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:
-
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)
-
This post is brought to you by the Content Development and Marketing Program, find out more information about the program here
@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?
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
@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!
@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.
Combating Holiday Loneliness: 5 Ways to Find Connection
Subheadlines:
Virtual Gatherings
Gratitude Practice
Creative Outlets
Outdoor Activities
Community Support
@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.
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."
@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)
@starsnnights
The titles are according to the rules. Just, try to keep them within 62 character limit.
@SoulfullyAButterfly
H1 The top 6 ways to battle loneliness on holidays
H2 Be grateful for the people in your life
@JusticiaPrimalDorogo
H2 correction Why you should be grateful for people in your life
@SoulfullyAButterfly
"7Cups Community - We're here to listen! "
Subheadings-
- About 7 cups and what we can offer (Listeners, Members, Experts)
- 7 Cups community guidelines
- Forums, Group chats
- 7 cups academy, training and certification
- How does it feel to be a part of it.
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
@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.
@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.
@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.
@Mari228
I really like how you are giving a warm welcome to readers by using the words "heart" and "holiday spirit". Very well done!
@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.
