Explode Your Views: 7 Tips For A Killer Title
My views exploded when I started using these tips
It’s hard to get people to click on your article.
You invest hours in researching and writing. You think what you’ve published is worth reading. But then the views are crushingly low.
You feel devastated.
The problem is people have so many choices on how to spend those 4 minutes. Your title has a tough task. It needs to get people to stop scrolling. It then has to push them to take that extra step & click.
But all those hours of writing are a waste. Unless your title grabs attention.
No one used to click on my writing. The titles were awful.
Now I have 460+ followers. And get paid every month for my writing.
Here’s the 7 tactics I use so people can’t resist clicking.
1. Use this process to find a brilliant title
I used to pour all my energy into my article.
Then exhausted & empty I’d quickly think of a good title and click publish.
I’d be deflated. Almost zero views. This made me reevaluate how I used my time. Writing a title that gets clicks is hard. A good title is not enough. You need an irresistible title.
This takes effort. You should spend 15 minutes crafting a title.
You also need an effective process.
A professor divided his class in half and gave each group different instructions.
Group 1 was asked to take the best photo they could in 60 minutes.
Group 2 was asked to take as many photos as possible in 60 minutes. And then pick the best one.
Those in Group 2 produced better photos.
Generating lots of titles is the easiest way to create 1 brilliant title.
Here’s a simple process to follow:
- Force yourself to write 7 titles
- Look at the titles of top authors for inspiration
- Then write 3 more titles
- Pick the best from the 10 you’ve generated
2. Know what gets clicks
People click if they want to read your article.
And they’ll want to read if they:
- like the topic
- think it’s for them
- desire the benefits
Your goal is not clicks but the right clicks. You want your target readers to click. This means being clear on what your article will cover. Don’t try to be clever using puns or trendy ideas.
If you are writing about money. Is it for people with no income? Or those who spend too much? Is it for those who are too scared to think about money?
Clarifying your target reader is crucial. Write for everyone and you write for non-one.
But being clear on the topic and who the article is for.
Isn’t enough to get clicks though.
You need to create desire.
3. Boost the benefits
A classic mistake new writers make is to focus on the information they provide.
The truth is you need to do something for the reader.
You need to convey a promise. When people click what will they gain? This will stimulate their desire to click. The stronger you can make this the more attractive your writing will be.
Some are uncomfortable doing this they don’t want to be too clickbaity.
Clickbait means being irresistible to click. But having an offer that can’t be delivered on.
Examples of clickbait titles:
One money hack to make you rich beyond your wildest dreams.
5 writing habits that will give you a best seller
Do this to make you irresistible to women
The promises in these articles are ridiculous. No writing can fulfill these claims. Clickbait might get you clicks but it loses you respect. You won’t grow with this approach.
Instead offer attractive benefits that your article really offers.
Here’s a few examples from my recent writing:
0–400 Followers in 166 days. Tips Anyone Can Use To Grow
The offer is tips that will help you grow your followers. The benefit is strengthened by the mention of 400 followers in 166 days.
5 Writing Mistakes I Fixed To 10x My Views
If you promise to increase views tenfold that would be clickbait. But by sharing my experience it offers evidence these tips will increase your views. This is a clever way to make your article more appealing without overpromising.
5 Toxic Lies New Writers Believe That Cripples Their Progress
The promise is less specific here. You will progress. The emotive word ‘cripples’ and ‘toxic lies’ add the power to this title to draw a reader in.
4. How long should your title be?
I made the mistake in my early writing of having short titles.
I thought my article should read like a book title. Sharp and short.
Turns out I was wrong.
If your title doesn’t answer the 3 questions in points 1 & 2. It won’t get clicks. This means it needs to be longer. Typical 2 lines.
There are a few tricks you can use to keep it sharp even though it is longer.
Use brackets
My Tweet Accidentally Went Viral (5 Tricks Writers Can Steal From It)
Question & answer
Struggling To Find Time To Write? The Answer Is Within Reach
The two-parter
New Writers Have Been Sold a Lie. The Hardest Part Isn’t Getting Started
5. Use numbers
Numbers are the easiest way to upgrade your title.
They clarify the article.
- 9 = lots of info but each point won’t be detailed
- 1 key = suggests a deep dive with a specific focus
Numbers create curiosity and make a title very appealing. Odd numbers work better than even numbers (unless it is 10).
Numbers make the article specific. Which is our next tip.
6. Be more specific
Being more specific makes your article more attractive.
We think being specific will exclude people. But it makes it more appealing.
For example:
Topic — Personal development
more specific — productivity
more specific — resisting distractions
more specific — using your phone less
As your topic gets more specific you can see how it gets more appealing. This is because a reader can visualise the topic more.
Vague is boring.
You can do the same with your audience.
Audience — everyone
more specific — online creators
more specific — writers on medium
more specific — writers on medium who feel they are failing
Aiming for a more specific audience will draw them like a magnet.
You can name your audience in your title:
5 Things You Need To Know If Investing For The First Time
Audience = first-time investors
But sometimes your audience is implied:
How I Gained 100 Followers, Medium Partnership & 10x My Views
Audience = those with less than 100 followers who have made Medium Partner
Being more specific on topic and audience will magnetise your titles
7. Upgrade your language
I find myself using the same words all the time
Here’s a few favourites:
Increase
Improve
Find
Get more
Add
Unfortunately this can get boring.
Using a thesaurus you can inject more excitement in your writing
Increase = explode
Improve = upgrade
Find = discover
Get more = attract
Add = inject
You need to keep your writing simple and understandable. So don’t make it look like you’ve swallowed a dictionary.
But before you click publish. Try to freshen up any of the boring words. This is a helpful tactic for writing generally. Notice which words you always turn to. And find alternatives.
I realise these 7 tips take time and effort. But I promise you that the results are worth it
Don’t waste a great article with a poor title.
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