The headline is the first thing a potential reader sees, and it’s often the first step in turning them into an active viewer or customer. It needs to set their expectations, be clear enough to understand (without too many puns or cultural references), and entice them to click through for the full article.
A compelling headline is also effective in promoting SEO. Using a keyword or a search-friendly phrase at the front of a headline helps it appear in the right places, including title tags and subject lines on social media.
Creating a sense of urgency in the headline is another great way to generate interest. Whether it’s encouraging readers to click for more information or making a purchase, creating a sense of urgency encourages action.
While list posts aren’t always effective in generating attention, they do work well in setting up scan-ability and providing variety for readers. Using numbers in headlines can also be a powerful selling tool, as they indicate that the content is backed by data and statistics.
The headline for this article on HubSpot is effective because it’s both clear and intriguing. It sets the tone for the rest of the piece, telling the reader to expect a discussion of punctuation usage and giving them the opportunity to click to learn more.
