How to Write Magical Headlines that Invite Reader Attention

About 80% of the success of a news story or an article depends on the headline it has. Headlines can come with seductive power or as plain boring. The key skill of an article writer or news writer is to come up with a headline that captures the imagination of readers and to pull them to the story.

There are different styles used in headline writing. In modern times, the factual headlines attract more readers than headlines that come with qualifiers. This is true for news stories.
For example:

‘A doctor from Hyderabad injects HIV virus to 617 persons’

Or

‘Hyderabad Doctor Injects HIV Virus to His Patients’

Performs better than

‘Rowdy Doctor plays with life of his patients’

The first two headlines are more factual and specific about the activity of a Hyderabad doctor. Anyone who knows what HIV is likely to read the story. The story sells better to people who have related to Hyderabad in any way.

Article writers have to notch up a bit on factual headlines to attract article readership. News writers have the option to capture the attention by simply telling the facts. It is not the case with article writers. Article writers have to appeal to the emotion of the readers. There are few techniques that article writers use to pull the eyeballs of their readers to their articles.

Article Headline Writing Technique No 1 – Make Your Readers Feel that Something is Too Easy to Achieve

This type of titles appeals to readers because the readers quickly think they can achieve something without any pains. The following titles have been used by Article Writers and Copy Writers on a regular basis to woo customers.

E.g.

How to earn $ 127 a Day Starting Today

How to Lose Four Pounds a Week While Eating All the Chocolates and Ice Creams

Cure Obesity without Dieting or Exercise

Article Headline Writing Technique No 2 – Promise Your Readers to Teach Something New, Use ‘How to’ or ‘Seven Tips to’ Title

Write a title that starts with a phrase ‘How to’ or ‘Seven Tips to’. People always like to learn something new. The ‘How to’ and ‘Seven Tips to’ title ignites the imagination of your readers and will be attracted to your article. See ‘How to’ title at work, read the title of this article.

E.g.
“How to Win Friends and Influence People”

Seven Tips to Take Stunning Photographs with Your Digital Camera

Seven Tips to Enhance Your Digital Photographs with Photoshop

The number seven produces a special effect on human minds. ‘Seven Tips’ formula works better than ‘three tips’, ’11 tips’, ‘9 tips’ or ‘five tips’. I don’t know the exact reason, but it is the way things are.

Article Headline Writing Technique No 3 – Create Curiosity in Reader’s Mind with a Targeted Question

“Do You Make These Simple Mistakes in English Grammar?” was the title question that made Max Sackheim, a Russian immigrant to America richer than his wildest imaginations. That was the title of his advertising campaign to attract customers for his grammar lessons.

A question that creates curiosity or confusion in the minds of readers always attracts the attention of readers of all types.

The question must be specific (mistakes in English grammar), targeted (you) and should create curiosity (simple mistakes).

E.g.
Are You Aware You Are Losing $ 1327 a Year in Mortgage?

Do You Know Why You Can’t Keep Friends to Your Side?

Article Headline Writing Technique No 4 – Promise to Reveal Some Secret, Use ‘Secret Revealed’ Phrase in Your Article Title

People always want to know what is kept a secret. If you can tell your readers that there is some secret that you know, but your readers don’t, make it a point in your article title.

E.g.
The Secrets of Millionaire Brains Revealed

Key to Adsense Riches: Insider Secrets Revealed

These four article headline writing techniques will teach you how to write attention grabbing headlines for your articles.

Are you a newbie article writer? Do you want specific guidance on writing article headlines on any specific issues? Do leave a comment below or send me an email (email ID at ‘VIEW MY COMPLETE PROFILE’ on the sidebar.