Did you know that 57% of companies have a content plan in place?

Unfortunately, not all of them are successful. So, what’s the secret to creating successful content? You better believe that it’s in the headline.

Knowing how to write a good headline is a valuable skill, and can be the difference between people reading your content or not.

Coming up with the perfect headline can be difficult. It often takes time, trial, and error. But if you know what to look for and have a few helpful tools at your disposal, you’ll be well on your way to writing headlines that perform.

Step 1: Start With a Question

An effective headline is a promise to your reader. It tells them what to expect from your article and what they’ll get from reading it. So, start by asking yourself, “what’s the promise I want to make?”

If you need help with your content plan, read this article.

Step 2: Make It Specific

When writing headlines, make sure it’s specific enough that people can tell exactly what it’s about when they see it on social media or in their email inboxes. The more specific the topic, the stronger your headline will be. Even if that specificity means you need to use more than one word in your headline.

Step 3: Use Numbers or Statistics Where Appropriate

People love numbers and statistics. They’re so much easier to remember and talk about than abstract ideas or concepts. You don’t have to get too crazy with this step, but try to include some if possible.

Step 4: Add an Emotional Element

If you’re writing content about something that has an emotional component, try adding an element of emotion into the headline as well. For example, if you’re writing about something sad, use phrasing like “Why You Should Never Do X”. If you’re writing about something exciting, use phrasing like “You Have to See This!”

Step 5: Try Using Active Voice Instead of Passive Voice

Active voice is much stronger than passive voice because it makes it clear who is doing what. Instead of writing “the study was conducted by researchers at Stanford University”, try writing “researchers at Stanford University conducted a study”. This makes your sentences shorter, more direct, and easier for readers to understand.

Step 6: Avoid Clichés and Overly Technical Language

Clichés are phrases that have been used so many times that they have lost their meaning, like “at the end of the day” or “don’t sweat the small stuff”. Try to avoid clichés in your writing.

Overly technical language can also confuse readers if they don’t understand what it means. For example, instead of writing “theoretical constructs”, try using more common words like “theories”.

How to Write a Good Headline: Follow These Tips to Draw Your Reader In

Now that you know how to write a good headline, consider working these tips into your writing process.

By following these steps, you’ll be able to produce the kinds of headlines that attract others and encourage them to click through. Which is ultimately the goal of your headline.

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