How to Write Catchy Headlines
A headline can make or break an article. More importantly it can dictate whether the article is read at all. Good headlines stand out, grab the reader's attention and make him want to read the article, blog, column or whatever piece of writing it is. Bad headlines are hard to get past and leave a potential reader uninspired. It doesn't matter whether the headline is written before the article or afterward as long as it's catchy.
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Instructions
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Grab the readers' attention. Use adjectives that stir interest or excitement, such as "essential," "absolute," "incredible," "painstaking" or "strange."
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Provide information in the headline. The How-To headline works well for this. The main objective with a headline of this type is to promise the reader the article will be of use.
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Capture the readers' curiosity. Try using a question in the headline. Trigger words such as "why" or "how" can draw interest. A controversial headline also serves this purpose, as well a gossip-type headline. A headline such as "Top Reasons Why Men Cheat" answers a question women are curious about, has a gossip feel to it and offers a hint of controversy.
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Command the reader to pay attention to the headline by displaying authority. The traditional newspaper-type headline accomplishes this well. Advice columns also use command headlines effectively. Examples such as "Economy In Recession," "Earthquake in California," "Make More Money This Year" and "Improve Your Relationships" are all commanding headlines.
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List facts and use numbers. Words such as "lessons," "ideas," "secrets" and "facts" fit this sort of headline. Combined with a number, this sort of headline becomes useful; it combines elements of other headline styles by providing information, commanding authority and capturing curiosity.
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Tips & Warnings
Short, succinct headlines are better than long ones. Using active words are better than using passive ones.
