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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This post is brought to you by the Content Development and Marketing Program, find out more information about the program here
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Main Title: How to overcome the feeling of solitude during holidays!
Subtitle: Practice 6 simple methods and squash your loneliness issues.
@greatfulPassion I love your subtitle :)
@greatfulPassion
Really like both your title and subtitle. They are both straight to the point and easy to understand.
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Holiday Blues? Here's how to treat yourself.
Your guide to celebrating with a cheer.
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Heading: Suffer from Loneliness During the Holidays?
Subheading: How to combat loneliness during the holidays due to Covid-19
Using the knowledge attained through this discussion, propose a new article title as well as a subheadline for this published article at 7 Cups.
Article Title: 5 ways to feel less lonely during Holiday Season
Subheadlines:
- Practice gratitude
- Connect with closest people to you
- Suggestions on Social Distancing events
- Volunteer
- Do activities (alone or with someone)
- Acknowledge your feelings
@RainyThoughts
I love the original thoughtfulness in your response!
Using the knowledge attained through this discussion, propose a new article title as well as a subheadline for this published article at 7 Cups.
Title: A Guide To Explore Yourself In Covid
SubHeadline: 6 Surprising Ways To Explore Yourself In Covid
@Damonchandio
amazing title and subheadline. good job.
@Damonchandio
It is great how you used the word guide in your title. It gives the reader an idea that the article contains some professional knowledge.
The word surprising indicates that there could be something out of the ordinary contained in the article.
Well done.
@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.
Dealing with the holiday blues
The 6 engaging ways to eliminate loneliness
@amomtessa
I really like your titles/subtitles because they are consise, yet unique.
Good job! ❤️
@amomtessa
Tessa, those are a great Title and subtitles. The headline is clear, it engages, it is well-balanced. Headline appeals equally to people's intellectual, empathetic, and spiritual spheres. Also great job with avoiding passive language. It is also a nice number of words, however, you might increase the number of characters to boost your rankings and click-through rate. Next time you may try adding emotion and power words to increase clicks. People react more actively to things that make them feel something. The subtitle is a very good fit. It explains the title, names the benefit and reflects the content of the article. Fantastic work!
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Article Title: How to spend your holidays the happy way during the pandemic?
Subheadline: 6 Golden Rules of Holiday Happiness
@SheAlwaysListens
I would click on this article right away. Love it!
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Headline: Having A Blue Christmas?
Sub-headline: Five Tips to having a Holly Jolly Christmas
@Lannylistens So creative, I loved loved loved it!
Struggling with Loneliness During the Holiday Season?
The Essential Guide to Surviving the Holidays This Year
@considerateOrange2567
Hey! I loved your suggestions. Personally, I wouldn't include "this year", because I think it's a little bit redundant, but I would click on this article 😊