Headlines take up to 50% of your post effectiveness. A good headline will attract someone to click on it. In order for someone to click on your headline, you have to create a headline that connects them in some way. Let us take a look at 4 different headline categories that connect with your audience.
(1) Question
A question headline is exactly what it sounds; it asks a question. The question has to relate to the content it linked to, and it should leave the reader wondering the answer. The person who reads the headline will feel that he needs help with your topic and click on your headline. Remember to at least tease the answer in your introduction to keep your reader interested.
Example: “Are you struggling with getting more Instagram followers?”
(2) Benefit
A benefit headline offers a quick preview of what your readers will get after they read your content. Studies have shown that headlines with numbers can generate 73% more shares and engagement. The higher the number, the higher the engagement rate. Also, studies found that using odd numbers is more effective in generating engagement compared to even numbers.
Example: “Tactics that help your Instagram followers to grow for 200%”
(3) How-To
Infographics are a great tool for visual teaching and learning and deliver information directly to your audience’s brain. I
A how-to headline offers actionable steps to the readers to improve their performance on something. How-to headlines are commonly seen as they are very effective. When your audience searches for information, probably because they want to know how to do something better. Therefore you can provide helpful content for them and position your business as a source of useful information.
Example: “How to increase your Instagram followers in an organic way”
(4) List post
A list post headline provides a summary of content or information for a certain topic. Some frequently used words for list post headlines include top 10 reasons, 10 ways, 10 tips, 10 steps, and so on. The possibilities for list posts are endless, it gets the second most shares on social media just after infographics. These headlines give your readers a chance to discover the subheads to see if it will be useful for them in the future.
Example: “10 ways to increase your Instagram followers in an organic way”
Conclusion
It will be discouraging when you spend hours on creating a fabulous infographic but doesn’t get expected feedback. But just like Keep in mind that the headlines you are writing are something that you would be interested in. Make your headlines as specific as you could, avoid generic headlines. Question, benefit, how-to, and list post headlines have a better chance to get reader’s interest, social shares, and overall SEO value.
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