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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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azuladragon34 August 31st, 2021

@SoulfullyAButterfly

Heading: Creative ways to enjoy the holidays

Sub heading: Six ideas to combat holiday loneliness

1 reply
aliceaspiringpsychiatrist September 11th, 2021

@azuladragon34
Hey, great job!
I love love love the subheading!
For the title I personally would have included a hint at the loneliness, but that's just my opinion.
​​​​​​​Awesome!

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aliceaspiringpsychiatrist September 11th, 2021

@SoulfullyAButterfly

Title: HOW TO COPE WITH COVID-19 INDUCED LONELINESS DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Subheading: How to be thankful, how to stay connected while social distancing, how to distract your mind to find relief and so much more!

1 reply
JustLikeMellie October 10th, 2021

Awesome! Makes me want to read the article :)

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Textingpals September 26th, 2021

@SoulfullyAButterfly

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

Answer:

Headline: Alone during holidays? Here's what you need to know to beat it.

Sub-headline: 6 powerful tips I wish I discovered before.



1 reply
JustLikeMellie October 10th, 2021

@Textingpals love this :)

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alexandra0321 October 5th, 2021

Title: All I Want for Christmas Is... People?

Subtitle: How to cope with loneliness during the holidays

I'm wondering if the title is too provocative... Would you read an article with this title, or should I have been a little softer?

1 reply
amazingNutella24 December 7th, 2021

@alexandra0321

Alex, hey hey! I love your title! It's very catchy and highly creative without a doubt! 💜

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JustLikeMellie October 10th, 2021

@SoulfullyAButterfly Ways To Handle Holiday Loneliness

emotionalCurrent5586 October 26th, 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.

The Journey of an overseas Mother.

Top 10 coping mechanism to fight loneliness in a foreign land.


1 reply
SoulfullyAButterfly OP November 7th, 2021

@emotionalCurrent5586 I am interested about how the "10" comes in - how have you counted the mechanisms?

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WhiteRoses25 November 7th, 2021

10 Reasons to Be Resilient with Anxiety.


How to overcome anxiousness.

1 reply
SoulfullyAButterfly OP November 7th, 2021

@WhiteRoses25 I am interested in how you counted 10 mechanisms in this article - apart from that, I think your subheadline as well as the mention of "resilient" in the headline is great!

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amazingNutella24 December 7th, 2021

@SoulfullyAButterfly

Oh, this is an amazingly creative activity! Love it, Soul 💜

Headline: Catch the 5 Ways to Not Let COVID Wreck Your Holiday Plans

Subtitle: Here’s How to Gracefully Combat Holiday Loneliness!

2 replies
optimisticMoment4139 December 21st, 2021

nice work

GoldenNest2727 December 27th, 2021

@amazingNutella24

I like this one! You used an odd number and it encourages the reader to continue on for tips. It might be a little long, though. Your subtitle is exceptional.

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optimisticMoment4139 December 21st, 2021

Title : Reasons why you should be arround people during the holidays


Subtitle : Tips to enjoy your holiday and fight the isolation

1 reply
29amy December 28th, 2021

@optimisticMoment4139

I love that the title gave away a significant point discussed in the article - being with others and providing the discovery of how it helps. However, I think that the article is a little too narrow and didn't include all the points like hobbies and distractions that can be done alone, the same goes for memories and thankfulness.

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GoldenNest2727 December 27th, 2021

Are You Feeling Lonely This Holiday Season?
Discover ways to fight loneliness this season

Gratefulness

Community Spirit

Gathering Safely

Help Others

Fun and Games

Memories (best option in my opinion)

1 reply
bubblingSea6361 December 27th, 2021

@GoldenNest2727 I like the use of the question in the title! Though perhaps it could be a little bit shorter (:

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