It’s possible for millions of people to read a website story and it starts with the headline.
Write an attention-getting headline to grab and keep a reader. Provide original stories and content to keep them on your website.
Headline Tips:
1. Headlines=Readers
When people read your website, eyes naturally scan page content left to right. Headlines either pull readers in or push them away. Compel readers but don’t fake them out. You have to provide information that can back up the promise on top of the story or article.
2. Make Time to Write Headlines
Take a minute before or after writing to get creative with headlines. Play with words.
3. Beware the Double Entendre
Many headlines send readers in different directions than planned because words used have double meanings. Be careful what you write. You might say something you didn’t mean to.
For Example:
Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
Obesity Study Looks for Larger Test Group
Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Space
Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half
Teacher’s Strike Hurts Many Kids
One Armed Suspect Found in Alley
4. The Best Headlines Don’t Need Copy
5. Get a Second Opinion
Most people learn headline disasters first hand. A second set of eyes will catch unintended meanings in words before clients will.
Read headlines aloud and make sure that someone else reads them. Put them down for a while and look at them again before running them.
Jay Leno features a Headlines segment on his show because there are so many poorly written headlines with unintentional meanings.
6. Come Back to It
Great ideas take time. Write a headline and come back to it later. The second or third draft is usually the best effort.
7. Spell Check
It doesn’t matter if you know how to spell because spell check covers the alphabetically challenged.
