9 Ways To Write An Interesting Headline

By Author: Jason Aldein
Total Articles: 188
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If you are a content writer & if content writing is your profession then you must know the dilemma of writing a great headline. Whenever you wrote a book or a simple blog post, you must have spent quite some time to think an appropriate title. Every writer gets through this trouble. What should be the best headline to express the subject? Which words shall I use to gain readers’ attention?
Headline is like the bait which helps you to grab the readers’ attention and compel them to take the action. The headline can be more important than the content itself. Especially, if you are writing for a marketing article, newsletter, brochure, etc. the headline can make or break the success of your content writing company. Don’t you send the newsletter to trash if their subject line sounds boring? The advertisement and marketing industry is already over saturated and you must sound different to stand out in the crowd.
How to Write a Smashing Headline?
1. Don’t Use Cliché Words- Cliché words can irritate your target audience. Words like “the best”, “top quality” have been used so many times in headlines ...
... that readers instantly dislike them. You need to do something extra and use uncommon yet catchy words to capture audience’s attention.
2. Creative Vs. To-The-Point Headline- Depending upon your requirements and the behavior of your target readers, you can use either creative or to the point headline. When you write a creative headline, you don’t give the main idea directly. It captures readers’ attention due to its unlikely nature. The inquisitiveness increases readership. Whereas, to the point headlines use no ornamental word and describes exactly what the article is. For example, “Most played online games in Android” gives you a direct idea what the article is about. If you want to sell something directly and your readers don’t like to decipher intelligent headlines, then direct headline is for you.
3. Give Readers What They Want To Hear- Do some research on your target readers and understand what they want. Now, shape your headline in such a way that it sounds like a solution to them. For example, if you are writing for businessmen and executives, then a headline like, “Learn how planned investment can save you tax” will make your book or article an instant hit.
4. “How To” Headline- How to headline is one of the most popular headlines. Possibilities of failure are less when you write this type of headline. You can see such headlines everywhere and they convey the message very efficiently. For instance, “How to write a good ad copy” or “How to create a beautiful logo” instantly tell the reader what the article is about.
5. “Why” Headline- This type of headline is also very successful like “how to” headlines. If you are writing an article and want the readers to try out the product you are writing about, then “why” headline is really good. For instance, “Why shopping a book online is a great idea.”
6. Question Headline- You can form your headline in the shape of a question. It should be a question that will interest your readers. If you are a dietician, your readers would like to know how to reduce fat. Your book title can be “Can I get a perfect body?”
7. Commanding Headline- This type of headline orders the reader to take an action. Such headline is forceful, strong and commands the reader to take a fast action. Example of a command headline, “Pay your tax now!”
8. Offer News In The Headline- Such headlines offer breaking news and make people interested. For example, “iPhone 5 is coming to India in October 2011” will create a buzz and increase readership.
9. Humorous And Witty Headline- A little humor is always good. It helps you to reach even the smartest reader. However, while writing a humorous and witty headline, pick the words carefully. What seems funny to you can hurt a percentage of your readers.
There are various styles of content writing an effective headline. You should try the one that suits your article writing, book and audience. Just don’t forget one thing, keep it unique.

About the Author- Jason Aldein works in a reputed content writing company and he has authored a number of articles on content writing.