4 Tips on How to Write Powerful Headlines and Boost Engagement

May 22, 2019 | By Ilfusion Team

It has been mentioned time and time again that content is king when it comes to digital marketing. What most marketers fail to realize, though, is that headlines are just as important as the content itself—if not, even more. A study has shown that, on average, 80% of people tend to read a headline first before clicking on a post, and out of that statistic, only 20% actually read the content.

So what makes a good marketing headline? The rules of headline writing have not changed that much over time, but digitization has added some rules to appeal to online readers. Here are some tips on how to write a powerful headline that will help your content garner the traffic and engagement it deserves:

1. Use long-tail keywords with high search volume

Targeting keyword phrases with three to four words instead of just one makes for a very specific search query. The more specific your targeted keywords are, the better you can fulfill what your audience is exactly looking for.

Additionally, your targeted keywords should have significant search volume. This ensures that your headline is something that your audience is actively looking for in search engines, and that it’s optimized to drive targeted organic traffic.

Google Ads Keyword Planner is a great tool to use. Other free alternatives include WordStream’s Free Keyword Tool and Keyword Tool.

2. Include numbers and lists

It’s no accident that we’re taking our own advice here. Just as humans are attracted to certain colors, we are also naturally drawn to numbers and lists, because these are easy for our brains to process. In the context of digitization, listicles (i.e., articles in the form of a list) give readers a clearer idea on the length of the content, and whether it’s a quick and scan-friendly read.

While it has been found that people prefer odd-numbered lists, it’s not a bad idea to play around with even numbers. Headlines such as “12 Essential SEO Hacks for Your Business” can work just as well. The essential thing is that whatever number you choose for your list, it has to have relevant and valuable content. If you happen to arrive at an odd number, that’s good, but don’t manufacture less valuable content to get there.

3. Use powerful, bold statements

The best headlines are those that stand out from the rest, and they are usually a combination of powerful, bold, creative, and sometimes quirky statements. Don’t be afraid to break conventions; often, an air of controversy and mystery can draw the attention of readers and prompt them to click on your post.

Strong adjectives and verbs also come into play when making great headlines. Words like powerful (see what we did here?), kill, surprising, huge, easy, smart, and ultimate have a strong effect on readers and could very likely elicit a response, thus spurring engagement. It all comes right down to choosing the right words that will enchant your target audience.

4. Think about your audience

With all that’s been said, the foundations of a powerful and effective headline lie on how well you know your audience. It’s important to know first and foremost who your audiences are. Their age, gender, educational and economic background, unique needs, and nuisances determine your content and how your headlines should read.

Need help with your digital marketing strategy?

Headlines have the power to drive more traffic and engagement to your content. If you want to know more, or if you’re interested to work with an experienced agency like Ilfusion to help you with any of your digital marketing needs, give us a call at 888-420-5115, or send us an email to [email protected].