How Powerful is Your Headline?

By Anuja Aggarwal

A catchy headline laser-beams its way directly into your brain. That is the importance of writing impressive headlines. How many times have you found articles that have eye-catching headlines? Almost everyday! But how often have you felt disappointed, after reading the story fully? Quite often, surely! Therefore, the main point is that apart from being catchy, the headline should be realistic. It should reflect what the content is about.

Write headlines that support your main content - the objective is to make the reader read the content, not only the headline. Some tricks to create great headlines:

Here is how you can make some fast bucks for the magazine/e-zine publishers. Firstly, jot down your idea into phrases and make it a fact-based one. Remember it should not only sound interesting but real too. Rework the copy as many times as possible to achieve what you want.

Make a note of all interesting headlines you come across

What would you do when your eyes spy an irresistible headline? Your hand automatically reaches out to grasp the magazine, or makes you click to read further. Understand the basic facts about humans, and you're on your way to crafting powerful headlines for your own business or for your clients. A good writer's powerful headlines really sell, because they know how to play brain games. Hard-hitting headlines entwine a web of mystery and trickery. The idea is to make people want to read the article and this sells the number of magazines on the bookshelf. If you're a writer who's trying to buff up your headline-writing skills, just remember all the headlines you ever read on the billboard, and then mock-up your modus operandi on them.

Use the tried and tested formats

Use numbers. "Top 10 Things You Need to Know to Keep Fit" will get attention, because anyone considering the action will want enough information. Use "hot" words. Some words are powerful, and can be used effectively in headlines and titles. Be controversial. Get readers' interest by asking a question in your headline, and then please them by answering it within the text.

Keep them short

Long headlines do work, but short ones are better. Don't make readers work that hard. Stimulate their curiosity.

Be innovative

Remember that you are competing with a lot of others to get the attention of potential readers and customers, and you hardly have any time to grab their attention. By using some catchy words your headline can stand out from the crowd.

Writing powerful headlines is not easy but it can be done if you follow these simple guidelines. Your headline should give the reader a reason to stop and read, so carefully choose the words of the headline. Never use uninteresting, conservative or worn-out statements, and by no means disappoint the audience by misleading them. So keep your eyes open to churn out the best headlines!

Do Right Marketing offers freelance content writing services. These include writing for the web, intranet, marketing and sales collateral such as case studies, newsletters, whitepapers, articles, blog posts, website navigation, editing, and proofreading, etc. Visit: http://www.dorightmarketing.com to know more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anuja_Aggarwal