Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav

11) Headlining and Sub-Headlining Effective Content Pieces

SoulfullyAButterfly January 31st, 2021

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)

-

This post is brought to you by the Content Development and Marketing Program, find out more information about the program here

510
SassyClassyBrunette February 19th, 2021

@SoulfullyAButterfly

Heading:

Dealing with loneliness during the holidays.

Subheadline:

6 tips to help guide you through holiday loneliness.

1 reply
Daf8 September 7th, 2022

❤️ @SassyClassyBrunette ❤️

❤️ Hi, amazing person! Your heading is direct and concise, which can be very catching for the readers, so that's good! For improvement, I'd suggest optimizing the capitalization. However, I like the way you used the number and the word "guide". Congratulations on your great work! ❤️

load more
azureOwl6812 February 20th, 2021

@SoulfullyAButterfly

Headling:

Making the most of these holidays

Sub-heading:

Gratitude
Staying connected
Safely gathering
Working for good
Exploring new interests and staying busy
Grieving and making peace

CaringBrit February 20th, 2021

title: tips to deal with loneliness during festivities?

Subtitle : Find coping methods to help enjoy the holidays

1 reply
electricWhisper3694 February 21st, 2021

@CaringBrit I like how you gave a question to the user so that they can think about the article before reading it.

1 reply
load more
KristinHelps March 9th, 2021

@CaringBrit I love that your article title is a question instead of a normal title! I also love that you used the word festitivites, it is unique and eye-catching.

The sub-heading title is nice, I would suggest just using "6 Coping Methods to Help Enjoy the Holdays" or even "Coping Methods to Help Enjoy the Holidays" instead of using the word Find. yes

1 reply
CaringBrit March 31st, 2021

@KristinHelps thankyou :) and noted

load more
load more
electricWhisper3694 February 21st, 2021

Feeling lonely during the holidays? How to change it

2 replies
electricWhisper3694 February 21st, 2021

Subtitles:

How we can connect in these hard times

Social distancing: Apart but close at heart

Need a distraction? Try some hobbies

1 reply
February 22nd, 2021

@electricWhisper3694

The title sounds inviting. I would just add one word to it

Feeling lonely during the holidays? Here's how to change it.

load more
load more
February 22nd, 2021

@SoulfullyAButterfly

Title: What are the 5 heartwarming things you can do to cope with loneliness?

Subheading: Holidays can be a lonely time for some. These 5 simple things can help you connect with others and more importantly, with yourself.

1 reply
QuietLotus March 4th, 2021

@DonaldDraper

I like your phrasing of the title as a question. It makes me intrigued and want to know more. Heartwarming is also a lovely word to use. Very inviting. Perhaps you could have made them slightly shorter to stay within the word limit. Well done!

followup March 22nd, 2021

@DonaldDraper

Nice inviting title. Good use of the number and using 'the' before the number.

Subtitle could be shorter

load more
QuietLotus March 4th, 2021

@SoulfullyAButterfly

Chase Away The Holiday Blues

The 6 Essential Strategies To Combat Loneliness

Subheadings:

* Gratitude

* Reaching Out To Others

* Covid-Safe Meet-ups

* Generosity

* Fun Things To Do

* Trips Down Memory Lane

2 replies
sunlightspirit March 15th, 2021

@QuietLotus

I had the same idea for the title...so I came up with something else (Sending Off Those Holiday Blahs)...great minds think alike!

mvpeng March 21st, 2021

@QuietLotus This is great!

load more
RationalMe7 March 8th, 2021

@SoulfullyAButterfly

New Headline: How you can combat loneliness during the holidays

Sub headline: Six proven tips to stay happy

2 replies
shoag March 8th, 2021

@alphav7

Great use of “how” to attract readers

You should use the number “6” instead of the actual word

1 reply
RationalMe7 March 9th, 2021

Thank you, @shoag .

I noted your point smiley

load more
load more
shoag March 8th, 2021

Using the knowledge attained through this discussion, propose a new article title as well as a sub-headline for this published article at 7 Cups.

Headline - Things to Help Fight Your Holiday Blues

Subheading 1 – Count your Blessings

Subheading 2 – Building or Strengthening Relationships

Subheading 3 – Safe Interactions

Subheading 4 – Giving

Subheading 5 – Healthy habits

Subheading 6 – Reminiscing

3 replies
shoag March 8th, 2021

Subtitile- Top 6 Tips to get you going through the Holidays

1 reply
lyricalAngel70 March 9th, 2021

@shoag

Maybe you could have used the "How, What, Why" question types related statement for your main title. For instance, What Are the Things That Can Be Done to Avoid Holiday Blues?

load more
lyricalAngel70 March 9th, 2021

I loved the way you chose to write the title & subtitle. Well done, keep it up! ❤👌🏻

load more
lyricalAngel70 March 9th, 2021

Title: What Are the Ways to Combat Loneliness During Vacay?

Subtitle: The 6 Scientifically Proven Ways to Fight Loneliness

Subheadings:

1) It All Starts With You: Self-Care, Self-Compassion, Self-Love

2) Mindfulness & Exercises

3) Reaching Out to Professionals

4) 5-Mins Gratitude Journal

5) Having A Pet

6) Volunteering

1 reply
Zahraa000 January 16th, 2022

Good choice, 💫

You touched on important subheadings on how to combat loneliness while exercising, the most important of which is that everything starts with you self-care or empathy and self-love, and in fact, every person must start from himself to overcome all obstacles.

MoonlightHelper1 March 17th, 2022

@lyricalAngel70

Great use of subheadings and title! One thing I would suggest is not to say scientifically proven ways because it is not correct - ideas were sourced from chats with members on 7 Cups of Tea, not the research.


load more
KristinHelps March 9th, 2021

@SoulfullyAButterfly

New Article Title: Overcoming Loneliness on Holidays

Sub-Headline Title: 6 Tips for Holiday Cheer

laugh