11) Headlining and Sub-Headlining Effective Content Pieces (OUTDATED)
Article titles (headlines), as well as subheadlines, are one of the first things a reader reads.
In this discussion, we will understand effective strategies to write headline titles as well as subheadlines to these titles.
Some general tips include:
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Avoid long article titles: try to fit the title within 62 characters or limit it to 5-7 words.
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Consider using “What”, “Why”, “How”, or “When” as these are catchy and add to curiosity.
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Use Numbers - numbers ensure the availability of organized information, and are generally liked: using Odd Numbers in the title has helped in terms of SEO. Remember to write the number itself (5 instead of five).
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To add specificity, consider using “the” before the number.
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Provide an answer to why people should click and read your content: words like “tips”, “strategies”, “facts”, “reasons” all help provide a rationale.
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Include the word “Guide” where applicable.
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Consider using emotional adjectives that describe the topic. For example, “essential”, “free” etc.
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Consider outlining Negative aspects - spin this to meet mental health content goals. For example, The 5 Essential Things You Did Not Know About Depression.
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Use common words to ensure people understand and grasp the topic while finding the title simple
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Consider using a “Things I Wish I Had Known” approach to content if applicable.
How to test your headline as being unique:
Copy and paste your headline with quotation marks into the Google search bar. (e.g. “The 5 Essential Things You Did Not Know About Depression”) - if the results come back as “no results found”, your headline is unique!
Helpful Resource: Useful Title Capitalization Tool
Note: The bottom line to success in terms of marketing and content is to ensure that your content body reflects the great headline/title. It might be worth considering to write final titles after the content body.
Subheadlines: Effective subheadlines summarize the content body while also linking it to the title.
Activity
Using the knowledge attained through this discussion, propose a new article title as well as a subheadline for this published article at 7 Cups.
Reply to at least one other student’s response and share your feedback with them
(Edited by @SoulfullyAButterfly: 12/2/2021 to clarify "subheadline" instead of subheading)
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@SoulfullyAButterfly Topic:
Sign that your therapists/counselors are red flag
Sub-heading:
Introduction
Role of therapist/counselor
Sign of Red flag:
Conclusion
@Eitas oh i mean
Title: 5 Signs your therapists/counselors are red flag that you must avoid
Sub heading: Be careful when you meet these kind of therapists/counselors
@Eitas
I like the topic, it's brave and very real. Some people feel that a therapist is a therapist, but it is not one size fits all so putting this up as a topic will be very helpful. As a constructive critic, and only because going into therapy, you may be very vulnerable and easily swayed from going forward, in the sub heading that, included are the contracting green flags to watch for to show a good therapist.
I really admire this topic :)
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Heading:
Using the knowledge attained through this discussion, propose a new article title as well as a subheadline for this published article at 7 Cups.
Main: How to Manage Loneliness During the Holiday Season
10 ways to survive loneliness and related emotions
@EventHorizons
-I like how your title and subheadline are direct and clearly communicate the focus of the article.
-It’s great that you’re providing a specific number of tips, which makes it clear that the article will offer actionable advice.
-However, the word "survive" might come across as a bit harsh. Perhaps using a more positive term like "navigate" or "overcome" could help set a more uplifting tone.
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Headline: Poor body image, the large corporations dream
Sub-headline: Helpful steps to help negate the feeling that you must fit the image they are selling
@Cathylistens
This looks refreshing and straight to the point.
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Title: How To Navigate The Loneliness During Holiday Seasons?
Subheadline: 6 steps to help us embrace and experience joy while being alone
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Chasing Away the Holiday Blues: Creative Ways to Celebrate
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Headline: Loneliness During The Holidays
Subheadline: 6 Ways to Combat Isolation
@sleepysalem really inspiring ideas!
Title: Lonely for the Holidays? How to Find Comfort and Connection
Subheadline: Practical tips to ease loneliness during the festive season
@pikaTangerine1
Those are some good headlines, both are rather interesting and would for sure capture the eyes of an audience. Thank you for sharing those with us!
Thank you! 🙏
Title: Finding Ways through Loneliness
Subheadline: How to Navigate Loneliness in Healthy Ways
@InsightfulPhoenix
Great headlines. You have done a good job making them concise and unique.
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Headline:
How to Heal from the Holiday Blues
Subheadline:
The 7 top tricks to fight off frosty feelings this winter.
I also used this helpful website for emotional/trigger words: https://coschedule.com/headlines/trigger-words
@Raven2711
The alliteration in your header is so catchy. Nice job!