You’ve probably heard the saying “You never get a second chance to make a first impression”. Well, that applies to your subject lines and headlines too. They are the first thing your audience sees when they encounter your email, blog post, article, or social media post. And they can make or break your chances of getting them to open, read, and click on your content.
So how do you write subject lines and headlines that stand out from the crowd and entice your audience to take action? Here are some tips and tricks to help you craft catchy and effective titles that get more opens and clicks.
1. Know your audience and their pain points
The first step to writing a good subject line or headline is to know who you are writing for and what they care about. What are their problems, challenges, goals, desires, fears, or frustrations? What are they looking for in your content? How can you help them solve their pain points or achieve their aspirations?
By knowing your audience and their pain points, you can tailor your subject lines and headlines to address their needs and interests. You can also use words and phrases that resonate with them and show empathy. For example:
- How to save time and money on your next trip
- The ultimate guide to decluttering your home and mind
- 7 common mistakes that are ruining your skin (and how to fix them)
2. Use power words and emotional triggers
Power words are words that evoke strong emotions or reactions in your audience. They can be positive (such as amazing, awesome, incredible, etc.) or negative (such as shocking, terrifying, horrible, etc.). Emotional triggers are words or phrases that appeal to your audience’s emotions, such as curiosity, fear, urgency, greed, etc.
By using power words and emotional triggers in your subject lines and headlines, you can capture your audience’s attention and make them feel something. You can also create a sense of urgency or excitement that motivates them to open or click on your content. For example:
- How to create a stunning website in 10 minutes (no coding required)
- The shocking truth about sugar and how it affects your health
- How I made $10,000 in one month with this simple strategy
3. Use numbers and lists
Numbers and lists are another way to make your subject lines and headlines more catchy and effective. They help you organize your content into bite-sized chunks that are easy to read and digest. They also create a sense of specificity and clarity that appeals to your audience’s logical side.
By using numbers and lists in your subject lines and headlines, you can show your audience exactly what they will get from your content and how it will benefit them. You can also use odd numbers or specific numbers to make your titles more unique and intriguing. For example:
- 5 easy ways to boost your productivity today
- 13 surprising facts about chocolate that will make you love it even more
- How to grow your email list by 237% in 30 days
4. Use questions and challenges
Questions and challenges are another effective technique to write catchy subject lines and headlines. They engage your audience’s curiosity and make them want to find out the answer or solution. They also challenge your audience’s beliefs or assumptions and make them think differently.
By using questions and challenges in your subject lines and headlines, you can spark interest and conversation among your audience. You can also use rhetorical questions or negative questions to create contrast or controversy. For example:
- Do you make these common grammar mistakes?
- Why you should never trust online reviews
- How to lose weight without dieting or exercising
5. Use keywords and SEO best practices
Keywords are words or phrases that describe the topic or main idea of your content. They help you rank higher on search engines and attract more organic traffic. SEO best practices are guidelines or rules that help you optimize your content for search engines and users.
By using keywords and SEO best practices in your subject lines and headlines, you can increase the visibility and relevance of your content. This also helps decrease the chances of your emails landing in a Spam folder. You can also use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Moz Keyword Explorer to find the best keywords for your niche and audience. For example:
- How to write a resume that gets you hired (with examples)
- Best yoga poses for beginners (with pictures)
- How to start a blog in 2021 (step-by-step guide)
Conclusion
Writing catchy subject lines and headlines is not an easy task, but it is definitely worth it. By following these tips and tricks, you can create titles that get more opens and clicks.
