If your reading this post, I have succeeded in doing what the title has intended to do:
Interest you into reading the rest of the article.
One of the big problems that bloggers make when creating an article is branding it with a generic and tired headline. Of course, you’ll make your point about whatever you are talking about with a large title.. but who is going to read the entire article if the title is pointless?
For example, I have about 25+ blogs in my R.S.S reader. I only click on the headlines that look like they interest/benefit me. I don’t really care about “Sunday Link Love” or “I am back” post updates…
I’m interested in:
- “Has Google Stopped Indexing Blogs?” (That relates to me.. I own this blog!)
- “If browsers were Umbrellas” (Cool, an tech-related anecdote! – actually, the entire post is one
) - Finally, “Post Install List – 20 Things You Ought to Do” (Cool, did I miss anything thats on the list?)
See what I’m trying to say? Titles are going to yield more clicks on search engines and RSS Readers if they are interesting and can relate to the person that is reading them. Try and exaggerate what you are actually talking about. (No, this post title was just plain, good ol’ fashioned link-bait, but hey, your reading this right??).
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32 Comments
I am paying more attention to my titles since Killer Titles group writing project. Seems to work.
Rarst’s last blog post..If browsers were umbrellas
Rarst – What is the Killer Titles group?? Never heard of them. A great article though
http://www.problogger.net/killer-titles-group-writing-project-submissions/
Rarst’s last blog post..If browsers were umbrellas
Thanks for the shout, Brad and yes, the title is pretty appealing and how did I end up in this article?Yan
Yan Shall Blog’s last blog post..Post Install To-Do List – 10 Plugins You Ought To Install
adie’s last blog post..A Turtle Get 4092 Diggs While Try To Survive
So what you’re saying is develop tasty titles that don’t relate to the article! Gotcha!Kidding…You make a great point though and I think more bloggers need to recognize that the title is really the first part of the blog post, it’s the first thing readers will see and if it’s not enticing the rest of the post likely won’t get read. A good way to train your title skills is via social media sites like reddit and digg, where only the most sensational of titles make it to the front page.
Adam Pieniazek’s last blog post..OTIBR.com: A Preview of Only The Internet’s Best Reviews
You got me on this one(hehe). I thought it was for real.
How to Make Money Online Blogging’s last blog post..My New 3 Column Blogspot Layout
Great post!The title was definitely misleading, however.
But I certainly get what you mean by it, and it certainly is true. I would have named the title, “Your post sucks! And your headlines need a face lift” — LOL! I haven’t attempted one of these wacky type of titles, but I’m yearning for it. Might just do it sometime soon!
Luis Gross’s last blog post..StumbleUpon Do’s and Dont’s
The title worked on me. Perhaps I will try one of those today on one of my real estate blogs “Win a Free House!”
Gosh darn it, I was tricked! Excellent example, lol – that sure pounded the point home.
Peter Answers’s last blog post..Tarot Cards – The Eight of Cups
the title is provocating, I will imitate your tricks to attract attention …
brandon’s last blog post..test
Well done, you did it, I thought that this was a special trick to get a free back link from Yahoo.
Armand’s last blog post..Looking For a Logo Designer
The title worked on me, too. However, if you use deceptive, blatantly misleading headings, you’re teaching your readers that they can’t trust you. For long-term success, that’s a dumb thing to do.
Allan Gardyne’s last blog post..12 things I’ve learned in 12 years online
Got me too. This is a very true concept, it’s the basis for all great copy writing.
nsauser’s last blog post..Rumors have Biden replaced by Hillary Clinton
@ Allan – If your talking about me in this post, I was just using the headline as an example of why they should be important. Long Term Success? It teaches your readers something new that they will remember from time in and time out. “Dumb” I don’t think is the right word. Besides, why would I lie to my readers?
you are right title matters it is major factor in boosting traffic ..
by the way .. I got several dofollow backlink from yahoo mybloglog.com
thank you
brandon’s last blog post..Ramalan Satrio piningit
Writing a great title is a must , but I believe it should carry the necessary keywords and it shouldn’t trick the user. This one is ok I guess because it is to emphasis the point. In the end it all about getting search engine traffic and a title relevant to the post is better than a cool title. Just my thoughts though
Nishadha’s last blog post..101 great blogging ideas
Hey! This is cheating.
Pallab’s last blog post..Six Premium Antivirus Software for Free – II
Hi Brad,
It was definitely because of the title that found me here. I too was disappointed in not getting free links, but you’ve proved your point.
-Peter Lee
Work From Home Business Blog’s last blog post..Readers’ Appreciation-October 2008
You don’t want to put titles that make the person feel that it was a waste of his time. Something like this one. Hehe.
Joe’s last blog post..10MP Digital Camera
@ Joe – Waste of time? Or awesome learning experience.
Got me too. I will imitate your tricks to attract attention
Tamon’s last blog post..Wind Turbine Generator
I guess I’m a sucker for a good headline, because that one reeled me in. I guess you proved the point of the article!
Watch TV Shows Online’s last blog post..Watch The Sarah Connor Chronicles Episode: Brothers of Nablus
I just commented on your post about the usefulness of polls and after looking for other goodies couldn’t resist the free Yahoo backlinks. Yup, you got me.
Equally important however is your second line: “If your reading this post, I have succeeded in doing what the title has intended to do:” – because whereas with the title you mislead, in the second line you admit the deceit and in doing so simultaneously mitigate any negative reaction to being misled. You catch the user good, and make them feel happy about it.
Not bad friend, and very almost enough to cover the grammar: “If your reading this post”
Cheers,
- Your local neighborhood SEO
SEOcialize – Search Engine Optimization’s last blog post..Client Education 1 – Guaranteed Rankings
OK, you got my attention and I feel sure disappointment has almost gone. Good idea, I must remember hang on to this idea.
Thanks
Well, well… Point taken that this particular post was more of a case study highlighting the point. But wait! How many times can a blogger use such deception to lure into readers and still hope to retain their trust? Personally, I would rather want to go for a related yet enticing title instead of going for a title that sounds like “Britney $pears is again pregnant; but this time with a Gorilla!” where the post actually talks about “How passive smoking can cause Cancer”! My 2 cents.
Debasis’s last blog post..Interviewing a Testing Expert – Alan Page from Microsoft!
Hey….I still have not received my free backlinks from Yahoo….What’s going on here.
Great titles do work…no doubt!
PotatoChef’s last blog post..Potato Ricer
Got me on this. But I think you make a bigger point: Blogging should not be focused on MONEY, but on content. That means actually learning how to write creatively, not just for the header, but the post, to engage your audience. Believe me, it works.
Denford’s last blog post..A Reader’s Extraordinary Thoughts and Analysis
Blogging should be focused on both….. I f people learn to write creatively and generate interest in the articles produced then the benefit will be considerably greater…..
Blogging is an excellent way to share and genrate ideas whilst also improving the position of your site through relevent backlinks.
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[...] Which is great and one of the best aspects of blogging in my opinion. I mean everyone knows that post titles must be good but how many bother to come up with examples and touch of personal experience while posting about [...]