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Abstract

bsp;as they are helpful.</p><h2 id="cef9">Fix</h2><p id="b895">Tell the reader exactly what you want to share with them. Sometimes, <a href="https://readmedium.com/why-your-first-thoughts-make-the-best-headlines-fc23a6efcfad?source=collection_category---4------5-----------------------">your first thoughts make the best headlines</a>. These are usually simple and conversational, the way you might describe them to a friend, or ask Google for an answer.</p><h2 id="fb41">New headline ideas</h2><ul><li>How to grow citrus fruits all year</li><li>3 Easy ways to grow citrus all year</li><li>3 Brilliant ways to grow citrus all year</li><li>How to keep your citrus fruiting all year</li><li>Try these 3 clever ways to grow citrus all year</li></ul><h1 id="bbaf">Headline 5</h1><p id="c27c">Driving Client Loyalty with Modern Data Methodology</p><h2 id="a27a">Topic</h2><p id="f120">Customer retention</p><h2 id="9d1d">Fix</h2><p id="ea08">The language is too dry. It’s corporate, eyes-glaze-over language. Use conversational language. Include <a href="https://readmedium.com/80-uplifting-headline-words-that-will-capture-readers-with-positivity-9a077bfa300?source=collection_category---4------11-----------------------">uplifting words to boost the emotional connection with the reader</a>. It’s been found that <a href="https://coschedule.com/blog/emotional-headlines/">emotive headlines are shared more often.</a></p><p id="ecc1">Create desire by reflecting on your reader’s desires. Create mystery by being specific enough — yet not unnecessarily specific — about how their desire will be fulfilled. For instance, the term “modern data methodology” isn’t necessary to gain attention in the headline.</p><h2 id="d955">New headline ideas</h2><ul><li>How to use the power of data to delight your clients</li><li>How to transform your reward program and lift your profits</li><li>How to eclipse your competition and delight your clients with powerful data</li><li>Here’s a powerful way to build client loyalty</li><li>How to transform your loyalty program with your current data</li></ul><h1 id="a21a">Headline 6</h1><p id="2480">Finger Foods</p><h2 id="aa71">Topic</h2><p id="73f4">Baby nutrition</p><h2 id="90b4">Mistake</h2><p id="a6b3">The title doesn’t tell the reader enough about what aspect of finger foods will be mentioned in the content.</p><h2 id="9211">Fix</h2><p id="b065">If the author wants to keep the headline short, it will help to create a subtitle that adds more detail and tells the reader what to expect. <a href="https://readmedium.com/how-to-write-a-subtitle-that-makes-your-headline-shine-7fdfe426570c?source=collection_category---4------10-----------------------">Subtitles make headlines shine</a>.</p><p id="c4c3">To improve the headlines, it’s better to tell the reader what’s in the article. To reflect on a question or solve a problem.</p><h2 id="5bfc">Subtitle idea</h2><p id="3df8">When to start and 14 finger food ideas</p><h2 id="f6e1">Headline ideas</h2><ul><li>How to know when your baby is ready for finger foods</li><li>10 Quick and easy finger foods for your baby</li><li>How to wean your baby</li><li>Here are 10 easy-to-make finger foods</li><li>What are the best finger foods for my baby?</li></ul><h1 id="73a1">Headline 7</h1><p id="8306">Bad Mums</p><h2 id="db0a">Topic</h2><p id="2825">Motherhood</p><h2 id="90ae">Mistake</h2><p id="5cc2">The headline tells us the topic is about bad mums. But it’s too short and vague. Can we expect a serious article highlighting bad mums? Is it about personal experience? Or a lighthearted movie review?</p><p id="dacf">The headline is too short to include keywords. And it’s also a negative headline — uplifting headlines are better than negative headlines.</p><h2 id="50fb">Fix</h2><p id="d190">Understand what the reader’s challenges, fears, and desires are — this is <a href="https://readmedium.com/how-legendary-copywriter-gene-schwartz-wrote-bestselling-headlines-28377351e44?source=collection_category---4------15-----------------------">how one of the most successful direct response copywriters of all time, Gene Schwartze, wrote bestselling headlines</a>. Address the most important one in the headline.</p><p id="1fd2">The article talks about the unknowns of motherhood. The challenges. The whining. The need to remember everything, all the time, for the family. The juggle with career, being a single mum, and speaking to kids about important topics. The bottom line is that unconditional love is all mums need to give kids.</p><h2 id="7c33">New headline ideas</h2><ul><li>Unconditional love is all we need to be bad (good) mothers</li><li>Who else thinks they’re a bad mum?</li><li>There are no bad mums. It’s all in your mind.</li><li>Ways to avoid beating yourself up for being a ‘bad’ mum</li><li>Why you need to stop feeding the bad mum story to yourself</li><li>Why bad mums are a myth (so stop thinking you’re one)</li></ul><h1 id="c2aa">Headline 8</h1><p id="c985">Summer Bodies are Made in Winter!</p><h2 id="d32a">Topic</h2><p id="33a9">Fitness in Winter</p><h2 id="bd83">Mistake</h2><p id="bf04">The headline is an overused fitness quote. Exclamation marks in headlines can be seen as unnecessary and “gimmicky”. For instance, <a href="https://support.google.com/adspolicy/answer/6021546?hl=en&visit_id=637196908089682902-1813578990&rd=2">Google doesn’t allow advertisers to use exclamation marks in ad headlines</a>.</p><h2 id="15dd">Fix</h2><p id="d907">Brainstorm more

Options

headline ideas. Treat headlines like your first draft. Write uninhibited, never judging anything that flows from your fingers. <a href="https://readmedium.com/how-to-add-clarity-and-curiosity-in-your-headlines-e31fae7f3525?source=collection_category---4------6-----------------------">Aim to add clarity and curiosity in the headline.</a></p><p id="c380">Improve your word selection skills for impact instead of relying on exclamation marks. Use these <a href="https://readmedium.com/the-ultimate-list-of-320-powerful-words-to-use-in-your-headlines-55a9ecc4c2d9">320 power words</a> with care (be careful not to sound clickbaity).</p><h2 id="dccc">New headline ideas</h2><ul><li>How to stay fit when it’s cold</li><li>What fit people do in winter</li><li>How to work out when it’s cold outside</li><li>When you want to stay fit this winter, do these 5 quick things</li><li>How to stay fit this winter: 5 easy exercises</li></ul><h1 id="977a">Headline 9</h1><p id="1faa">Know and Grow the Source(s) of Your Writing Inspiration</p><h2 id="d700">Topic</h2><p id="92a2">Writing</p><h2 id="d719">Mistake</h2><p id="69ed">Using an (s) in the headline looks unprofessional. The headline is bland. It doesn’t make me curious or feel anything. It doesn’t prompt me to do anything.</p><h2 id="e025">Fix</h2><p id="9ca9">Create a headline that arouses curiosity. Include a promise. Create a more powerful statement that reflects a fear, assumption, challenge, or desire. Use <i>why</i> and <i>how</i> to tell your reader your content will give them something useful.</p><h2 id="b588">New headline ideas</h2><ul><li>Why creativity won’t burn when you rely on motivation</li><li>Why motivation kills creativity (and what to do instead)</li><li>How to ignite creativity when motivation fails to show up</li><li>How to ignite creativity when motivation stands you up</li><li>How to be creative when you don’t feel motivated</li></ul><h1 id="2213">Headline 10</h1><p id="b3bc">Knowing Your Purpose Isn’t Enough</p><h2 id="839a">Topic</h2><p id="97a8">Habits</p><h2 id="535f">Mistake</h2><p id="aa58">The headline doesn’t say enough. It relies on a statement that doesn’t make the reader feel anything strongly.</p><h2 id="9167">Fix</h2><p id="365e">Provide more details to tell the reader what the article is about and arouse more curiosity. Make them feel by using sensorial words.</p><h2 id="dc17">New headline</h2><ul><li>Success: The daily success habits that will get you where you want to be</li><li>The power of habit: How to harness it and make shit happen</li><li>How to explode your productivity tenfold</li><li>Why goals don’t guarantee success (and what you really need)</li><li>Why goals are overrated (and why you need to focus on habits instead)</li><li>How to harness the power of habits: Automate your way to success</li></ul><h1 id="a99e">10 Easy Fixes for Headline Mistakes</h1><p id="57a1">Have you noticed a common theme?</p><p id="b2df">Many headline problems come from vague headlines. The key to fixing this is to aim for clarity in your headlines. Clarity comes from understanding the key message in the content.</p><p id="23ff">The good thing is clarity can also arouse curiosity — rather than dampening it.</p><h2 id="1d97">Fix headline mistakes</h2><ol><li>Emphasize your main message</li><li>Use subtitles to clarify your headline</li><li>Headlines and content are a package: your content must follow through on your headline promises</li><li>Use numbers</li><li>Use natural curiosity words such as <i>how, what, </i>and <i>why</i></li><li>Use emotive words to make your readers feel</li><li>Know your reader: reflect on their fears, challenges, or desires</li><li>Write your first thoughts as headlines</li><li>Brainstorm headlines — as many as you can, at least three (I wrote more than ten for a few of these alternative headlines though I didn’t include them all)</li><li>Renew great content by using a new headline (and edit content)</li></ol><h1 id="3fc5">When Your Headline Doesn’t Work</h1><p id="bb6a">It doesn’t mean your content wasn’t valuable. Try a new headline the next time you write about the topic.</p><p id="b521"><a href="https://readmedium.com/how-to-avoid-duplication-renewing-your-great-old-content-2df6a26dfa08">Don’t duplicate — renew your content</a> by editing it enough to be considered new. And publish again with a new headline and fresh content.</p><h1 id="e2b8">Still Having Trouble with Headlines?</h1><p id="f3b1">Check out my <a href="https://readmedium.com/my-bulletproof-5-step-process-to-creating-alluring-headlines-4411a6b5d48d?source=collection_category---4------13-----------------------">bulletproof five-step process to create alluring headlines</a>.</p><h1 id="9aee">Summary</h1><p id="8c8f">It’s easier to write a crap headline than a good one, when you first begin. With loads of practice and an understanding of what makes a great headline, you <i>will</i> get better with them.</p><p id="f047">Aim for clarity over cleverness. Subtitles can reinforce clarity. Make your reader give a sh*t with emotive words. Play with numbers.</p><p id="2ab3">Speak to them simply as you would in conversation. Sprinkle keywords strategically where they’ll notice them.</p><p id="3430">Follow through with your content. Don’t waste good content when headlines don’t work — swap out to a new headline. And most of all, understand your reader.</p><p id="ccec">Happy headlining!</p></article></body>

Headline Hacks

10 Easy Fixes for Common Headline Mistakes

Examples and tips to attract readers to your valuable content

Headlines aren’t an exact science. What may get one reader clicking may be ignored by another. What may work in one industry may not work in another. However, there are simple, classic ways to improve headlines so they’re more likely to entice your reader.

Over the past decade as a communications professional and a writer, I’ve made a crapload of mistakes with headlines. But when you write to sell — ideas, products, services, event tickets, and more — you get feedback. That’s how you quickly learn what headlines sell — and which flop.

Today I want to show you ten headlines from real articles. I’ll take you through how to improve them — and share alternative headline ideas. Are the alternative headlines better than the originals? I’ll let you decide.

Headline 1

Here’s One Simple Way to Improve Your Life

Topic

Sleep

Mistake

It sounds enticing. I actually like this headline. In the past, I would click on it. However, there are heaps of personal development articles out there that use clickbaity, vague headlines. You, like me, might be desensitized to these types of headlines. Avoid being lumped into this group.

Fix

Be specific. Specificity is also a great way to arouse curiosity as discovered in How to Write Genuine, Enticing Headlines Without Clickbaiting.

New headline ideas

This is the most underrated productivity hack: sleeping early
How a 9 pm bedtime for a year has transformed my life
Simple ways to get to bed an hour earlier (and why it matters)
How a nice early night can boost your productivity
Why sleeping before 12 is the secret to better productivity

Headline 2

How to Deal with Travel Burnout

Topic

Travel

Mistake

The headline was actually great. It uses great keywords. It’s short, yet specific. The problem was that the content didn’t follow through. It’s important that the content and headline work together to deliver what the reader expects.

The author took three-quarters of the article to get to the skimmable part of the content I wanted. The content was decent when I got there, but the post seemed like a journal entry. The ads were annoying, distracting, and affected my enjoyment of the content.

Fix

Focus on your reader and what they want to know — and make it easy for them to find it. Follow through on headline promises, and format content to suit the way people read online

New headline idea

The headline is fine in this case — the problem is the content didn’t follow through.

Headline 3

Putting the Focus on Men’s Mental Health in November

Topic

Men’s mental health

Mistake

Keywords aren’t likely to be seen by readers, who notice the first three words and the last three words of a headline.

Fix

Consider placing keywords at the start and end of the headline. You don’t need to keyword stuff. Make sure it still sounds natural and conversational — this is especially important with such a tough topic, such as men’s mental health.

Using numbers in headlines and how-to’s are proven ways to get a reader’s attention. Eyetracking studies have found numbers typed out as numerals literally stop the wandering eye. It represents hard facts and is a more compact (and attractive) way to take in information.

New headline ideas

How to get the men in your life talking about mental health
How to make sure your man is OK
How to make sure your man is OK: Men’s mental health
10 reasons he doesn’t want to talk and how to help him
How to help a dude that doesn’t need your help

Headline 4

Citrus for All Seasons

Topic

Gardening

Mistake

The headline tries to be clever at the expense of clarity. It’s a little too short to convey enough information. Note that there’s nothing wrong with short headlines — as long as they are helpful.

Fix

Tell the reader exactly what you want to share with them. Sometimes, your first thoughts make the best headlines. These are usually simple and conversational, the way you might describe them to a friend, or ask Google for an answer.

New headline ideas

How to grow citrus fruits all year
3 Easy ways to grow citrus all year
3 Brilliant ways to grow citrus all year
How to keep your citrus fruiting all year
Try these 3 clever ways to grow citrus all year

Headline 5

Driving Client Loyalty with Modern Data Methodology

Topic

Customer retention

Fix

The language is too dry. It’s corporate, eyes-glaze-over language. Use conversational language. Include uplifting words to boost the emotional connection with the reader. It’s been found that emotive headlines are shared more often.

Create desire by reflecting on your reader’s desires. Create mystery by being specific enough — yet not unnecessarily specific — about how their desire will be fulfilled. For instance, the term “modern data methodology” isn’t necessary to gain attention in the headline.

New headline ideas

How to use the power of data to delight your clients
How to transform your reward program and lift your profits
How to eclipse your competition and delight your clients with powerful data
Here’s a powerful way to build client loyalty
How to transform your loyalty program with your current data

Headline 6

Finger Foods

Topic

Baby nutrition

Mistake

The title doesn’t tell the reader enough about what aspect of finger foods will be mentioned in the content.

Fix

If the author wants to keep the headline short, it will help to create a subtitle that adds more detail and tells the reader what to expect. Subtitles make headlines shine.

To improve the headlines, it’s better to tell the reader what’s in the article. To reflect on a question or solve a problem.

Subtitle idea

When to start and 14 finger food ideas

Headline ideas

How to know when your baby is ready for finger foods
10 Quick and easy finger foods for your baby
How to wean your baby
Here are 10 easy-to-make finger foods
What are the best finger foods for my baby?

Headline 7

Bad Mums

Topic

Motherhood

Mistake

The headline tells us the topic is about bad mums. But it’s too short and vague. Can we expect a serious article highlighting bad mums? Is it about personal experience? Or a lighthearted movie review?

The headline is too short to include keywords. And it’s also a negative headline — uplifting headlines are better than negative headlines.

Fix

Understand what the reader’s challenges, fears, and desires are — this is how one of the most successful direct response copywriters of all time, Gene Schwartze, wrote bestselling headlines. Address the most important one in the headline.

The article talks about the unknowns of motherhood. The challenges. The whining. The need to remember everything, all the time, for the family. The juggle with career, being a single mum, and speaking to kids about important topics. The bottom line is that unconditional love is all mums need to give kids.

New headline ideas

Unconditional love is all we need to be bad (good) mothers
Who else thinks they’re a bad mum?
There are no bad mums. It’s all in your mind.
Ways to avoid beating yourself up for being a ‘bad’ mum
Why you need to stop feeding the bad mum story to yourself
Why bad mums are a myth (so stop thinking you’re one)

Headline 8

Summer Bodies are Made in Winter!

Topic

Fitness in Winter

Mistake

The headline is an overused fitness quote. Exclamation marks in headlines can be seen as unnecessary and “gimmicky”. For instance, Google doesn’t allow advertisers to use exclamation marks in ad headlines.

Fix

Brainstorm more headline ideas. Treat headlines like your first draft. Write uninhibited, never judging anything that flows from your fingers. Aim to add clarity and curiosity in the headline.

Improve your word selection skills for impact instead of relying on exclamation marks. Use these 320 power words with care (be careful not to sound clickbaity).

New headline ideas

How to stay fit when it’s cold
What fit people do in winter
How to work out when it’s cold outside
When you want to stay fit this winter, do these 5 quick things
How to stay fit this winter: 5 easy exercises

Headline 9

Know and Grow the Source(s) of Your Writing Inspiration

Topic

Writing

Mistake

Using an (s) in the headline looks unprofessional. The headline is bland. It doesn’t make me curious or feel anything. It doesn’t prompt me to do anything.

Fix

Create a headline that arouses curiosity. Include a promise. Create a more powerful statement that reflects a fear, assumption, challenge, or desire. Use why and how to tell your reader your content will give them something useful.

New headline ideas

Why creativity won’t burn when you rely on motivation
Why motivation kills creativity (and what to do instead)
How to ignite creativity when motivation fails to show up
How to ignite creativity when motivation stands you up
How to be creative when you don’t feel motivated

Headline 10

Knowing Your Purpose Isn’t Enough

Topic

Habits

Mistake

The headline doesn’t say enough. It relies on a statement that doesn’t make the reader feel anything strongly.

Fix

Provide more details to tell the reader what the article is about and arouse more curiosity. Make them feel by using sensorial words.

New headline

Success: The daily success habits that will get you where you want to be
The power of habit: How to harness it and make shit happen
How to explode your productivity tenfold
Why goals don’t guarantee success (and what you really need)
Why goals are overrated (and why you need to focus on habits instead)
How to harness the power of habits: Automate your way to success

10 Easy Fixes for Headline Mistakes

Have you noticed a common theme?

Many headline problems come from vague headlines. The key to fixing this is to aim for clarity in your headlines. Clarity comes from understanding the key message in the content.

The good thing is clarity can also arouse curiosity — rather than dampening it.

Fix headline mistakes

Emphasize your main message
Use subtitles to clarify your headline
Headlines and content are a package: your content must follow through on your headline promises
Use numbers
Use natural curiosity words such as how, what, and why
Use emotive words to make your readers feel
Know your reader: reflect on their fears, challenges, or desires
Write your first thoughts as headlines
Brainstorm headlines — as many as you can, at least three (I wrote more than ten for a few of these alternative headlines though I didn’t include them all)
Renew great content by using a new headline (and edit content)

When Your Headline Doesn’t Work

It doesn’t mean your content wasn’t valuable. Try a new headline the next time you write about the topic.

Don’t duplicate — renew your content by editing it enough to be considered new. And publish again with a new headline and fresh content.

Still Having Trouble with Headlines?

Check out my bulletproof five-step process to create alluring headlines.

Summary

It’s easier to write a crap headline than a good one, when you first begin. With loads of practice and an understanding of what makes a great headline, you will get better with them.

Aim for clarity over cleverness. Subtitles can reinforce clarity. Make your reader give a sh*t with emotive words. Play with numbers.

Speak to them simply as you would in conversation. Sprinkle keywords strategically where they’ll notice them.

Follow through with your content. Don’t waste good content when headlines don’t work — swap out to a new headline. And most of all, understand your reader.

Happy headlining!