How To Write Titles That Compel People to Read And Republish Your Online Articles
Pop quiz:What is the most important part of your online article? Obviously that question is a no brainer.
The most important part of any piece of writing is the title or headline.
But with online articles, the title/headline is doubly important.
Not only must it pull readers into your article by making them want to read it, it must also attract other webmasters or newsletter publishers so that they will want to reprint your article, thus creating that all-important "viral effect" online article writers all strive for.
And as you hopefully already know, when your article "goes viral,"meaning it starts appearing on many sites all over the web, that is when it starts producing many, many links that all point toward your website.
And those inbound links are why most of us write online articles in the first place.
So how do you write a compelling title or headline? As a starting point, I would recommend that you pick up a copy of "Tested Advertising Methods " by John Caples.
John Caples is a copywriting legend who pioneered the concept of scientifically testing ads and direct mail to objectively determine which ones pulled in the highest profits.
According to Caples, the headline of an ad (or direct mail piece) was the single most important part of the copy.
So important, that he devoted four of his eighteen chapters to the subject of what headlines produced the greatest response.
Based on the results of decades of testing, he determined that the following ingredients are essential for a compelling headline:
Don't be satisfied with the first title you write.
Make a list of many possible titles, you will increase your chances of coming up with on solid performer.
And what about the titles you don't use?Write more articles on the same subject and you won't have those good titles going to waste.
The most important part of any piece of writing is the title or headline.
But with online articles, the title/headline is doubly important.
Not only must it pull readers into your article by making them want to read it, it must also attract other webmasters or newsletter publishers so that they will want to reprint your article, thus creating that all-important "viral effect" online article writers all strive for.
And as you hopefully already know, when your article "goes viral,"meaning it starts appearing on many sites all over the web, that is when it starts producing many, many links that all point toward your website.
And those inbound links are why most of us write online articles in the first place.
So how do you write a compelling title or headline? As a starting point, I would recommend that you pick up a copy of "Tested Advertising Methods " by John Caples.
John Caples is a copywriting legend who pioneered the concept of scientifically testing ads and direct mail to objectively determine which ones pulled in the highest profits.
According to Caples, the headline of an ad (or direct mail piece) was the single most important part of the copy.
So important, that he devoted four of his eighteen chapters to the subject of what headlines produced the greatest response.
Based on the results of decades of testing, he determined that the following ingredients are essential for a compelling headline:
- Appeal to self-interest.
In other words, start off strong with benefits that show readers how to solve a problem or create a desired change.
Put the focus on the reader and what the reader wants, not on what you want to tell the reader. - News.
Readers don't want to reread the same old thing over and over again.
This is why marketers are always touting "new and improved" products.
Over time, we all pick up that "been there, done that, seen that" attitude.
Communicate to your readers that the solutions you are offering in your article are not the same old tired ways they have already seen before.
Come up with a new angle, new slant or new way of presenting your material. - Curiosity.
Caples goes to great lengths to say that curiosity has its place, but there is a reason he puts it third on his list.
You've seen expensive ads in trendy magazines that just relied on curiosity, but lacked any appeal to self-interest.
Chances are these ads did poorly.
But if you appeal to self-interest or announced something new, and in addition you also snuck in an element of curiosity, your article's headline can produce excellent results for you. - Quick and easy way.
Fast results, no hassle, easy to do.
Those are all strong motivators in our rush-rush world.
If your title shows readers how to solve a problem or create a change in a quick and easy way, you very likely have a winner.
Don't be satisfied with the first title you write.
Make a list of many possible titles, you will increase your chances of coming up with on solid performer.
And what about the titles you don't use?Write more articles on the same subject and you won't have those good titles going to waste.
