Your Articles Suck because Your Headlines Suck!
Marketers often have processes they follow in writing articles, especially if they are designed to boost website traffic. Most start off by doing some research on keywords. Next they will probably start with the body of the article, trying to include their keywords. Once they are complete, they will probably try to come up with a catchy headline.
I suggest you flip this process on it’s head and come up with the headline first. Your headline is what will attract clicks and is the most important aspect of any article. Of course, the body of the article needs to be high quality and support the headline. It needs to interesting and informative. You may disagree with this however, it’s my opinion keywords should be the last thing you consider. Sure they are important, but you should never sacrifice the quality of your articles for them. I’d suggest you run over your article when you are proofing it and give yourself a little keyword boost where you can without damaging how it reads.
Here are some of the strategies you can follow in creating just the right article headline to boost site traffic:
1. Provide a Benefit
Make sure your target readers know what they can get out of your article through your headline. If you can fill a need or solve a problem they have, they will click for more.
2. Ask a Question
Headlines that ask questions catch people’s attention quickly and easily. Highlight a common need your target market experiences and allude to the fact that you have the solution and you will attract loads of readers.
3. Create a List
List’s tend to do really well particularly when they are an odd number. For example ‘7 ways to X Y Z.”
4. How to’s
Often people search online to find out how to do something. They are looking for instructions and guidelines. ‘How to’ headlines are a great idea when you are struggling for a headline.
5. Do Not Forget “You”
Make your target readers feel special by using “you” or “your” in your article’s title. This will make them feel that you are talking to them directly. It will make them feel that you are specifically addressing their situation.
6. Use Humour or Controversy
Humour or controversy can go a long way in attracting readers. People cannot resist a good laugh or controversial topic. People love anything that inspires debate and it’s bound to get a response. Just watch the comments flood in.
Hope this helps your article writing. Let me know your thoughts!
