Headlines and Headings: Catch Readers’ Eyes and Then Hold Their Attention

A headline as simple as “10 Things to Do in Singapore” can be perfect. In this case, it’s the title for a post on a top-ranked blog about food and travel. This short headline accomplishes three tasks: It specifies a topic (what to do in Singapore) It identifies a target audience (anyone who’s going there or would like to) And it arouses curiosity (in this context, about worthwhile local cuisine and cooking lessons) Furthermore, author Matt Armendariz keeps his readers’ attention through article headings

Collapsible Headlines: When Briefer Is Better

Here are two headlines for one online article about folding bicycles. The headlines illustrate how to keep your writing concise:       •       • We prefer the shorter headline. It’s meant to indicate the topic and encourage readers to click through to the full article

Is Your Sentence Stuck? Try Juggling the Words Around.

If you get stuck when you’re writing a headline or a sentence, try rearranging the words. Here’s an example of an awkward two-part headline: What “cage-free,” “fertile” and other egg labels mean: “Fertile” is kind of goofy, “vegetarian-fed” is kind of weird, but “cage-free” is serious (and big) business – Francis Lam, Salon.com Good writing usually feels effortless to read

Help Your Reader Get It: Lead with a Strong Headline

The New York Times has a great new article about how testing yourself helps you retain information. Its headline is “To Really Learn, Quit Studying and Take a Test.” The headline needs work

Headlines: Catch Your Readers’ Attention from the First Line

Headlines are essential for marketing writing: they’re your first opportunity to catch your reader’s attention and spark their interest in your message. Whenever possible, use the imperative voice in your headline. The imperative voice is a grammatical mood that expresses a command or, in this case, influences the reader’s behavior: “Land a Better Job” “Put an End to Migraines” “Erase Your Negative Credit Marks” “Cancel Your Debts” “Stop the Flu Dead in Its Tracks” Here are nine ways that successful headlines engage or involve the reader: Offer a strong, compelling promise: “Open Your Own Personally Branded, Fully Stocked Online Store in 15 Minutes” Highlight benefits to the reader: “The World’s Richest Source of Cash—And How You Can Tap into It to Start or Grow Your Business” Explain exactly what the offer is: “Earn Your Master’s Degree Online in 18 Months or Less” Appeal to the emotions: “Will These Internet Trends Kill Your Online Business?” Use specifics: “How Adam Ginsberg Made $15 Million on eBay in 2003” Arouse curiosity: “Words That Command People to Do Your Bidding” Call out to a specific target audience: “The Sales-Closing Techniques of a Self-Made Billionaire” Make an announcement: “$2 Million Scientific Project Unlocks the Secret of Aging: How You Can Become Biologically Younger” Ask a question: “Does Coral Calcium Really Reverse Aging, Extend Your Life Span, and Cure Cancer?”