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
Topic: Why feel blue for the holidays when there are 6 easy mechanisms to turn that frown into a smile
Sub - Topic: Six (6) Ways to cope during the holidays
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Title
Ways to avoid feeling lonely during the holidays
Subheadlining
Things to do when feeling alone
Safe socializing
Keeping the holidays alive during lockdown
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Heading: Your Guide to a Holly Jolly Holiday Season: COVID 19 Edition
Subheadline:
Staying Positive, Reaching Out to Your Community, and Giving Yourself your Well-Deserved Self- Love
@CoffeeAddict07
I love the rhyme 'Holly Jolly' in your title. Makes it unique :). And your subheadline is too straight to the point and summarises the article well!
New Article Title:
Conquering Holiday Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Subheadlines:
-Being Thankful
-Connecting and Re-Connecting
-Gathering While Apart
-Volunteering for Others
-Discovering Hobbies
-Making Happy Memories
@Kpopcat2020
I really like the last one, 'Making happy memories.' It's very active and hopeful!
@Kpopcat2020 I love the sound of these subtitles! It definitely fits in with the article.
Title: Holiday Ideas During the 'New Normal'
Subtitles:
Practicing Gratitude
Getting in Touch
Apart but still 'A Part'
Lend a Hand
Bucket List and Adventures
Going Down Memory Lane
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Title: 6 Ways To Cope With Holiday Blues
Subheading: exploring ways to overcome loneliness during festivals
Creative ways to overcome the feeling of isolation
I think your title is good for SEO, particularly as it begins with a number.
Heading:
How to make solitude feel like harmony this holiday!
Suheading:
The 6 Serotonin boosting ways to spend your holiday whilst alone.
- Practicing gratitude to lift your spirits
- Strengthening connections with communication
- Being there to help another
- Brushing up your skills or developing new skills
- Self reflection
@alex000
I love your creative title! Definitely caught my eye.
Also, great usage of numbers and keywords in the subheading.
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Heading: A Guide To Helping You Cope With Loneliness (Holiday Edition)
Subheading: Six Tips To Help You Get Through This Tough Time
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Feeling alone during the holidays
lonliness during the holidays
issolated during the pandemic
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Don’t Neglect These 6 Tips to Combat Loneliness
Exploring ways to overcome loneliness during the holiday season