Looking for a better way to come up with headlines people will actually click on or vote for?
(and maybe even read - god forbid???)
A great way to find powerful headlines is to skim through a newspaper or online news site, paying attention to which stories grab your attention and which don't.
What's common about the interesting headlines??
They are Heart Stopping.
Here are 3 Tips for Writing a HEART-STOPPING Headline:
Embrace controversy.
Your headline cannot say "Herbalife is a Pyramid Scheme" … that would be an opinion, right? (It also wouldn't be news, because it's not about something recent.) But it CAN say "Herbalife Accused of Being A Pyramid Scheme" ... which is still controversial, sounds more credible than the original and will get a ton clicks when it ranks in Steemit and Google.
Use powerful verbs.
Most people try to use adjectives to make things sound interesting. But verbs are actually what makes a sentence exciting. "Stocks Shudder After Fed Meeting" is more startling than "Stocks Sold After Fed Meeting" ... Get it? Don't be afraid to break out the thesaurus.
Include numbers when possible.
For whatever reason, numbers grab attention. People love to hear specific details, like "Cable Companies Fined $2 Million" … so work them into your headlines. Also, they draw the eye if they're written in numeral form. 2 instead of two, etc.
Specific numbers are also better than round numbers. So "Fined $2,039,393" would be even better than $2 Million if you have space.
I know improving your titles isn't the MOST exciting sounding thing in the world. But there's nothing that makes a bigger difference, and it costs $0.
In SEO, your click through rate (CTR) is everything! And at Steemit - your UPVOTE rate (if they read they likely vote each time, and even comment which can make you more money and get more eyeballs). These two can work in tandem to help you CRUSH IT with your posts now, and over the long term.
By the way, this headline advice doesn't just apply to Steemit posts. Take a look at every single page you ever write to make sure they're all interesting.
A quick title audit for the pages you have ranking can easily increase your traffic by 10% or more (seriously!)
That adds up to a whole lot o' free business.
Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn, I accept everyones request and am a super connector - so I can help increase YOUR network exponentially!
To Your Success!
Michael
Follow Me On Steemit - The Social Media Platform That Pays
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DISCLAIMER:
I have been there. My first marriage was a wreck, I ended up losing everything I owned, slept on couches in the year 2000, and went through hell for years afterward. I have lost it all. And gained it all. And lost it again. And back and forth. Do not worry about such things, they do not make a person.
I have been there. I know the hunger. I know the pain. I know the reward. It is all the same.
Check my post about Public Relations For Startups & Steemit - and learn how to become a Public Relations Badass...it would help you out tremendously!
Are You Embarrassed By Your Ranking Steemit Posts Skills? Here’s What To Do!
Go rock this!
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Great article Michael! Love the disclaimer as well! #Truth #FailForward #ThankYou
Good information thanks.
Thanks Michael. That's really helpful.
You are quite welcome!
Awesome... and I love the 'footers' you put on your posts. You should write a post entitled "Why Your Posting On Steemit With Your Footer In Your Mouth [HOT TIP]"
DONE!
5 Ridiculously Simple Ways To Improve Your Footer In Your Steemit Post
Tank you for sharing your knowledge.
Super happy to help you out with posting tips. Let me know if you have any requests!