Your blog post titles can make or break your blogging success! You want them to grab the attention of your target reader, let them know what you’ll be talking about in your post, but also amp up the suspense so they can’t help but click. If you’re wondering how to come up with a catchy title for your blog posts, we’re breaking it down in 9 simple steps.
When I first started blogging, I didn’t realize the importance of a catchy blog post title. I would name my posts things like “Floral Romper” or “My Favorite Nail Polish” without much thought. But look at the difference between “Floral Romper” and “How Lazy Girls Can Style a Floral Romper in 5 Ways”. The latter is much more descriptive and it targets a certain group of readers (lazy girls).
You could have the most amazing content in the world, but if people aren’t attracted to the title and if it doesn’t rank in search engines (key words are essential!) then it’s almost useless! A catchy title can mean the difference between a wildly popular post and failed post. Which would you prefer?
1. Brainstorm
Brainstorming sessions are one of the best ways to come up with a catchy title. You shouldn’t always go with the first title that comes to mind. The best titles will come with a little more thought. Many times, bloggers sit down at their laptop, plug in a title without much thought and it doesn’t do too well. Think about how much stronger your post could be if you took some time to sit with your title, rework it and make it pop!
2. Talk to your target reader
Your title should make it clear who your blog post is targeting. You don’t want to speak to everyone in your post, so make sure your title stands out and catches the eye of your target reader. This will ensure your post is catchy to the right people, don’t worry about trying to make it catchy for everyone.
If you blog for new moms, you can write titles like “10 Healthy Meals for New Moms to Drop Baby Fat” or if you write for entrepreneurs, you can write titles like “8 Savvy Time Management Tips for Hustling Entrepreneurs.”
3. Use alliteration
I find that alliteration always makes for a catchy blog post title. It has a strong impact on readers, in a subtle way. A title like “Inspiring Instagram Accounts to Stalk for Your Next Vacation to Italy” is much more captivating than something like “Instagram Accounts to Follow if You’re Going to Italy”. Alliteration has a way of luring people in without them even realizing why, so if you can figure out a creative way to implement it into your title, go for it!
4. Numbers are key
Using numbers is an awesome way to catch a reader’s attention. You’re promising them something specific and it’s also an easy way to organize your post. This way, your readers will know they can scan through your post to see exactly what they’re interested in reading about. Plus, people love to share numbered posts on social media, which will give you a higher ranking and more exposure!
5. Keep SEO in mind
Search engine optimization is so important for each one of your blog posts, and you should always keep it in mind when you’re creating your title. Use highly searched keywords in order to rank higher in search engines. Keywords often do a great job explaining your post too, so it’s a win-win.
Let’s say you’re writing a post about braided up-dos, make sure this keyword is in your title. Don’t shorten it down to “braids”, make it clear exactly what you’re talking about in your post. See the difference between “10 Braided Up-Dos Any Bridesmaid Can Master” and “10 Braids for Bridesmaids”? The first one is much more telling and the keywords are stronger.
6. Use strong words
Your blog post title should be rich with strong wording. A title like “7 Brilliant Ways to Increase Your Twitter Followers” will catch more attention than a title such as “7 Ways to Increase Your Twitter Followers”. Or a title like “5 Packing Tips for the Solo Traveller” is less likely to catch attention than “5 of the Best Packing Tips for the Solo Traveller”. When you use strong words, you’re opening up the door to a strong blog post. If you’re title doesn’t use strong words, you’re likely not going to acquire as much interest.
7. Time sensitivity
If people are looking for tips and tricks, they LOVE to know exactly when they will see results. If you have great tips for how to save $1,000 one month, let your reader know that in your title. Use a title like “11 Fool Proof Tips to Saving $1,000 in Just One Month”. It gives them a realistic time frame as to when they can start seeing results.
8. Create curiosity
Curiosity is a strong way to get people to click over to your blog post. When you pique a reader’s curiosity, you’re inviting them to see what else you have in store for them. Without curiosity, there’s no motivation for people to want to read more.
9. Don’t get too wordy
Your title doesn’t need to explain everything in detail. Don’t use too much fluff, stick to the point and keep it brief while making sure the message is clear. Keep it to 10-15 words the most, so it’s not too much for readers to take in. If your title is too long, people are more likely to lose interest and move on to someone else’s post.
Coming up with catchy blog post titles isn’t always easy. There’s an art to a great title, and using these tips is sure to raise your blogging game!
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