading and easy to understand subheadings :)
@Fristo
strength: Loved the subheadings as they are concise yet catchy
weakness: the title could be a bit more catchy by adding numbers or the 'wh' or how questions.
@Fristo
I like the sub heading that speak out of the article content.
@Fristo
I love your response! Thank you for sharing.
@Fristo
Festive and intriguing titles. Simple and to the point. Nice job :)
@Fristo
I liked how you used simple, yet eye-catching words! It catches the reader's attention to make them inclined to read the article. Good job!
@Fristo
@Fristo very positive, light engaging headings!!! will surely read this article :)
@Fristo
I really love this title! I feel like it is fun an engaging and I think that your subheadings are really good too!
@Fristo
I like the title-perfect for the holidays, and the sub-headings are very creative.
-Kpopcat2020
@Fristo Your title and the subheading are to the point and eye-catching. Well done!
@Fristo
A creative title and subheading are clear and straightcut enabling the reader to develop a general idea on what the content can be about
@Fristo I love it 💜
@Fristo
I like the article title and the subheadings as they get straight to the point.
with that being said, the article topic was a create choice being it was still during the beginning of covid.
@Fristo love this
@Fristo
You have such a great way of connecting with an audience, not only does your title gain interest. The subheading titles also keep this audience engaged in your article. Great Work!
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Using the knowledge attained through this discussion, propose a new article title as well as a subheading for this published article at 7 Cups.
Main title: Facing Loneliness During the Holidays
Subtitle: 6 Tips to Get You Started
@SynSavory
I really like your subtitle, it's very sweet and friendly. Well done! 
@KatherrinneP
Thank you - I figured that I keep it simple and easy.
@SynSavory great example of how we could of course add the numerical bit onto our subtitle - however, in general, we usually use it for the very first heading/title of the article in light of SEO purposes -- regardless, this is still a great method for general articles. for example, one's that won't have lists but still have a certain number of points.
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Ohhh I see.
@SynSavory love both the title and subtitle great job no improves right on brief
@CaringBrit
Wow! thanks!
@SynSavory
Simple and sober!
@greatfulPassion
Thank you!
simple and kind heading and subheading
@SynSavory
That's so good simple and short is easy to reaf
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Heading
The 6 exciting ways to cope with festival loneliness
Sub headings
The "Holiday Blues" challenges
Ideas to cope effectively
@blissart
I love in your sub heading you made it a challenge! That would definitely increase interaction and encourage people to actually take part in it!
I also love the use of the word exiting in your title, it indices the reader and makes them want to read more!
Great job 👏
@blissart I really like your new title, especially the use of the number to represent a list as well as the word "exciting" to help click it too after wanting to relate. However, I highly suggest using the capitalization tool for Titles. Your's would read: The 6 Exciting Ways to Cope With Festival Loneliness
As for subheadings, I did mean "subtitle" but those are great subheadings as well!
@blissart
I loved how you used the number rightly to make the headline attractive.
Great job, Bliss.
I like this one it’s short and gets to the point. I need to work on my skills.
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Using the knowledge attained through this discussion, propose a new article title as well as a subheading for this published article at 7 Cups.
Headline: Why You Shouldn’t Be Ashamed of Asking for Help.
Subheadline: I Will Guide You in This New Chapter.
@KatherrinneP Your headline uses the question word "why" to increase attractiveness and has good capitalization. The subheadline is usually de-capitalized though. Also, I think they should be more linked to the holiday and Covid themes, as those are the main subjects in the article.
@KatherrinneP
The framing of the headline & sub headline is good. It can be easily read.
Would have been better if you included the COVID angle to it as well. As it's a recent article.
Title: 6 Tips to Chase Away the Holiday Blues
Subheading: Practical ways to enjoy the holiday and stay safe
@FinleyTews
The title is eye-catching. The "Blues" stayed in my head when I wrote my first title. Sorry that I sorta borrowed your idea.
@FinleyTews great use of the number and the words "chase away" to gain interest - the subtitle summarizes the article very well too
@FinleyTews
A catchy title with the use of "chase away" phrase
Subtitle could be more empathetic
Title: Survival Tips to Beat Your Holiday Blues
Subtitle: Break the Isolation Spell Inside Out
I can't delete my first post. So I am editing it a bit.
Title: Lonely Holidays Survival Tips
Subtitle: Break the Isolation Spell Inside Out
@WendinCaring Your subheadline sounds quite attractive. Both the titles are on point. It's okay if you also use "holiday blues", it's a common phrase :)
@WendinCaring I really like the subtitle, the title is also great for a general piece but perhaps could use restructuring to include a number? How does "6 Survival Tips for Lonely Holidays" sound to you?
@SoulfullyAButterfly
That sounds better.
Article title: How to overcome feeling somber and secluded
Subheading: Several Covid friendly tips and tricks
@Azalea98 nice take on both the headline and subtitle! As the article is about the holidays perhaps adding that bit into the heading "secluded during the holidays" could help -- I would also like to recommend checking the capitalization of your heading - yours should read "How to Overcome Feeling Somber and Secluded During the Holidays"
@Azalea98 Nice heading! Like Soul said, might be useful to focus on the holiday aspect of the article to embody it in your headline! Thanks for sharing.
Headlining and Sub-Headlining
Effective Content Pieces
Using the knowledge attained through this discussion, propose a new article title as well as a subheading for this published article at 7cups
Loss of Freedoms, during COVID Times
Subheadings-
Limited travel
Must have a mask on in public
Very limited people interactions
Closed Borders
@Happy900
Feedback: Straight to the point, so this should save the readers' time. Personally I think they can still be more creative and shortened, but still good.
@Happy900
I love this proposal! For the sub-headlines I would suggest to switch up the wording to make it "Coping with limited human interaction!"
Article title: 6 Steps to Re-Colour Holiday Blues
Subheadings:
Give Thanks
Thanks, Technology!
Brand-New Gatherings
Kindness Begin in YOU
My Favourite Things
I'm Here
@11820Read Great use of incorporating a number as well as using a positive word "recolor" that definitely helps add curiosity too. As for the subheadings, these are great - the lesson was updated to reflect the need for a "subheadline" to summarize the article but these are great too!
