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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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kindLemonade July 14th, 2021

@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

1 reply
kindLemonade July 14th, 2021

@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



@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  

 

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ouiCherie July 14th, 2021
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
2 replies
kindLemonade July 14th, 2021

@ouiCherie
Oh my!! what a great example, I'm going to copy ehehe

1 reply
ouiCherie July 14th, 2021

@kindLemonade
Be my guest Lemo 😁 and thank you for the comment! 💜

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Matej45678 July 23rd, 2021

@ouiCherie

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

1 reply
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Star996 July 16th, 2021

@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


2 replies
SoulfullyAButterfly OP July 16th, 2021

@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.

1 reply
Star996 July 16th, 2021

@SoulfullyAButterfly

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

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cuteeeezombieeee July 18th, 2021

@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
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
2 replies
Mel July 31st, 2021

@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

1 reply
Matej45678 August 1st, 2021

@Mel

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

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KACOSMIC July 29th, 2021

@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.

1 reply
RainyThoughts August 10th, 2021

@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.

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Mel July 31st, 2021

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

@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!

2 replies
KiaraB26 August 1st, 2021

@Iamanotheru

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

1 reply
Iamanotheru August 1st, 2021

Aw thankyou so much! 🤍

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KiaraB26 August 1st, 2021

New heading: How to overcome holiday loneliness.

Subheading: Clues to deal with holiday blues.

twilight000 August 4th, 2021

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