How To Create A Killer Headline With Spectacular Bang

“Without a (killer) headline or post title that turns a browser into a reader, the rest of your words may as well not even exist” – Copyblogger

Our nation’s annual birthday bash is here! The Fourth of July is one of my very most favorite holidays of the year. Pyrotechnic maniacs in the neighborhood have come out weeks before the Fourth scaring doggies and encouraging the ire of disapproving neighbors. I don’t mind. I just try to sweetly console my shivering 10-pounder and enjoy the beauty of each blast. The celebrating will soon come to an end.

But what do the Fourth of July and the bang of fireworks and all that have to do with blogging? The bang. The headline is the most important part of your blog post. Like the spectacular bang of fireworks, your blog headline must catch the attention of a browser and turn them into a reader. You must create a killer headline.

10 Techniques to Create a Killer Headline

Try using these ten techniques that will capture readers’ attention and pull them into your content:

Ask Questions

Rouse your reader’s curiosity. It gets them thinking. When your readers are thinking, your readers are actively engaging with your content.

Share Anecdotes or Quotes

An anecdote is a quick story that makes readers laugh or establishes the main point of a post right off the bat. Anecdotes and quotes work well to grab and hold the attention of your readers.

“On the average, five times as many people read the headline as read the body copy. When you have written your headline, you have spent eighty cents out of your dollar.” – David Ogilvy

Create Mental Pictures

Create a mental picture in the reader’s mind by using words like “imagine,” “picture this,” “do you remember when” etc.

Tell Stories

Telling a story in a single sentence is powerful. Analogies, metaphors, and similes powerfully capture a reader’s attention and provoke mental pictures that allow readers to tell a story to themselves.

Shock Readers

Shock readers with an interesting factoid or statistic. People find unique, startling and shocking data valuable and interesting. Pick a statistic that relates directly to the point of your blog post.

Use Numbers

Numbers work. That’s why so many copywriters use numbers in their headlines.

Use Interesting Adjectives

This list of adjectives will give you an idea:

Effortless
Painstaking
Fun
Free
Incredible
Essential
Absolute
Strange

Use Trigger Words

What, why, how, or when are trigger words.

Use Unique Rationale

Unique rationale works well with list blog posts. Use words like:

Reasons
Principles
Facts
Lessons
Ideas
Ways
Secrets
Tricks

But don’t use the word “things.” It’s way too general and not very catchy.

Make Promises

Promise your reader you will teach them a skill or solve their problem with a tool or service. Promise to give them something that is valuable to them. Always deliver what you promise.

1 Killer Headline Formula

Try this headline formula to draw readers into your content.

Number or Trigger Word + Adjective + Keyword + Promise = Killer Headline

For example, take this basic title, “selling your house in a day,” and apply the above formula to make it a killer headline: “How You Can Effortlessly Sell Your Home in Less than 24 Hours.” Whoa! Right?

Note: Make sure your content is exciting and worth their while. Don’t invite them into your content with a killer headline only to “slam the door in their face” with disappointing content. Quality content matters!

Still need help creating a killer headline? Here’s a tool I use often and appreciate much: http://coschedule.com/headline-analyzer. And it’s FREE to use, too!

I’m including 10 “template” headlines you can use to make a killer headline. Apply the above formula and techniques to one of the following templates, and your headlines will catch the attention of a browser and turn them into a reader with spectacular BANG!

Who Else Wants [blank]?
The Secret of [blank]
Here is a Method That is Helping [blank] to [blank]
Little Known Ways to [blank]
Get Rid of [problem] Once and For All
Here’s a Quick Way to [solve a problem]
Now You Can Have [something desirable] [great circumstance]
[Do something] like [world-class example]
Have a [or] Build a [blank] You Can Be Proud Of
What Everybody Ought to Know About [blank]

When creating a killer headline, always ask yourself this question, “Would this make me want to read on?” Don’t publish your blog post until you’ve got a catchy headline that answers that question with a, “Yes.” Do this every time, and you’ll get more readers, more traffic and more bang!

If you need help creating a killer headline and generating more traffic to your website, contact Rockin’ Robin Virtual Assistance. Robin is a content marketing specialist with a passion for your business success through blogging and social media. Put enthusiasm for success to work for you. Contact Rockin’ Robin at (307) 631-1867 or robin@rockinrobinva.com for a FREE 15-minute consultation.

Rockin’ Robin Virtual Assistance LLC

robin@rockinrobinva.com | (307) 631-1867

“For increased sales, measurable results, and the lifestyle you crave”

About the author

Robin Carter

Robin excels in customer care as an affiliate manager. She provides exceptional affiliate support, establishes and maintain positive relationships with affiliates, and drives affiliate success by addressing their needs, resolving issues, and facilitating effective communication between affiliates and her clients' affiliate programs.