Do you know how to write headlines that convert? Your content is only as successful as the first thing people read. Knowing how to create click-worthy headlines is valuable and should be a part of your business' social media strategy. A great headline will grab the right attention and entice people to read more.
The below infographic from Quick Sprout has everything you need to know about how to write headlines that convert. With these tips, you'll be able to attract more traffic to the content you want your audience to see.
It has been found that 8 out of 10 people will read headline copy, but only 2 out of 10 will read the rest. A writer should spend half of the entire time it takes to write a piece of persuasive content on the headline. The reason headlines fail is because they don't match the article written or they're not specific enough.
The perfect length for a headline is 6 words and under 65 characters so it is properly displayed in search results. People tend to scan headlines, which is why they need to be clear, concise and to the point. If you're stuck and need some ideas, give this headline generator tool a try.
Headlines that speak directly to the reader or ask them a question are far more effective. It comes across as a conversation when worded this way. Here are a few examples of good headlines that are personalized to their audience:
People want to increase efficiency and find a lot of ideas in one place. By using numbers in your headlines, you are presenting to them exactly what you have to offer. The headlines "20 Restaurants to Try in San Francisco" and "10 Easy Steps for Filing Your Tax Return" are very specific and resourceful, making them much more likely to be clicked.
Negative words like "stop", "without" and "no" tap into our insecurities and lead to many more shares. Headlines with these words will make readers wonder what they might miss out on if they don't click and read the article.
Try using this formula the next time you need to create a solid headline, whether it's for a Facebook Ad, a social update, or an email marketing campaign:
Before the formula, you may have a basic headline that reads "How to Sell Your House". Yawn. Headlines should be thought-provoking and interesting! After using the formula, your bland headline will say something like "How Your Can Effortlessly Sell Your Home in Less Than 24 Hours". Now that is a headline! It speaks to the reader, has a clear purpose and the thought of selling your home in less than a day would be too tempting not to click and read more.