And I understand why. The legitimacy of spending hours crafting titles comes down to a simple rule of “hook and skinker”.
Let me explain.
The internet is full of information, correct? Let’s say you’re a blogger. Pick a topic, any topic, and chances are, someone somewhere has blogged about it. If you happen to pick a popular blogging niche, chances are that a simple Google search for a popular keyword will result in tens if not hundreds of blog posts on the same topic. Which one do you think gets more clicks?
The ones on the first page 🙂 Yeah, SEO plays a huge role. But let’s forget SEO for a minute and focus on which title on the very first page of Google’s search results gets the most clicks.
In other words, it all comes down to the copy.
You see, most of you worry about setting up a blog, choosing a domain, or setting up social media platforms. All of these are very important. However, as a blogger, what’s even more important is your skill with your words.
No, you do not need to be the next Kafka or Nabokov, or even Rowling for that matter. But you do need to understand how to write in a way that gets people to actually read what you write. And that takes practice.
Here’s a piece of unsolicited advice: if you plan on making money blogging, spend some time learning about copywriting, proofreading, and editing. These are invaluable skills that will help you out in the long run. Because no matter what you think, blogging and content marketing has to do with getting people to read your stuff, and people won’t read unless your writing is compelling.
Writing a well put-together blog post is different from writing stories or essays. A good blog post is about selling. Whether your post is geared towards selling a product or a service or an idea, it’s really all about marketing. And marketing has to do with copywriting. And so, if you ask me, I’d say as a blogger you should invest in learning copywriting.
It doesn’t have to be a financial investment, per se. It can be if you have the budget for it. But it has to, at the very least, be a time investment. There are a lot of free resources out there, and you should do the best you can to learn from them.
And guess what? A good sales pitch starts with the headline. In our case, a good blog post title.
Related Posts:
– 30+ Blogging Tools to Make You More Efficient and Productive
– 10 Powerful Topics That Are Guaranteed to Grow Your Blog
– 8 Surprisingly Easy Formatting Techniques That Make Your Blog Posts Extra Readable
In this post:
The Two Blog Post Title Types You Need to Master Right Away
These are known as the “How-to” type and the “List” type.
Remember how I said that you need to pinpoint a pain point and then offer a solution for getting the attention of your ideal readers?
These two post types [list and how-to] are the first indicators that grab your readers’ attention because they tell your readers that you’re about to solve a problem inside your post.
The “How-to” Type Post Titles
Perhaps the most popular type of blog post is a how-to post.
A typical how-to post is a long-form post that takes a problem your ideal reader may have, and then proposes an in-depth solution to that problem that takes the reader through the entire process of solving said problem, leaving no room for doubt or confusion.
It should be a thorough post, and the title should be clear enough for your ideal reader to understand exactly what problem you’re tackling in your blog post.
But wait, is that enough?
Of course not!
Like I said, a whole bunch of people who blog in the same niche as you are also tackling the same problem. So, how do you make sure that your readers click on your post and not others’?
By crafting a title that’s irresistibly clickable.
The best way to demonstrate that is with examples.
Let’s assume we’re tackling the topic of scoring jobs as a freelance writer.
Here are some real-world examples of possible titles:
Example 1: How to Find Freelance Writing Jobs
Note: This is a decent title. It’s straightforward, and folks who’re trying to find ways to get freelance writing gigs will likely click on this title.
Example 2: How to Find Freelance Writing Jobs and Make $500 – $2000 Per Article
Note: Killer title right there; this one comes with an added incentive — not only will you learn how to score jobs, but also jobs that pay good money. If the previous example and this one are presented together, most readers will likely click on this one over the more generic title.
Example 3: How to Be A Freelancer Writer Who Makes $500 – $2000 Per Article
Note: Similar to example 2, but the biggest difference is the emotion that’s invoked in the reader. Example 2 focuses on the task (find high-paying writing jobs), while this one focuses on the self (become a highly paid writer). I don’t know about you, but personally, I like content that promises self-improvement rather than content that seems to want us to do a lot of work. It could be the lazy side in me, but I have a feeling that a lot of readers feel the same way.
For me, example 3 is a clear winner, with example 2 being a close second.
For convenience, here are some “formulas” that you can use (with examples) to craft epic how-to type post titles that’ll explode your clicks and shares.
- How to [do/not do/avoid/be] _____
- How to Cultivate a Daily Writing Habit
- How to Make Money While You Sleep
- How to Not Write Boring Cold Pitches That Nobody Reads
- How to Avoid Feeling Overwhelmed as a Newbie Blogger
- How to Be a Conversation Starter as an Introvert
- If a simple “How to [do/be] _____” seems a bit too simple or boring, try these two tricks that I’ve learned from Jon Morrow of Smart Blogger — try adding “in X minutes” or “Like a Boss” at the end of the sentence. For example:
- How to Set Up a WordPress Blog in 15 Minutes
- How to Read 50+ Books a Year Like a Boss
- How to _____ and _____
Double the benefit is always better than a single benefit, right?- How to Create a Passive Income Stream and Make Money While You Sleep
- How to Eat Healthy and Lose Weight At the Same Time
- How to be a Virtual Assistant and Quit Your Soul-Sucking Day-Job
- How to _____ without _____
This is an interesting structure because it promises something, without another thing. In other words, you’re promising something desirable, while expelling an associated fear at the same time.- How to Get the Latest Fashion Trends in Your Wardrobe without Spending a Fortune
- How to Lose 20lbs without Starving Yourself
- How to Write Faster without Sacrificing Quality
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The “List” Type Post Titles
A “list” type post can be similar to “how-to” types in that this type of titles also promise to solve a problem. However, while a “how-to” type focuses on an elaborate solution to a certain problem, a “list” type focuses on bite-size, multiple solutions. Brevity is of the essence here.
There are three common structures for a “list” type blog post title.
– “X Ways to _____”
– “X Steps to _____”
– “X Tips for _____”
You can add interest in this structure by following up the above with “when _____”.
Example 1: 7 Ingenious Ways to Increase Traffic When You’re a New Blogger
Example 2: 10 Steps to Promoting Your Blog Post After Hitting Publish
Example 3: 5 Ways to Add More Protein In Your Diet When You’re a Vegan
Example 4: Six Tips for Staying in Shape When You Spend Most of Your Day Sitting In Front of Your Computer
A “list” type post can also be an informational post, wherein you list a number of things your readers may not have known regarding a certain topic.
The titles for such posts may start with:
- 7 Facts About _____
- 5 _____ That’ll Change Your Life
- 10 Things You Didn’t Know About _____
- 15 Things to Remember When _____
And more.
Bonus: Post Titles for Some Form of a Guide
This can be seen as a variation of a “how-to” post title. Instead of saying “How to Solve Such and Such Problems”, we can say “A Step-by-Step Guide to Solving Such and Such Problems” or “An Ultimate Guide to Solving Such and Such Problems”. You can also use a famous person’s name or a group’s name for added intensity.
Examples:
- A Step by Step Guide to Writing The Perfect Blog Post
- The Ultimate Guide to Losing 20lbs without Starving Yourself
- A Slacker’s Guide to Maximum Productivity
A blog post title depends on the topic and may not be categorized as one of the three types I mentioned above. And that’s fine. However, the three types are some of the most effective, hence their rise to popularity.
Three Tips to Enhance Your Blog Post Titles
In this section, I’ll walk you through three different ways you can enhance your blog post titles to increase clickability.
Use Adjectives That Empower A Sentiment
Strong adjectives, also known as power words, are super useful to create a stronger impression through your post titles. This, in turn, makes your titles more alluring and increases clicks and shares. For example, compare the two titles below:
5 Tips to Adding More Protein in Your Diet When You’re a Vegan
VS.
5 Surprising Tips to Adding More Protein […]
In the above example, the word “surprising” adds curiosity which makes readers want to click and learn what surprising tips you’re talking about.
Here’s another example:
Fifteen Mind-Blowing Facts About Composting That You Didn’t Know Before
In the title above, the term “mind-blowing” catches a reader’s attention which prompts them to click on it, as opposed to a title without it.
Writing a good blog post title has a lot to do with manipulating the human psyche. Now, some people may feel put off by the idea of manipulation. But, think about it. Manipulation isn’t by default a bad thing. If you’re manipulating your ideal readers into reading a blog post knowing that what you have to share will benefit them, then I see nothing wrong with using manipulation to increase your chances of getting more clicks and reads.
Here’s an article from OptinMonster that has 700+ power words to boost your clickability.
Use Extreme Emotions
The point of writing an epic blog post title is to grab a hold of your readers’ attention and making sure they can’t see anything else but your title.
You can do this by evoking strong emotion. One way to do so is by using power words as described above. But you can take it to the next level and write a title that either makes your ideal readers take a breath of relief or scare the living daylight out of them.
What do I mean?
Let’s take a look at some examples of post titles that put your readers’ minds to ease.
- How to Get Booked Out with Web-Design Clients Even If You Suck at Pitching Your Services
- 5 Incredibly Easy Ways to Stay in Shape Even if You Sit Inside a Cubicle All Day
- 10 Badass Tips to Making Money from Home Even if You’re a Full-time Mommy
In the examples above, the titles do two things. They address a “problem” and offer something desirable despite the problems. In the first title, the reader’s problem is that they aren’t good at pitching. However, the title promises being completely booked out with web-design clients, despite the handicap of not being good at pitching. The second the third example titles work the same way.
Now, let’s take a look at some examples where you scare the crap out of your readers.
- 15 Horrible Email Subjects That’ll Never Get Opened by Potential Clients
- 10 Dumb Marketing Mistakes That’ll Kill Your Business
- 7 Social Media Myths That Will Have Adverse Effect on Your Blog’s Growth
In the examples above, the titles address a desirable outcome that is hindered by taking the wrong actions. Readers would be instantly hooked to these titles because they’d be anxious to find out if they’re making the same mistakes you’re referring to.
Pitch Something Controversial
Another way to get your readers’ attention is by saying something controversial, or by challenging their conventional wisdom.
For example,
- 5 Reasons You Should Stop Editing Your Articles Before Publishing
- 10 Tips for Losing Weight While You Continue to Binge on Sugar
- 7 Reasons Why Anger is Good for You
There you go. This should give you enough material and ideas to start practicing writing killer blog post titles and headlines. And yes, this is something you need to practice if you want to be a blogger whose posts people actually want to read!
I just want to add one more thing before I finish this post. These are some great strategies for crafting sensational post titles that’ll get you tons of clicks and shares. However, you need to be just as vigilant when writing the blog post. Do not clickbait your readers and then feed them crap. The post title is just the beginning. As I said, it’s where the magic starts. But the magic definitely doesn’t end with the title.
If you want to be a blogger that people look up to and if you wish to be considered a teacher or a mentor to your readers, then you need to continue providing value and fulfill the promise(s) you make in that post title.
With that said, have I missed a stellar strategy for coming up with irresistible post titles? If you know something that I’ve missed, please share with me and all the other readers in the comments below.
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85 thoughts on “How to Write Epic Blog Post Titles That Are Irresistibly Clickable”
Thanks for the wonderful content
This was a great read filled with numerous useful tips and tools for both new and seasoned bloggers. So much to unpack here. Thank you for sharing.
By the way, your site is very nice.
Thank you 🙂
I am new to blogging and these tips are so helpful. I especially like the How To section and the ways to create titles around that. Thank you so much for sharing
Thank you, Maria 🙂
A blog post title should be more attractive.
Title of your blog grabs the attention of the viewer and compels them to click on.
Thanks! for sharing the idea about how to write a profitable blog post title.
Maliha, WOW! I am so impressed by your creativity and your helpfulness. This post is so so good. I’ve been blogging for a couple of years now, but admittedly, it has been inconsistent. Your tips here really help spark fresh ideas that keep those creative juices flowing.
I see what you’re saying about the ‘manipulation factor’ too. In all honesty, crafting those ‘bait-worthy blog post titles’ always made me feel a bit cheesy. If we really are aiming to write high value content that genuinely helps people – why not make the title as irresistible as possible?
Thanks again. So much to digest here. I’ll be sharing on social media. ❤️
Thanks for the kind words, Holly 🙂
These tips are spectacular. Thank you very much. I own a distillery in South Africa and I’m using my blog as a differentiator in industry despite our numerous alcohol prohibitions so thank you.
Thanks 🙂
Great, great info here. Thank you.
Very good tips, helped me a lot.
This was so incredibly useful, thank you for sharing. I am implementing your techniques into my own blog and they are working. So helpful. Thank you!
Thanks, Elle 🙂
Everything is sales haha!
The one problem I can see with these great tips is this: character count. I feel like I want the entire title to show up in google search, and short titles read easier too.
Really good tips! Thank you!
Thanks, you help me with this topic
This is very helpful. I have been looking for a post exactly like this forever. Thank you so much for the help. ? Have an amazing day.
These are very helpful tips. So glad I stumbled across your tip page, thanks for all the valuable information!
Thank you for the comments 🙂
Oh wow, this is so useful! I suck at clickbaity titles! So I bookmarked some of the examples to inspire me for my next writing session 😉 thanks again, have a great day!
Great post. Very helpful.
Awesome post! I really enjoyed reading through. You really caught and sustained my attention.
Thank you for the insight!
Thank you for all the great info! I used your article as part of my maters program research. This weeks topic was Blog writing and editing- your info was so helpful!
Thanks Sara 🙂
Hello,
If you created a PDF with all the titles ideas… I would be very interested 🙂
Thank you for this great article.
Laura
Thanks, Laura. That’s a great idea and I’ll keep it in mind for the future 🙂
Great lists. These tips are super useful for getting clicks. It would be great to have a pin of 20 different title examples to edit for your own use.
This has helped me so much that i revamped all my titles in blog. Thank you so much. I am more excited and equipped to continue in my blogging journey.
Haha, good going Nicole 😀
And good luck!
Superb post! I knew there were reasons why I read specific articles online. As I read your post, I thought about my college papers & realized that the ones with “sexy” titles were usually well received by my professors.
Haha thanks! Gotta get their attention first, eh?
Love this, I pinned it. It is a very helpful and informative post, I will start applying what I just learned. Thanks for sharing (:
Thank you, Angie.
This is probably the best breakdown of writing headlines I’ve ever read. Thank you!
Thanks Jennifer 🙂