THE 5 REASONS WHY YOUR HEADLINES ARE ON LIFE SUPPORT

AND HOW YOU CAN BRING THEM BACK RIGHT NOW

If you’re spending hours crafting perfect content for your audience and only taking a minute to write a headline, then...

YOU’RE MAKING A BIG MISTAKE!

THE HUMBLE HEADLINE //Remember that 80% of readers don’t make it past the headline of an article.

Here are 5 reasons why your headlines are on life support and what you can do to fix them...

1. They’re not urgent.

A perfect headline creates a sense of urgency for your reader. It will make your reader want to act now for fear of missing out (FOMO).

WISHPOND TIP:Use action-based words to incite action from your readers.

Example:

8 Methods To Make Waking Up Easier Tomorrow Morning

2. They’re not powerful.

Does your headline invoke emotion? Does it cause the reader to feel something?

WISHPOND TIP:Create a sense of emotional value for your reader. Take a polarizing stance and make your reader feel.

Example:

23 Emotions I Felt During the Game of Thrones Season Premiere

3. They’re not offbeat.

Is your headline expected or is it out-of-the-ordinary? Does it come from left-field or is it just functional? Does the language make your reader do a double-take?

WISHPOND TIP:Employ a unique rationale for your article to draw your reader into your perspective.

Example:

The 10 Ways Crossfit Has Made Me a Better Blogger

4. They’re not direct.

Does your headline speak directly to your reader? Can the reader guess what’s next? Is the topic clear?

WISHPOND TIP:Start by knowing who you’re speaking to and craft your headline with them in mind. Try to hit a pain point they’re experiencing or relate to them in a specific way.

Example:

The Steadfast Rules For Getting That Second Date

5. There’s no curiosity.

Does your headline make your readers’ ears stand up upon reading it? Does it pique their interest? Does it make them want to read more?

WISHPOND TIP:Don’t give everything away all at once. Your headline must create questions in your reader’s mind.

Example:

The 5 Ways Snapchat is Making You a Horrible Person

THE 5 ELEMENTS OF A PERFECT HEADLINE

1. Urgency2. Power3. Offbeat-ness4. Directness5. Curiosity

READY FOR CHANGE?Try Wishpond and start using these tips in your content, social contests, landing pages, and emails.

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