Explode your views with these 7 killer headline tips (step 5)
Insights from a guy who just loves copywriting.
My writing involves a 5 step writing system.
Over the last 4 days, I've covered these steps:
Produce fresh content
Use outlines
Make it look beautiful
Power up your words
Let's dive into step 5.
It’s hard to get people to click on your post or open your email.
You invest hours in researching and writing. You think what you’ve published is worth reading. But then the views are crushingly low.
You feel devastated.
The problem is people have so many choices on how to spend those 4 minutes. Your title is a tough task. It needs to get people to stop scrolling. It then has to push them to take that extra step & click.
But all those hours of writing are a waste. Unless your title grabs attention.
No one used to click on my writing. The titles were awful. It took me a long time to work out how to craft a compelling title. After lots of experimenting, I finally cracked it.
Here are the 7 tactics I use so people can’t resist clicking.
Apply these tips to Medium, email headers, and blog posts.
1. Use this process to find a brilliant title
I used to pour all my energy into my article.
Then exhausted & empty I’d quickly think of a good title and click publish.
I’d be deflated. Almost zero views. This made me reevaluate how I used my time. Writing a title that gets clicks is hard. A good title is not enough. You need an irresistible title.
This takes effort. You should spend 15 minutes crafting a title.
You also need an effective process.
A professor divided his class in half and gave each group different instructions.
Group 1 was asked to take the best photo they could in 60 minutes.
Group 2 was asked to take as many photos as possible in 60 minutes. And then pick the best one.
Those in Group 2 produced better photos.
Generating lots of titles is the easiest way to create 1 brilliant title.
Here’s a simple process to follow:
Force yourself to write 7 titles
Look at the titles of top authors for inspiration
Then write 3 more titles
Pick the best from the 10 you’ve generated
2. Know what gets clicks
People click if they want to read your article.
And they’ll want to read if they:
like the topic
think it’s for them
desire the benefits
Your goal is not clicks but the right clicks. You want your target readers to click. This means being clear on what your article will cover. Don’t try to be clever using puns or trendy ideas.
If you are writing about money. Is it for people with no income? Or those who spend too much? Is it for those who are too scared to think about money?
Clarifying your target reader is crucial. Write for everyone and you write for non-one.
But being clear on the topic and who the article is for.
Isn’t enough to get clicks though.
You need to create desire.
3. Boost the benefits
A classic mistake new writers make is to focus on the information they provide.
The truth is you need to do something for the reader.
You need to convey a promise. When people click what will they gain? This will stimulate their desire to click. The stronger you can make this the more attractive your writing will be.
Some are uncomfortable doing this they don’t want to be too clickbaity.
Clickbait means being irresistible to click. But having an offer that can’t be delivered on.
Examples of clickbait titles:
One money hack to make you rich beyond your wildest dreams.
5 writing habits that will give you a best seller
Do this to make you irresistible to women
The promises in these articles are ridiculous. No writing can fulfill these claims. Clickbait might get you clicks but it loses you respect. You won’t grow with this approach.
Instead offer attractive benefits that you can deliver
Here are a few examples from my recent writing:
9 Free Apps To Change Your Life
The offer you'll have a good life. This is made stronger with the detail of 9 free tools.
That’s Why Your Writing Has No Views
I love suspense, which is evident in my articles. I also provide valid reasons for why you might not be getting views.
10 Rules I Follow Everyday
To have a good life, you just have to follow some simple rules. I shared that in this.
How Ultra-Successful People Get It Done
Clearly demonstrated how to do the right things, rather than just doing things right.
4. How long should your title be?
I made the mistake in my early writing of having short titles.
I thought my article should read like a book title. Sharp and short.
Turns out I was wrong.
If your title doesn’t answer the 3 questions in points 1 & 2. It won’t get clicks. This means it needs to be longer. Typical 2 lines.
There are a few tricks you can use to keep it sharp even though it is longer.
Use brackets:
How I’ve Come Up With 500+ Article Ideas (While Running An Agency)
Question & answer:
Ever Wonder Why You’re Not Happy? Maybe It’s Not You​
The two-parter:
How to Get Sh*t Done. Commit for 21 Days​
5. Use numbers
Numbers are the easiest way to upgrade your title.
They clarify the article.
9 = lots of info but each point won’t be detailed.
1 key = suggests a deep dive with a specific focus.
Numbers create curiosity and make a title very appealing. Odd numbers work better than even numbers (unless it is 10).
Numbers make the article specific. Which is our next tip.
6. Be specific
Being more specific makes your article more attractive.
We think being specific will exclude people. But it makes it more appealing.
For example:
Topic — Personal development
more specific — productivity
more specific — resisting distractions
more specific — using your phone less
As your topic gets more specific you can see how it gets more appealing. This is because a reader can visualize the topic more.
Vague is boring.
You can do the same with your audience.
Audience — everyone
more specific — online creators
more specific — writers on Medium
more specific — writers on Medium who feel they are failing
Aiming for a more specific audience will draw them like a magnet.
You can name your audience in your title:
No, You Don’t Need (More) Experience to Become a Successful Writer​
Audience = writers on Medium without experience.
But sometimes your audience is implied:
Stop Trying to ‘Build an Audience’ Focus On Just 1 Thing​
Audience = Content creators who are trying to build an audience.
Being more specific on topic and audience will magnetize your titles
7. Upgrade your language
I find myself using the same words all the time.
Here are a few favorites:
Increase
Improve
Find
Get more
Add
Unfortunately, this can get boring.
Using a thesaurus you can inject more excitement into your writing
Increase = explode
Improve = upgrade
Find = discover
Get more = attract
Add = inject
You need to keep your writing simple and understandable. So don’t make it look like you’ve swallowed a dictionary.
But before you click publish. Try to freshen up any of the boring words. This is a helpful tactic for writing generally. Notice which words you always turn to. And find alternatives.
I realize these 7 tips take time and effort. But I promise you the results are worth it
Don’t waste a great article with a poor title.
Enjoy,
Zohvib
PS. I've seen coaching delivering quick results for writers I help. If you want to grow quickly, simply book a slot with me here.