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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

508
zaatarHoney April 26th, 2023

@SoulfullyAButterfly

Complex-PTSD: Healing Made Possible in # Steps

What is Complex-PTSD?

Well, that explains a lot but what does this mean for me now?

Will I ever heal from my past?

VinylFly April 28th, 2023

Loneliness and Holidays During Covid

How to cope with loneliness during the holidays in these unprecedented times

Practicing Gratitude

Connecting With Others

Getting Together While Socially Distancing

Giving Back to Your Community

Distracting From Negative Thoughts

Acknowledging Your Feelings

1 reply
kindEyes9789 May 1st, 2023

@VinylFly Great job on the proposed title and subheadlines! Here's my feedback:

I love the subheadlines. The title is clear and concise, but I think it could be improved by including emotional adjectives to better engage the reader. You can also use numbers in the title, for example: 6 Ways of Fighting Loneliness During the Covid Holidays. With a few tweaks to the title, I hope it can be more effective in connecting with the readers. Good luck!

starsnnights June 24th, 2023

@VinylFly

Hey your title as well as the subheadline are very simple and to the point. I like the fact that you have made them catchy yet very simple so that people would try and read the article.

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kindEyes9789 May 1st, 2023

Combating Holiday Loneliness: 5 Ways to Find Connection

Subheadlines:

Virtual Gatherings

Gratitude Practice

Creative Outlets

Outdoor Activities

Community Support

1 reply
walkalot June 13th, 2023

@kindEyes9789

Hi KindEyes, I believe the sub-headline is supposed to be the sentence that comes directly after the headline, which is different from section headings. Nevertheless, your section headings are good, but I still think you are also supposed to provide a sub-headline.

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walkalot June 8th, 2023

Proposed new title: "6 ways to cope with loneliness during the holidays"

Sub-headline: "Holidays, while fun, can also be challenging or sadness inducing. Mitigate the negative feelings by using these well-tested strategies."

starsnnights June 24th, 2023

@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.

"A Helpful Guide: Things I Wish I Had Known About Navigating Loneliness During the Holiday Season" (Title)

"Discover 6 Effective Ways to Enjoy the Holidays Despite Loneliness" (Subheadline)

1 reply
JusticiaPrimalDorogo June 24th, 2023

@starsnnights

The titles are according to the rules. Just, try to keep them within 62 character limit.

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JusticiaPrimalDorogo June 24th, 2023

@SoulfullyAButterfly

H1 The top 6 ways to battle loneliness on holidays

H2 Be grateful for the people in your life

1 reply
JusticiaPrimalDorogo June 24th, 2023

@JusticiaPrimalDorogo

H2 correction Why you should be grateful for people in your life

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blindDaisy9121 June 30th, 2023

@SoulfullyAButterfly

"7Cups Community - We're here to listen! "

Subheadings-

  1. About 7 cups and what we can offer (Listeners, Members, Experts)
  2. 7 Cups community guidelines
  3. Forums, Group chats
  4. 7 cups academy, training and certification
  5. How does it feel to be a part of it.


SilverSeastar August 8th, 2023

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

  • Title:
    • Navigating Holiday Blues: Find Joy and Connection in Isolation
  • Subheadline:
    • The 6 Uplifting Ways to Transform Loneliness and Embrace the Festive Season
1 reply
Mari228 August 11th, 2023

@SilverSeastar

Overall love the title and sub headline ideas. Funny enough I was just thinking of possibly Blues into the title as it’s catchy and people typically associate that word with feelings of loneliness and sadness.

One way to improve it is to shorten the words in the title a bit such as choosing either connection or other. Otherwise the words are creative.

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Mari228 August 11th, 2023

@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.

Headline: Rekindling the Heart from Holiday Loneliness.
Sub-headline: Tips to get into the holiday spirit.

1 reply
SnowTabby August 12th, 2023

@Mari228

I like where you went with this. It definitely give most of the right impression, and leads me to the article basics. It doesn't, however, give me anything about it relating to Isolation or Covid, which is important because of the last point about Memories. It could also use a bit more guidance from the points made in this discussion: using numbers, "guidance", etc.
Overall, it makes sense and I do like it.

sellistens August 21st, 2023

@Mari228

I really like how you are giving a warm welcome to readers by using the words "heart" and "holiday spirit". Very well done!

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SnowTabby August 12th, 2023

@SoulfullyAButterfly
I briefly read through the basics of the article and thought through all the general tips, finally landing on one title using some keywords from the article.

Prioritizing Positivity During Holidays in Isolation
Chasing Holiday Blues Away with 6 Essential Methods of Connecting