Whether used in blog posts, search engine titles, or email subject lines, headlines are the first thing your audience sees. Without a headline that sparks curiosity or captures attention, readers will just scroll right past your content.
With short attention spans — especially on the web – the best headlines get to the point and are instantly understandable. A good headline will also make it clear why your audience should read the article, which is especially important for mobile inboxes where subject lines and search results are truncated.
These kinds of headlines set expectations about the content to come and ensure that the article delivers on that promise. Otherwise, readers will feel cheated and likely leave the page.
Question headlines engage readers by resonating with their curiosities or concerns, prompting them to click to find the answer. Question headlines are also effective at getting the attention of social media users who may share the post with their followers.
Testimonial headlines use a quote or experience from a real person (typically a customer or expert) to validate the information in your article. They are great for generating social shares and helping to build credibility.
Trending headlines grab the attention of audiences by leveraging popular news, events, or topics that are currently in the spotlight. For example, Messi Wonder Goal Seals Argentina Win would be a trending title for an article about a recent soccer match that caught the world’s attention.