You have 2 1/2 seconds for your blog titles to attract a reader.
Blog titles are crucial for enticing the viewer to begin reading. I would estimate you have 2 1/2 seconds to intrigue the reader and capture their attention. The content in the article must be powerful and engaging, but you have to get someone interested in what you have to say before they will ever read it.
Here are some tips to coming up with your Blog Titles.
- Search other blog titles to see what bloggers are posting. This will help you to start generating your own ideas.
- Often times I end up writing the post with a main idea before settling on a title. So don’t dwell on the title in the beginning.
- Your title should relate to your topic. Don’t keep the reader guessing.
- Minimize the number of words, while still getting your topic across.
- Use keywords which will help with SEO (Search Engine Optimization). These are key words search engines like Google will pick up on and rank your blog higher. Example: “Daily Exercise is Essential” vs. “Starting my day with Spin class keeps me heart healthy.” The second title contained several keywords.
- Use language your target audience understands. For example…”Increase your Search Engine Optimization through Article Writing” may be more specific, but it is much less catchy than, “Get ranked on Google”
- Don’t be afraid to use a sub-title. If you have a catchy title, but feel it doesn’t give enough information, use it anyway but clarify using a sub-title.
- Be original and creative. For example, if you are writing a motivational synopsis of John Maxwell’s book, do not use the title of the book in the title. Make it your own “Read to Lead, Discovering Yourself as a Leader” sounds new and different opposed to “John Maxwell’s: Discovering the Leader Within You.”
Depending on your blogs focus you may want a powerful call to action. Or you may have a creative blog that plays to emotion.
Techniques when Creating your Blog Titles.
- Lists- Easy and fast to read, provides information in smaller but comprehensive pieces. Titles could be “Top 10 Ways to Floss your Teeth” or “20 Most Popular Fashion Designers”or “10 Reasons to Start a Facebook Fan Page”
- Share Secrets- If your blog post is on a “how to”, “why do”, “what is/are”, then here are examples “Secrets of Success”, “Secrets on How to Work from Home” or “Mom’s Monday Motivation -The Secret to True Happiness”
- Play with words- The title is the best place to be creative with words. Readers never fail to notice fun and teasing titles. Examples, Got Jing? and Weekly Wisdom – The “F” Words!
- Inform- Titles aren’t only meant to tease or intrigue the readers; it is also meant to inform. If you’re writing about the Potty Training, use a clear title such as “Potty Training Dos and Don’ts.” Another example would be Understanding True Residual Income.
The point is to give your reader a taste of what you want them to read and entice them to continue. Use effective words that have a distinctive meaning or paint a picture. Practice makes perfect, writing great blog titles is an art.
Do you have any blog titles that fit one of these categories? I would love to share the titles on this blog so others can learn from them. Please comment below!
Hi Heather!
Wow, these are VERY helpful tips! I found several ideas that will help me with my own titles and content. Thank you for this awesome info!
Jessilicious recently posted..How to Make Your Website Content Shareable with Sexy Bookmarks
Thanks! Happy to connect with you here.
Heather Calhoun recently posted..Blog Titles That Beg To Be Read
AWESOME article, Heather! Your title got me in one second flat! I recently posted “Food for Thought: Prevent Cancer, Eat Right!”
Thanks Heidi! I like blog title at the bottom of your comment. Give ‘Em What They Came For!
Nice blog You really got me thinking about how i write my blog titles. Don’t want to have a blog that plays to emotion thank you for the class, I’m loving it
Geisa Ramos recently posted..Working Online Businesses Opportunities
Thanks Geisa! Sometimes it’s the little things that make a big difference.
Heather Calhoun recently posted..Blog Titles That Beg To Be Read
Thanks for the great info! This will definitely help with my future blog titles.
Glad you find this helpful
This article gives me exactly the information I was looking for! I especially love the suggestion to write the article BEFORE coming up with a title. When I title an article before its written, I’m much more prone to writers block. Next time I will just leave the title for last!
Sometimes I have an idea of a title, but it evolves after the article has been written. Often I find just the right words from within my article to use as the blog title.
Thanks Ilene!
Blogging is so much more fun now that I am learning about SEO and keywords… reading this post just helps you think more out of the box and not be so ‘ordinary’! Your posts are always so full of great information!
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