Good Headlines Go Far for Readers - 9 Tips To Getting Noticed

Another great way to get your MyFDL post promoted to the front page for some real exposure, is to have a killer headline.

The goal is to have a headline that is strong and correlates with the text within the post. While there is not one way to go about writing headlines, no algorithm for success, there are some tips that our expert posters at FDL wanted to share.

A headline can have a huge impact on your post. Not only will more people on FDL read it, but others seeking the news on the Internet. Just think about supermarket tabloids and advertisements for food. Without a good headline or slogan, you’re eyes are not attracted to it, inevitably making it less successful. Lisa Derrick, from late night at FDL wrote to me and said; “Headlines Grab Readers’ Heads, Hearts.”

Here are a list of suggestions from our writers at the Lake:

1. A long headline can be effective, but as a general rule of thumb, you should always be as concise as possible

2. Use key nouns in your story (people's names, organizations, terms) to improve Search Engine Optimization (SEO). This will increase your chances of Google or other search engines recognizing your post.

3. Make it active. For example this post could have read "A Good Headline Goes A Long Way." The current headline give the title action.

4. You may want to think of you headlines as a 1-sentence abstract of the post.

5. Cut out adjectives and adverbs. Use strong, active verbs. Don't use the passive voice. Avoid TO BE verbs.

6. A headline in bold or in all CAPS is not the best way to get noticed. Focus on substance, rather than appearance.

7. Questions as headlines can be effective for readers, but questions lower your search engine visibility.

8. Be creative; comedic relief, quotes, popular culture phrases.

9. Don't be afraid to keep it simple.

It is important to grasp a readers attention, but the headline also has to match up with the content. Take this image to the right for example, which is a headline ad for a bacon company. Now, this headline is strong, comical, and attractive, but if it was not actually for a bacon company, and actually for a car company, it would have no worth.

Brainstorm when coming up with your headline, take your time, and do not settle. The title could be the only reason someone else reads your post.