7 Overused Headline Phrases That Readers Are Already Fed Up With

Dear writers, please treat your readers’ time with respect.

As a marketer and blogger, I produce content daily. It’s my job and hobby at the same time.

I create every content piece with a purpose: to persuade, sell, subscribe, inspire or help. I want a reader to feel differently or experience an “aha” moment upon reading my pieces. It’s challenging, but this is what a writer’s job is.

It’s shocking that 90% of all digital data was created in the last two years, according to Bernard Marr & Co! Exposed to too much information, readers become more selective in their choices.

Someone put time and energy into creating content that you, as a reader, don’t even dare to open. Why? You see lots of old-fashioned, overused, and cliche titles that no longer resonate with you. You feel indifferent and keep scrolling your newsfeed.

Let me tell you a harsh truth. Overused titles don’t hook anymore. Period. What worked a year ago triggers completely different emotions nowadays.

Next time you publish a new story, make sure you don’t spam your readers with the following titles.

“How I made (a dollar) sitting on my couch.”

or

“I earned $15 from my writing. Here is how you can do it, too.”

I see such titles every day on my social media and email box. I feel someone really wants to teach me what I should do to earn a few cents online.

The paradox is, these ridiculous headlines find their readers!

People want to get more by doing less or nothing at all.

We want to know how much money others make. We want to compare someone else’s income and lifestyle to ours. It’s in our DNA, even though it makes us feel miserable eventually. We can’t resist it.

Bloggers know about this weakness and feed us with what we want to consume. The outcome is more and more absurd posts.

Dear writers, treat your readers’ time with respect. Please, do not pollute the digital space with another “how to make a five dollar” post. Readers are getting smarter and avoid wasting their time on impractical advice.

Instead, be helpful with something else. Everyone’s got talent. Your showtime is yet to come.

“This simple (idea) will change the way you live your life.”

or

“How I completely changed my life in 30 days, and you, too, can do it.”

What a bold statement!

Every time I see this headline, I wonder if the writer can indeed keep his promise and offer something mind-blowing in the post.

This headline type is frequently used to hook readers’ attention. However, after a thrilling moment, disappointment comes. You expect something new but eventually read another clickbait.

It happens all the time because the headline structure gives readers hope. They want life changes. They believe the headline but eventually fail to get what they come for.

Perhaps, you indeed provide some outstanding and handy ideas in your blog posts. But readers’ trust is already spoiled by hundreds of other writers’ clickbait.

Don’t let your readers down. Don’t fool them with fake promises. If you make a promise in the title, keep it! It is easy to lose reputation and much harder to gain it back.

“How to become (rich) fast.”

or

“ Here is how I easily make four figures online every month, working 4 hours a day.”

Life is way more complicated than it might seem.

Someone has worked for years to create a success story, which they are selling you now. What you see is the tip of the iceberg, though. You don’t notice tears, failures, and sleepless nights sacrificed to become somebody.

Success stories are sexy. In contrast, the truth is not inspiring. People believe a magical pill can instantly make them happy, successful, prosperous, slim, etc.

Such headlines play on people’s pains and emotions. They make fake promises, making you believe nothing is impossible.

I encourage you, my dear reader, to stay critical when you read such stories. Unless you buy a lottery ticket and win a million-dollar the next day, there is no other fast way to become rich. Don’t be trapped by someone’s promises, personal stories, and retouched Instagram photos from Bali.

Dreams remain dreams if they are not followed by consistent and hard work.

“Mindset shifts you should steal from ….”

or

“These mindset shifts will transform you from average to exceptional.”

I know what you might suggest here: “Start your day with a morning routine. Define your unshakable life values. Change your social circle to become a better self, etc.”

This list can go on and on.

We are curious to find out what successful people think and do daily that lead them to success. This is why “X mindset shifts you should adopt” posts are so tempting.

The more you consume articles like these, the more fed up you become with “advice” given there. They seem real but often turn out to be impractical. Life is not a straight and predictable line.

If something works for someone else, it does not mean you’ll get the same result no matter how hard you try. Your life is different. They have no clue whether you possess enough means, time, and energy to make that desired transformation. Despite anything, those writers keep producing content that makes you feel miserable.

I’ve developed the best strategy for myself as an avid reader — don’t take everything for granted. Read, think, reflect and only then act.

“You absolutely should/should not start a (side hustle).”

or

“These side hustles will never make you rich.”

As a reader, I don’t want someone to tell me what I should do in life. I am in a clear state of mind to make decisions myself.

I was not always that negative about these headlines, though. I used to find some fresh ideas in such articles, but very rarely. In most cases, writers list obvious reasons that readers already know.

Whenever you write a new piece, keep in mind readers are alive humans, like you. They, too, read books, eat ice creams, work with toxic bosses and run their businesses. They can pretty much describe “why you should run a side hustle” themselves.

Can you offer them anything else? Something worth opening and reading your article.

Remember, everyone wants to spend their time wisely and be entertained. Bold statements might drive curiosity but eventually, leave your reader devastated or even angry.

“Signs you are a (happy) person.”

or

“ Subtle signs you are more intelligent than your interlocutor.”

It seems the authors try to guess your mood and current state of life. While you wonder how well they know you and open the article to assess every sign critically:

“This is true. It’s about me. Perhaps, I should slow down a bit. I must be a happy person. Or no?

Content creators know such articles trigger a deep dialog between a reader and his inner self. A conversation always evokes emotions, either positive or negative, which turn into an engagement.

More likes, shares, comments, and views will please the algorithms and help reach a wider audience. It is the ultimate goal of such content.

This headline type tempted me so much that I created my “subtle signs of a toxic friendship” piece. This article performs quite well, as expected. I expressed my opinion and shared my experience. However, is there any value in it for the reader? Should writers keep producing these pieces to entertain readers or put their effort into something else?

While we are thinking about these questions, more and more copycats are being published all over the Internet, which will soon make this niche oversaturated.

“Habits you should (adopt).”

or

“X habits you can develop today that will completely change your life.”

Humans seek perfection in life and get upset when they can’t reach it. We know the magic pill does not exist, but we consciously believe in bold statements over and over again.

“These habits will help you become more productive, less stressed, happier, healthier, wealthier, smarter, more charming, etc.”

This list is endless.

Have you seen these headlines online? I surely did. To say more, I used to click and read them all. Why? Because overpromising headlines speak to your soul! They awaken your deepest self-concerns that you want to hide or forget. Instead, content creators make you recall them and do something about them.

People with enough life experience differentiate between “fake” and “trustworthy.” But we have no clue about how many young people blindly follow everything they read online.

The digital space is becoming unsafe—people with no education or self-taught set up trends.

Final thoughts

To be a good storyteller, you have to be a voracious reader!

Your thoughts are a reflection of what you read, hear and experience daily. You see the world through your lenses, which makes your writer’s voice unique.

Follow enrichment or make a new bold move? I ask myself this question when I subtly want to create another clickbait. Yes, they work, and perhaps they’ll always perform well.

However, let’s not forget why we create and share all the content online. We do it for human beings! We do it to help, inspire and educate others.

Enrichment is a byproduct of the value you share with the world. Let’s get more creative and stick in our readers' minds!

Interested in creating content people want to read? Grab my free guide “How to Discover Popular Topics For Any country In a Few Minutes.”

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