When you blog, you want people to READ your content. However even adults can be like children in that you have to draw them in pretty quickly in the beginning in order to hold their attention. You only have a few seconds to capture a reader’s eye. One of the single most powerful tools you have to accomplish this task when it comes to content is your blog title. There are several keys to creating a compelling blog post title.
Let’s look at this from a selling standpoint. Even if reading it is free, the goal is to get them to take action. As a business owner you are trying to get people to either see you as “the expert”, look deeper at what you offer, and maybe even buy a product or service. These tips and the action steps that follow will help you do just that.
Tip #1 – Tap into Your Readers’ Emotions
According to psychologists our buying decisions are based first and foremost on our emotions. Use blog titles which offer your readers a strong emotional benefit or reaction. Some possible emotions are:
- Optimism
- Trust
- Anticipation
- Desire
- Surprise
- Excitement
- Interest
For example, this title: “The 10-Minute Step that Will Make You The Expert You Want To Be” taps into readers’ desires to FEEL smart and powerful.
Other emotions you can tap into include the desires to FEEL:
1. Attractive
2. Assertive
3. Confident
4. Energetic
5. Pampered
6. A sense of belonging
7. Wealthy
8. Proud
9. Respected
10. Safe
Tip #2 – Make it Active
In order to compel people to take ACTION, it’s important to use active language. Make sure that you use language that shows movement and commands attention.
For example, this potential title:
“Stop Your Procrastinating Habits Today With This Simple Step,”
is a fine blog title, however it doesn’t command action nor does it really tap into any emotions. But this is an even better blog title option:
“Conquer Your Procrastinating Habits With This Simple Step.”
Conquer is an active and emotionally powerful word. Readers receive the benefit of feeling powerful and in control and it commands action.
Tip #3 – Let Your Readers Know They’re Important
The word YOU is a very powerful word. It let’s your reader’s feel as if you’re talking to them specifically and interested in solving their problems, issues and helping them achieve their desires. Instead of using I, Me or We in your blog title, use You. Now that is not to say that there are not times when you should use I, Me, or We; however just be sure to include the reader at times too.
Using the blog title example from tip one, compare the two options:
“Conquer Your Procrastinating Habits With This Simple Step”
“Conquer Procrastinating Habits with Our System”
People want to know what’s in it for them and when they can assess that information in the blog title, they’re going to be compelled to continue reading your copy and making a purchase.
Three Ways to Incorporate The Tips
So now you have some ideas about what types of blog titles sell, how do you begin to write those powerful titles?
- Step One – Get to know your audience intimately. What are their hopes, dreams, desires, and problems? Understanding your audience will help you create an emotional and powerful blog title directed specifically at your audience.
- Step Two – Determine how your products or services are going to make your prospects’ lives better or solve their problems. For example if you sell fitness equipment and your audience struggles with feeling attractive then you can create a headline that highlights a specific benefit your fitness equipment offers to solve that problem.
- Step Three – Write ten to twenty, yes twenty, possible blog titles. Not only will this give you practice writing compelling headlines, it’ll help you hone in on that perfect blog title. And if you think you have a few winners you can always test them for conversion rates to find out which blog title is more effective.
Marketing and copywriting experts consider your blog title to be the most import element of any effective marketing piece. Take the time to craft a compelling, and selling blog title and you’ll reap the benefits for years to come.
