When thinking about the content that engages you and makes you want to click on it, what usually grabs your attention first? Is it the pictures posted with the content? The subject of the content? Your respect for the company that’s posting the content?
If you’re like me, the thing that always stands out first when scrolling through Twitter, Facebook or other social media feeds is the headline of the post.
The headline is the first step to grabbing your customers’ attention and reeling them into your website through a click.
If you want to know how to write a good headline, whether it be for social media posts, or a blog post, you first have to understand the different types of headlines.
5 Types of Headlines
CoSchedule lists five types of headlines that every content creator and social media manager should know and use.
They are:
- Question
- Benefit
- How To
- List Post
- Generic
A Question post does just what it says: it asks a question to the consumer that compels them to click on your link. It could be something like “Want an exclusive deal just for you?” or “Do customers care about (blank) anymore.”
Benefit headlines give your customers a reason to click by providing them something they are looking for right there in the headline. “Great deals on seasonal dresses” or “Increase your profit with this simple tool” are great Benefit headlines.
How To headlines teach your customers something that is beneficial to them. It gives them a reason to follow your account, and keep up with what you’re posting every day, or every week.
List Posts are fantastic for drawing in customers to your website. Buzzfeed, one of the most popular websites on the internet, uses List Post headlines generously for almost every headline they write for their website. Everyone loves lists posts because it makes the information provided easier to consume and understand.
Lastly, Generic posts are exactly what they sound like: basic, no-nonsense posts. CoSchedule cites this as a type of post that you want to avoid doing. Generic posts are boring and oftentimes fail to spark any excitement in your customers. Which means they’re less likely to click on your posts and travel to your website.
Now that you know the difference between the five types of social media headlines, it’s time to start figuring out how to craft the perfect headline (or as close to perfect as you can possibly get).
Powerful Words
The key to a good headline is using powerful words that form emotional connections with your customers.
For example, if I were to write the headline “Get ready for spring,” a headline about encouraging wholesale floral supply companies to get ready for the spring floral season, I’m not going to compel many people to click on my post. But, if I were to add powerful words to the headline, and rearrange it to be a List Post, I can come up with this more engaging headline: “5 Ways You Should Be Preparing For The Busy and Beautiful Spring Season.”
Avoid Clickbait
You should also try to never delve into the world of “clickbait” or “gotcha” headlines. These are headlines that are outlandish and over the top, and promise the reader something in the headline that isn’t always true. These headlines are mainly used by dishonest companies who are simply trying to get people to click on their post and visit their website. Clickbait headlines always end up discouraging the reader and severing their trust with your company.
Headlines are the gateway to getting your customers interested in what you’re talking about. Learn the art of crafting fantastic headlines, and you’ll have no problem bringing in curious customers to your website.
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