Your Headlines a Bore So Ill Ignore

I can guarantee you more people are clicking through to read this article simply because the title is somewhat catchy. Let's face it, it's not the typical headline you normally see. In fact, some webmasters won't do anything like this because they are afraid it's too bold or may offend the visitor.

Now of course I don't know if your headlines are REALLY a bore...I hardly know you. But I got your attention didn't I? Yep...that was the whole point. :)

I have been searching through many of the titles on various article submission sites and sometimes I wonder if the authors even put much thought into their headlines - which is the most important part of the article.

As far as I'm concerned, an article is only as good as its title. Think about it. If the headline doesn't grab the person's attention, the article never gets read.

Don't be afraid to step outside the box and get a little creative. What can you do with your titles to achieve a higher click thru? When appropriate, make the headline funny or even go for the shock value. You'll get visits from people simply because they feel entertained or perhaps curious.

Knowing your audience is also key when it comes to writing articles. Let's say you offer tips on golf. Your title could be "Golf Strategies That Would Impress Tiger Woods". That is much more appealing than "Golf Tips" (yawn). Since you know your audience consists of golf fans, add a familiar reference to get their attention.

Make use of the word "You" whenever you can. It puts your headlines in active voice and the reader feels like you are talking directly to them. "You" is a very powerful word and webmasters often underestimate how effective it can be.

Benefit-rich titles are also powerful. I always hate it when I see very basic headlines like "Writing Tips". This person could quadruple his click thru rate if he had included a benefit. How about, "Writing Tips That Will Improve Your Sales in 30 Days" Now the reader instantly sees the benefit of the article.

As I mentioned before, don't be afraid to include comedy when appropriate. Of course, if the article is on a serious topic like cancer then this wouldn't work. However, if your subject matter allows for a little humor, by all means experiment.

Headlines that ask a question can also be compelling. Then of course, it's your article's job to answer the question you asked. Don't lead people astray or leave them hanging without addressing the question that originally got them interested.

A powerful headline can more than double your click thrus. Imagine how much more traffic you'd get if you took more time developing them. Don't be afraid to put on your creative cap or push the envelope a little when you can. The rewards will be tremendous.