How to Write Stunning Blog Post Titles

18 May 2021

Blogging is a brilliant way to provide information for prospective customers and add value to your website but sadly, many articles will never be read. This is often due to the absence of a catchy, punchy, intriguing title. Research suggests that 80% of people read headlines but only 20% will actually click on the post and read the blog. In this guide, we’ll explore some effective ways to write better blog post titles.

Tips for writing stunning titles for your blog posts

There is a huge amount of competition out there when it comes to using content to turn heads and persuade prospective customers to choose your brand or business. If you have a blog on your website or you use blogging as a means to drum up interest in your venture, it’s critical to lure readers in from the outset. It takes seconds for people to decide whether or not they want to read a post and the title is often the dealbreaker. Here are some blogging tips to take on board to help you write stunning titles:

1.Conjure up a clutch of ideas for every article

Whether you’re blogging about cars, clothing, the manufacturing industry or new beauty trends, it’s hugely beneficial to conjure up ideas for multiple titles for your post. Note down a few options, write your post and then see which title you think is most compelling and impactful.

2.Use tried and tested formulas

Some formulas work better than others when it comes to encouraging users to click on the article and carry on reading. Examples include titles with a number, ‘how to’ guides and titles that are presented in the form of a question. If you’ve had success with specific types of blog post titles, use the same format again. You can modify and adapt titles using different language or tone of voice to keep your content fresh while building on the success of previous posts.

3.Test your headlines

Testing is a fantastic way to gain an insight into how audiences will react to different titles. If you write a selection of headlines yourself and then choose, you’ll be going purely off your own reactions and preferences. Split testing enables you to gather and analyse data, which will help you produce titles that will resonate with your target customer or reader.

4.Include negative words

It’s common to see posts that provide information about the best products or the best ways to increase sales or lose weight, for example. Using positive words may seem like a winning formula, but research indicates that changing a title to include negative words can be more effective. Rather than using the headline, ‘Brilliant ways to drop a dress size,’ for example, consider an alternative like, ‘What not to do to gain weight’ or ‘5 things to avoid on your weight loss journey.’ Figures show that posts that contain negative phrases or words perform 30% better.

5.Conduct keyword research

Keyword research can be incredibly valuable for creating content that will rank highly but it can also help you come up with appealing, alluring post titles. Conducting research will provide you with information about what consumers and web users are searching for. You can use your blog to answer questions, provide additional information and encourage engagement.

6.Leave the audience wanting more

It’s beneficial to use your title to introduce your post and give an insight into what it is about but it’s also an excellent idea to leave the audience wanting more. Add a touch of intrigue to encourage the reader to want to delve deeper.

Summary

The title of a blog post can make the difference between a reader skimming past the article and taking the time to read and enjoy the post. Whether you’re a blogger or you have a blog on your business website, it’s crucial to understand the importance of the headline and to use the title to persuade the audience to click on and read the post. Be imaginative, use tried and tested winning formulas, analyse responses to previous posts, think carefully about the language you use and test different options.