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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)

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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

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AnisiaCocanMA March 15th, 2021

Guidance for Solving Anxiety With Self Awareness

s: Quick tour of your inner resources

given article : How to enjoy the lonely times

s: Find happiness in little things

sunlightspirit March 15th, 2021

@SoulfullyAButterfly

(New Title and Subtitle)

Sending Off Those Holiday Blahs

"Ideas I Wish I Had Know To Do"

mvpeng March 21st, 2021

@SoulfullyAButterfly

When You're Alone for The Holidays

Stay Connected From Afar

followup March 22nd, 2021

@SoulfullyAButterfly

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

HOW DO WE DEAL WITH LONELINESS?

LETS FIND OUT BEST COPING TECHNIQUES FOR LONELINESS.

optimisticDay8079 March 29th, 2021

Main title: How to overcome loneliness during the holidays

Subtitle: Tips to start

1 reply
IceCream4IceCream April 18th, 2021

@optimisticDay8079

I like that your title was relevant which made it easy to figure out what the subject of the article is.

Maybe it would help to add more power and sentiment words?

https://www.isitwp.com/headline-analyzer/

https://capitalizemytitle.com/headline-analyzer/

MizuKagami May 1st, 2021

@optimisticDay8079

Hey,

I like the main title you proposed. It has a How-to form, which makes readers want to engage with it.

I think the subtitle is a bit weak compared to it though. Perhaps you could use some words that capture more attention or give a direct tip instead.

blindHeart12 June 5th, 2021

@optimisticDay8079

"tips to start" is good subheading as tips word catch people attention.

though it left me a question mark what to start.. .

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Clarisse29 March 31st, 2021

@SoulfullyAButterfly

(heading) 6 Ways To Better Celebration During Covid

(subheading) Reducing Loneliness and adding joy in life amidst the pandemic

IceCream4IceCream April 18th, 2021

@SoulfullyAButterfly

Headline: Feeling Lonely During the Most Beautiful Time of the Year? Subheadline: The Ultimate Guide to Coping During Holiday Season

1 reply
cuteeeezombieeee July 18th, 2021

@jovialButterfly6752
Starting the title with a question is a great idea as it is more likely to draw attention. I loved how the sub-headline gives the reader a brief idea of the article!
Good job!heart

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FrenchToast April 19th, 2021

Headline: How to cope with holiday blues?

Subheadline: Finding comfort in celebrating holidays in solitude

BeamsOfHope00 April 28th, 2021

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

6 Things to do for the Holidays During COVID-19

Learn how to cope in the holiday season

1 reply
wagwanianPA May 11th, 2021

Really like how you used the tips given in the post to make your headings. However, I do see that your capitalisation isn't too good. Maybe you can try reading the APA style manual on how to properly capitalise titles and subtitles :)

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MizuKagami May 1st, 2021

New article title: How to replace loneliness with joyfulness this holiday season

A couple of proposed subheadlines:

Virtual meet-ups

Giving back to your community

1 reply
VerseArt May 9th, 2021

Hello @MizuKagami

I really like the second subheadline- Giving back to your community. If I had to choose between the two, I'll go with that :)

I also like how you refer to change loneliness into joyfulness. The word joy brings back the holiday spirit!

KACOSMIC July 30th, 2021

@MizuKagami

Hey there, i liked very much your new article title... you did a great work mentioning how to replace something negative into a positive one.smiley​​​​​​​

The only thing is that you could do more was mention more than two subheadlines.

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