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11) Headlining and Sub-Headlining Effective Content Pieces
SoulfullyAButterfly January 31st, 2021
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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:

  • Avoid long article titles: try to fit the title within 62 characters or limit it to 5-7 words.

  • Consider using “What”, “Why”, “How”, or “When” as these are catchy and add to curiosity.

  • 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).

  • To add specificity, consider using “the” before the number.

  • Provide an answer to why people should click and read your content: words like “tips”, “strategies”, “facts”, “reasons” all help provide a rationale.

  • Include the word “Guide” where applicable.

  • Consider using emotional adjectives that describe the topic. For example, “essential”, “free” etc.

  • Consider outlining Negative aspects - spin this to meet mental health content goals. For example, The 5 Essential Things You Did Not Know About Depression.

  • Use common words to ensure people understand and grasp the topic while finding the title simple

  • 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

496
Sunisshiningandsoareyou August 19th, 2021
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Aw hey Aria , firstly it is so great to see you in the CDM program ! Good luck ❤ you'll rock it ! And thankyou for your detailed comment on my title ~ I really appreciate you highlighting the strengths and suggesting what could have been better ! @AriadneLove
Thankyou for the kind words and encouragement hehe, super appreciated ! Looking forward to see yours tooo 😃

AriadneLove August 19th, 2021
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@Sunisshiningandsoareyou Aww thank you, Sun:) This is my very first day on trial as CDM Mentor, so I do not have high rocking ambitions yet,main goal is not to do harm and see if I am a good fit :)

Sunisshiningandsoareyou August 20th, 2021
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I am certain you'll do well as a mentor, best wishes ❤ @AriadneLove

azuladragon34 August 31st, 2021
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@Sunisshiningandsoareyou

I love the heading and sub-heading. Both give a casual and friendly vibe to the article.

Sunisshiningandsoareyou August 31st, 2021
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Hey @azuladragon34 , thanks for your feedback ❤ much appreciated!

GoldenRuleJG January 26th, 2022
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@Sunisshiningandsoareyou Sun I love the use of a rhetorical question for the heading. The sub-heading has spunk to it and you have successfully managed to capture readers interest through doing this . Well done 😀

Sunisshiningandsoareyou January 26th, 2022
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@GoldenRuleJG

Aw thankyou very much for your kind feedback, Golden! Greatly appreciated! ❤

sophiasanae July 13th, 2021
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@SoulfullyAButterfly

Headline: 5 Startling Effects of COVID-19 On Your Mental Health

Sub-Headline: Cultivating a healthy mindset in isolation

Star996 July 17th, 2021
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@sophiasanae

Headline: 5 Startling Effects of COVID-19 On Your Mental Health

The number, as Soul said, can of course attract audience. And if I were a person who saw this, I would click on it straightaway!

Sub-Headline: Cultivating a healthy mindset in isolation

I liked how the sub-headline basically supports the statement the best. Loved it!

sophiasanae July 17th, 2021
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@Star996
Aw thank you so much!

Star996 July 18th, 2021
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@sophiasanae

laughheart

kindLemonade July 14th, 2021
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@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.

My answers:

Title:
How to Uplift Your Holidays During COVID-19?

Subheadline:
Tips for coping with social isolation

kindLemonade July 14th, 2021
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@kindLemonade

Title:
How to Uplift Your Holidays During COVID-19?

Readability: 64

SEO: 64

Sentiment: 50


Subheadline:
Tips for coping with social isolation

Readability: 56

SEO: 60

Sentiment: 40



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@kindLemonade

i like your title you chose using  how , i think it is the core of the article is to explain ways to defeat loneliness

subheadlines you mentioned another title , i would prefer to divide it to summarize the content body . 

i think you are doing well you inspired me to do mine  

 

ouiCherie July 14th, 2021
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The 6 Ways to Enjoy Holiday in Covid 2021
Super Creative Ways to Spend The Holiday

🖊 Title:
Unique for Google SE - 7/14/2021
Readability: 71
SEO: 69
Sentiment: 60

🖊 Subtitle:
Unique for Google SE - 7/14/2021
Readability: 70
SEO: 73
Sentiment: 62
kindLemonade July 14th, 2021
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@ouiCherie
Oh my!! what a great example, I'm going to copy ehehe

ouiCherie July 14th, 2021
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@kindLemonade
Be my guest Lemo 😁 and thank you for the comment! 💜

Matej45678 July 23rd, 2021
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@ouiCherie

heart It sounds warm and positive - the subtitle especially. I would click! laugh

ouiCherie July 23rd, 2021
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@Matej45678 thank you so much for the kind words 💜 and I would be interesting to read ideas on how to have pleasent time while being alone ✌🏻😁

Star996 July 16th, 2021
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@SoulfullyAButterfly

Title --> Ways to enjoy your holidays without blues
(I have no idea if it's good enough, hehe)

Score -->

Overall --> 69
Readability --> 71
SEO --> 69
Sentiment --> 66

Subtitle --> 6 Ways to Kick Away your Blues Pleasantly

Score -->

Overall --> 70
Readability --> 80
SEO --> 69
Sentiment --> 60


SoulfullyAButterfly OP July 16th, 2021
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@Star996 looks great, I would recommend switching the subtitle as the title as it also has a number and a great word "Kick Away" and so can increase SEO + is the first thing readers get to see, the subtitle can be a great supporting summary to the title.

Star996 July 16th, 2021
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@SoulfullyAButterfly

Thanks! I definitely agree, both switched would look better. Thank you so much for the feedback!

cuteeeezombieeee July 18th, 2021
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@SoulfullyAButterfly

Title:
Searching for Ways to Overcome Holiday Blues?
Subheadline:
Look no further! Here are 6 simple tips to help you cope

Matej45678 July 23rd, 2021
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Title:

6 Ways to Add Warmth to Your Holidays

Readability: 88
SEO: 73
Sentiment: 54

Subtitle:

Having a Pleasant Time While Being Alone

Readability: 82
SEO: 60
Sentiment: 70
Mel July 31st, 2021
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@Matej45678 Wow! I really liked these headlines! Great job. Good use of SEO as well as sentiment and readability.

I would also look into adding if possible "how", "what" or "when" phrases as that really bumps your article search. Anyhow, you did a really great job with this exercise. Congrats!

and in the end the love you take, is equal to the love you make. - Mel, 7Cups Ambassador

Matej45678 August 1st, 2021
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@Mel

Thank you for your feedback, it means a lot. heart

KACOSMIC July 29th, 2021
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@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.

Loneliness on holidays - Know that you are not the only one.

Subheadings-

Mental health care strategies.

Use these feelings as a motivation for better development.

Encourage community participation even online.

Reframe life plans and strategies associated with the pandemic.

Re-evaluating relationships.

RainyThoughts August 10th, 2021
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@KACOSMIC

All of the titles seem very unique and catchy. I think they are very effective and can help the reader to find the parts that would help them the most.

Mel July 31st, 2021
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Headline: 6 Steps to Not Feel Lonely During the Holidays

Subheadline: Short simple guide to cope with loneliness during festive times

and in the end the love you take, is equal to the love you make. - Mel, 7Cups Ambassador

Iamanotheru August 1st, 2021
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@SoulfullyAButterfly

Propose a new article title as well as a subheadline for this published article at 7 Cups.

Headline:
Want to make these holidays happy?

Sub-headline:
Best 6 ways to get rid of loneliness this holiday!

KiaraB26 August 1st, 2021
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@Iamanotheru

The heading and sub-heading were catchy and followed most of the guidelines. Fantastic effort!💜

Iamanotheru August 1st, 2021
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Aw thankyou so much! 🤍

KiaraB26 August 1st, 2021
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New heading: How to overcome holiday loneliness.

Subheading: Clues to deal with holiday blues.

twilight000 August 4th, 2021
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A new title:
Celebrating The Holidays During The Covid-19 Pandemic

Subheadings:
- Gratitude
- Connecting With Others
- Celebrating Through Social Distancing
- Volunteering
- Skills To Try
- Memories From Before

greatfulPassion August 6th, 2021
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@SoulfullyAButterfly
Main Title: How to overcome the feeling of solitude during holidays!
Subtitle: Practice 6 simple methods and squash your loneliness issues.

milkoreos August 9th, 2021
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@greatfulPassion I love your subtitle :)

SheAlwaysListens August 25th, 2021
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@greatfulPassion

Really like both your title and subtitle. They are both straight to the point and easy to understand.

milkoreos August 9th, 2021
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@SoulfullyAButterfly

Holiday Blues? Here's how to treat yourself.
Your guide to celebrating with a cheer.

Brinaa101 August 9th, 2021
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@SoulfullyAButterfly

Heading: Suffer from Loneliness During the Holidays?

Subheading: How to combat loneliness during the holidays due to Covid-19

explore1000 August 10th, 2021
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@SoulfullyAButterfly

Title: Beating COVID's Social Reign on the Holidays!
Socially Distanced Gathering subtitle: Staying 2.5 Turkey Heads Away in Gatherings

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