Let’s be honest. Most people will decide whether to read your blog post based on the blog headline alone. You could write the most helpful, well-researched article on the internet, but if your blog headlines don’t grab your reader’s attention, it won’t get clicked.
That’s the power of a headline. It’s your one and only shot at a first impression. Miss it and the reader moves on to your competitor’s site.
The good news? Writing great headlines isn’t rocket science. It’s a skill you can practice and improve with a few simple techniques.
Here’s what I’ve learned about writing headlines that actually get clicked on.
1. Keep it clear and specific
Clarity beats cleverness almost every time. You don’t need to be witty or poetic. You just need to be clear about what the reader will get.
Compare these two headlines:
- “A Few Thoughts on Blogging”
- “How to Start a Blog and Get Your First 100 Visitors”
One is vague. The other tells me exactly what the post is about and what I’ll learn.
Which one would you click on?
Your readers, just like you, are busy people. Don’t make them guess. A good headline should quickly answer one question: “What’s in it for me?”
If your blog post offers a tutorial, a list, a solution to a problem, or a helpful insight, say so in the headline.
2. Use numbers when it makes sense
There’s a reason list-style headlines are popular. They’re easy to scan and set clear expectations. Think about headlines like:
- “5 Tools Every Blogger Should Know About”
- “10 Easy Ways to Get More Traffic to Your Blog”
The number tells the reader that they’re about to read a list and that’s comforting. Lists feel manageable. They promise structure. That can be enough to get someone to click.
Just be sure the number fits the content. Don’t stretch it. If you only have 3 great points to make, don’t turn it into a list of 12 by adding fluff.
I like to use odd numbers, but I try to keep the value under 10. If I really feel there is value in the extra content, then I will add an “extra tip” at the end.
3. Make a promise and keep it
Fluff words are the Styrofoam peanuts of the headline world, lightweight, space-wasting, and utterly useless. This is where a lot of bloggers go wrong. They promise the moon in the headline, but the actual post barely gets off the ground.
Clickbait headlines might get the first click, but they rarely get the second. If you want people to come back to your blog, you need to build trust. That starts with being honest in your headline.
Don’t write “The Ultimate Guide to SEO” unless it really is comprehensive. Don’t write “Everything You Need to Know About Writing” if it’s just a few quick tips.
Instead, match your headline to the actual value you’re giving. If your post helps beginners, say that. If your post covers one narrow topic, say that too.
Here’s a solid example:
“7 Simple SEO Tips for Beginners”
It sets the tone and doesn’t try to oversell.
4. Cut the filler words
Words like “very,” “really,” “just,” and “actually” don’t help much in headlines. They take up space and weaken the punch.
Try this:
Before: “5 Really Great Ideas for Blog Posts”
After: “5 Blog Post Ideas That Work Every Time”
The second version is cleaner, stronger, and more direct.
Each word in your headline should earn its place. If it’s not adding meaning, delete it.
5. Use proven headline formulas
There are headline formats that have stood the test of time. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel every time. Here are a few go-to formulas:
- “How to [Do Something] Without [Something Painful]”
Example: How to Write Blog Posts Without Burning Out - “[Number] Ways to [Get a Benefit]”
Example: 10 Ways to Attract More Readers to Your Blog - “What Every [Audience] Should Know About [Topic]”
Example: What Every New Blogger Should Know About Headlines
These templates work because they speak to the reader’s needs. They promise value. Just make sure to tailor them to your actual content.
Final Thoughts
If you want more readers, better engagement, and stronger blog performance, start with better headlines.
A good headline does a few key things:
- It’s clear
- It promises something specific
- It matches the tone and content of your post
- It uses strong, purposeful words
Writing headlines is a skill. Like any skill, it improves with practice. So don’t stress if it doesn’t feel natural at first. Try different versions. Test them out. Keep an eye on what performs well.
And remember, you don’t need to be flashy. You just need to be helpful and honest. Do that, and your headlines will do the job they’re meant to do, bring readers in.
I Hope You Enjoyed This Post.
Be sure to check out my other posts. I cover everything from content creation to SEO to Social Media. So be sure to give it a look!!
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Until next time, everyone,
Peace, Love, and Happiness
