How to Write Headlines That Hook Your Readers and Reel Them into Your Posts

Ever noticed how you skim headlines before clicking on the one that intrigues you?

You’re not the only one. Boring headlines don’t grab attention.

How important is your headline?

Until you get your readers past the headline, the effort on creating quality content won’t matter.

Astonishing, isn’t it? Prospects will never read your killer content unless you reel them in with a great headline.

That’s why you must spend as much time nailing down a killer headline as you do writing your blog post.

So, how do you write a headline that captivates your readers?

Here is how.

1. Address Your Reader’s Self Interest

On the web, we often browse dozens of headlines, seeking answers to our problems.

That’s why headlines offering simple, practical advice attract us.

Do you work full time and can’t find time to write? Then “17 Insanely Easy Tips to Steal Time to Write When You Work Full-Time” would entice you right away because it promises simple ways of solving your problem.

So, at a glance, your headline should show why someone should spend their valuable time reading your article. In short, what do readers get out of your blog post?

2. Turn it Up a Notch

Some words grab your attention and evoke strong emotions as soon as you hear them.

These words are crucial to the effectiveness of a headline. They generate a strong emotional response from readers and encourage them to click on the headline.

They’re called “power words.”

Power words:

• Provoke fear (E.g., Devastating, Epidemic, Massacre, Hazardous).
• Encourage and energize (E.g., Marvelous, Amazing, Sensational, Splendid).
• Elicit desire (E.g., Entice, Seductive, Tease, Sex)
• Incite anger (E.g., Sneaky, Horrid, Useless, Trash)

For instance, “spectacular” is a power word. If you were touring New York City and you heard someone say, “The Statue of Liberty is a spectacular sight,” wouldn’t you like to see it?

Use power words in your headlines whenever you can.

3. Start Your Headline with These Phrases

Copywriters have assessed many headline types over the years to find the most effective.

Thus, we know what headline formats work best.

Although there is always room for improvement, many of these formulas are useful, no matter what. And Your readers are already accustomed to them and will respond to them instinctively.

Because headlines are crucial to getting blog subscribers and reader traffic, be careful about experimenting with your headlines.

“How to” headlines and list posts are the most straightforward templates to start with. For example:

“How to” Headlines

• How to Make Your Blog Post Stand Out in a Sea of Noise
• How to Write Headlines That Hook Your Readers and Reel Them into Your Posts
• How to Power-Up Your Writing Even When Your Topic is Uninteresting

List Post Headlines

• 19 Powerful Ways to Entice Your Readers to Love Your Writing
• 17 Insanely Easy Tips to Steal Time to Write When You Work Full Time
• 11 Uplifting Quotes from Famous Writers to Inspire You to Be a More Productive Writer

Use proven templates to keep things clear for your readers.

4. Readers Love Rationale

To read your article, people need a good reason.

So, including a rational justification in your headline helps convince readers of the value of your article.

Do you want your readers to get expert advice or access unique or insider information? Then use words like tips, tricks, or secrets in your headline.

Would you like your readers to find a fresh approach to an important topic? Then use words like reasons, strategies, or principles in your headline.

To make sure people read your article, give them a strong reason to click your headline.

5. Enchant Your Readers with Emotional Words

Headlines that are abstract leave readers feeling empty.

How do you write headlines that are concrete and easy to understand?

You use empathy. You put yourself in your reader’s shoes. You feel what they feel and think what they think.

If your headline articulates your reader’s experience, they will feel you wrote the post just for them. For example:

Let’s say you blog about freelancing, and you wrote a headline like this:

“How to Make Money Freelancing”

This headline is okay, but it could be made more concrete like this:

“How to Generate Steady Income with Retainer Agreements (Even if You’ve Never Done It Before)”

6. There’s Strength in Numbers

Headlines that contain numbers attract readers.

Numbers are an attention-getter because they tell readers what kind of commitment they’re making. For example, 11 steps to achieving a goal.

Furthermore, they’re another excellent way to flag readers and make them read your headline.

Interesting or shocking statistics and significant figures grab your reader’s attention. How to Increase Your Income by 1000% will likely make a reader click your headline because a 1000% increase in income is a significant statistic.

Also, list posts are popular because they signal to the reader that they are easy to browse and give your headline a sense of urgency and credibility.

Thus, number-based and list post titles are safe bets and should be part of your headline strategy.

7. Questions Arouse Curiosity

On the internet, we Google for information because we are curious and want answers.

And often, when we search the internet, we use phrases like How I do, Why is it, or How can I. We search by asking questions.

Question headlines are a powerful way to grab the reader’s curiosity since the brain tends to crave answers.

Here’s an example of a question headline from Smartblogger.com: “Is Your Writing Missing This Crucial Ingredient?”

Wouldn’t you click on this headline if you were grappling with your writing?

8. Don’t Give Away the Solution

Are you giving away too much in your headline?

Your headline should intrigue but not give the solution to your audience. For instance:

Let’s say you blog about fitness and wrote the headline below:

“How to Lose 100lbs in 4 Weeks by Running 5 miles a Day”

This headline gives your solution without the need for any further reading. Readers won’t be motivated to read your blog post.

You could rewrite it as below:

“How to Lose Weight Fast — Quick and Easy Tips”

The second headline speaks to a particular audience, and promotes a solution they want without giving away too much.

9. Don’t Be Too Cleaver

Readers will leave if they have to spend time figuring out your headline’s intended meaning. For example:

“21 Easy-Peasy tips that Diminish Your Sleeping Problems Like Kryptonite”

Avoid using cliché statements or unfamiliar references in your headlines because not everyone knows them. And you might be reaching out to a diverse group of individuals.

You should state what you are promising in your headline. Keep humor and obscure references to a minimum. Otherwise, you’ll lose your audience.

Make sure that your readers understand your headline.

A Powerful Headline is the Best Gift You Can Give to Your Blog Post

Great work!
You now know how to write great headlines.

You know that at a glance, your headline should show why someone should spend their valuable time reading your article.

You also know the importance of not giving away the solution in your headline and how to make your headlines emotional and concrete.

Like any skill, writing headlines gets better over time.
Keep practicing and eventually, you’ll learn what works and what doesn’t.

And you’ll become a better headline writer.

So, give it a go. Have fun.