Everyday, hundreds of thousands of pieces of content are published on the Internet. If you’re going to spend the time creating posts, you’ll also want to take the time to put a great title on the peice so that people click on it in search engine results. And, beyond writing the best blog titles (aka, titles that appeal to the audience you’re targeting), compelling content needs to be contextual. It needs to address a particular buyer persona and speak to that persona’s “pain points” and challenges.
That’s when it becomes compelling for your audience.
So, you ask, what makes for “click-able” and share-able content?
The findings are interesting! Read below for more!
1.) Frame your blog post title as a question.
- Why is the sky blue? – Right
- The sky is blue and here’s why. – Incorrect
People typically put question-based searches into the search bar, so it would make sense to make your blog post titles into a question-based format. And in fact, it’s also a great way to come up with your blog titles in the first place – figure out what questions people have about your business, and put them into an FAQ page, as well as expand on them in your blog.
2.) Tell them what’s in it for them…make it actionable…
Why does your audience want to take time out of their day to read this blog post?
Nobody wants to read a post unless it has something to do with what they need. So start the post off by letting them know how you can help them succeed. Create a title that includes what can help them get what they want. Talk about what’s interesting to them.
Some examples:
The 10 Best-Tasting Items to Buy at Trader Joe’s
5 Things to Remember the Next Time You Play Chess
How to Improve Your Golf Game by Five Strokes
3.) Use original language.
With the influx of content, we’ve all heard overused catch phrases that seem to lose significance and meaning.
As I scrolled through my Facebook page the other day, I saw five different people use the phrases “I love you to the moon and back.” And “I love you to pieces.” It’s more powerful when you use phrases that not a lot of people are using.
4.) Make it brief.
Drawn-out titles can lose a potential reader’s interest pretty quickly. Tell your readers why they’d want to click on this blog post right away.
5.) Be definitive and confident in your writing.
You are the authority on your topic area. You have a wealth of information to teach your audience. Remember this and be forthcoming and strong in what you tell your audience – share the juicy stuff that will answer the questions that they have.
6.) Be Intriguing. What would you be curious to click on?
A picture says a thousand words. Find material that would appeal to your audience. If you’re helping photographers market online, you might want to point them to others that have been leaders in their space.
Here’s an example: “10 Impressive Instagram Profiles to Follow”
All in all, stick to the basic rule of using language that speaks to your unique audience. Address them as they would want to be addressed and give them information that will be useful and actionable in their industry. You’ll find that your content is read, and shared and given the attention that it deserves.
