Whether you’re writing an article or publishing a news story, great headlines grab attention and draw readers in. They can be playful, evocative, or just plain interesting. They can also be helpful or informative. And they should always accurately reflect the content that follows them. Misleading headlines can turn off readers and cause them to abandon the story.
Often, the best headline ideas are born from personal experience. They may be triggered by a conversation, an event or even just something that happens in the daily world around you. That’s why it’s so important to write them down — on your phone, on paper or in an email to yourself (hey, that’s one of our favorite tips).
The “how-to” headline is a reader-favorite because it promises actionable information. It’s also easy for writers to compose and effective at catching attention because it uses popular trigger words such as “reveal,” “secret” and “exclusive.”
This type of headline works well when the topic is time-sensitive or relevant to current events. It taps into readers’ fear of missing out and can significantly boost click-through rates.
The controversial headline is a classic that never goes out of style. It’s a way to get people talking about the story and it can help generate a lot of interest in an otherwise dull or overly-broad subject. This is especially true when the headline is backed up by factual statistics and other data that reinforce the claim.
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