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
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Using the knowledge attained through this discussion, propose a new article title as well as a subheadline for this published article at 7 Cups.
Thriving in a Solo Holiday Season
5 Ways to Make your Holiday Isolation be a Festive Distance Celebration
@HachiBee I love that you included the word "thriving". It is such a hopeful and invigorating word. It really makes the whole thing pop.
@HachiBee
it looks really good
@HachiBee What a great title well done!
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Using the knowledge attained through this discussion, propose a new article title as well as a subheadline for this published article at 7 Cups.
Rejuvenating Yourself to Bring Back Joy During Holidays
6 ways to Reconnect with Everyone during Pandemic
@enigmaticpanda4152
Its quite clear and conveys a positive message about rejuvenating oneself and reconnecting during the holidays. Well done my friend 💜
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Finding Joy in Solitude: Creative Ways to Navigate the Holidays Amidst Challenges
Explore heartwarming ideas sourced from 7 Cups members to embrace positivity, connection, and self-care during the holiday season, even in times of isolation and change.
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Navigating Holiday Blues: Heartwarming Ideas for Positivity Amidst Challenges
Discover creative ways sourced from 7 Cups members to shift focus, embrace joy, and build connections during the holiday season, even in times of isolation and change.
Have a Nice Holiday Season by Coping with Your Loneliness Have a Nice Holiday Season by Coping with Your Loneliness
6 different strategies to cope with loneliness so that you can enjoy the holidays.
@ThoughtLight ignore the white lettering. I was toying around with a feature and thought it was erased. Lesson learned.
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Coping with Loneliness During the Holidays:- Loneliness Vs Holidays
Socially Distanced Gatherings:- Connect Apart: Uniting Safely
@CupcakeCaring
Your headlines are relevant and concise. However, I would recommend using the tips you learned in this article.
Consider using “What”, “Why”, “How”, or “When”, or Numbers, or the word “Guide”, or emotional adjectives like “essential”, and “free”, or a “Things I Wish I Had Known”, or words like “tips”, “strategies”, “facts”, “reasons”..etc.
@MarwaneB
thank you 💙
I chose to focus on what I primarily write an advocate for Title: Embracing Your Disability: Finding Creative Ways to Cope
Subheadings:
1. Ways to Feel Connected to Society When You Have a Disability
2. Ways to Embrace Your Disability
- Accessible Friendly Gatherings for Those With Disabilities
- Friendly Community Support
- Embracing Abilities and Overcoming Challenges
3. Exploring New Opportunities with Disabilities
- Finding Purpose and Fulfillment
- Breaking Stereotypes and Embracing Diversity
4. Gaining Understanding About Your Disability and What it Means to You
- Self-Exploration and Self-Acceptance
- Embracing the Journey and Learning from Others
5. Sharing Your Disability Story With Others
- Visibility and Advocacy
- Inspiring Change and Creating a Supportive Community
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Guide to Coping with Loneliness during Holidays:
The 6 Essential Strategies to Survive Holidays Alone
Based on the guidelines shared above, here are some positive and constructive points about @MarwaneB's headlines and subheadlines according to me:
- The title is concise and informative, and it uses the word "Guide" to indicate the purpose and benefit of the article.
- The title uses a colon-separated structure, which is one of the recommended formats for writing headlines.
- The subheadline uses a number to show the organization and specificity of the article, and it uses an emotional adjective ("essential") to appeal to the reader's interest.
- The subheadline also uses a negative aspect ("survive holidays alone") to highlight the problem and the need for the article.
A possible suggestion for improvement would be:
- The subheadline could also use the word "the" before the number, as suggested by the guidelines, to add specificity and clarity. For example, "The 6 Essential Strategies to Survive Holidays Alone".
I hope this feedback is helpful and constructive. I think you have done a good job with the headlines and subheadlines.
Thank you, @ThoughtsBubbleExpress ! :)
@MarwaneB You're welcome! 
@SoulfullyAButterfly Hi, thank you for this post and for the useful tips on how to write headline titles and subheadlines for effective content pieces. I appreciate the guidance and the examples you provided.
I have applied the knowledge I learned from this discussion and proposed a new article title and subheadline for the published article at 7 Cups. Here is my proposal:
- New article title: Feeling Lonely This Holiday Season
- New subheadline: Here Are 5 Ways to Connect and Celebrate
I hope this proposal is clear and catchy. Please let me know if you have any feedback or suggestions on my title and subheadline. I look forward to reading other students' responses and sharing my thoughts with them. 😊
@ThoughtsBubbleExpress
i love your answers, so wise and thought out as always ❤️❤️
@Bunnylovesyou Thank you so much Bunny, I love your answers too, a lot! But most of all I love your profile picture lol 😆 
@ThoughtsBubbleExpress
Ahhh thank you!! @yourcaringconfident made it, it's my bunny jeffy!
New article : Things you need to know about Childhood Trauma
subheadline : Ways to combat loneliness this holiday season
Shift wasnt working, the subheadline is supposed to say : Discover Ways to Combat Loneliness This Holiday Season