For nearly the last five years, I have spent time every work day searching the internet for content I could share via social media with nonprofit organizations. My time perusing the web has given me insight on what makes a clickable headline. Below are the three types of headlines that make me click!
Questioning Headlines
These headlines pose a question. Examples include the following:
- What One Skill Is Most Likely To Get You Promoted?
- Do You Spend Too Much Time Answering Email?
Questioning headlines let the reader know exactly what information they are going to get out of reading the article. Just make sure the article you write actually answers the question posed. I’ve clicked on some articles that didn’t answer the question posed in the headline, which made me choose not to visit that blog or website again.
How-to Headlines
How-to headlines are effective because they let the reader know he/she is going to learn something from reading the article. For example:
- How To Engage The Disengaged Employee
- How To Get More People To Read Your Emails
List Headlines
These are my favorite type of headlines. When I see a list headline, I know the article is going to be well organized and something I can easily skim and still gain insight. Examples are:
- Four Ways To Show Your Employees Appreciation
- Five Tips To Create An Effective Board Orientation
When you struggle to create a headline for your article or blog, ask yourself, “What type of headline would make me want to read what I’ve written?” Then jot down the first five headlines that come to your mind. Share those five headlines with a few friends or coworkers, and ask them which headline most piques their interest.
Meghan,
If you can align the name Taylor Swift or Adele into your subject and subject line, the open rates explode. It works for me. I just don’t over do it. 🙂
Pat
P.S. We’re going to miss you.
Thank you so much, Pat!!