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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@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
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
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
@ouiCherie
Oh my!! what a great example, I'm going to copy ehehe
@ouiCherie
It sounds warm and positive - the subtitle especially. I would click! 
@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 ✌🏻😁
@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
@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.
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Thanks! I definitely agree, both switched would look better. Thank you so much for the feedback!
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Title:
Searching for Ways to Overcome Holiday Blues?
Subheadline:
Look no further! Here are 6 simple tips to help you cope
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
@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
@Mel
Thank you for your feedback, it means a lot.
@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.
@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.
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
@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!
@Iamanotheru
The heading and sub-heading were catchy and followed most of the guidelines. Fantastic effort!💜
Aw thankyou so much! 🤍
New heading: How to overcome holiday loneliness.
Subheading: Clues to deal with holiday blues.
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