Have you ever done a search on Google and a particular listing stands out that’s just too compelling to ignore? A post whose title was so intriguing that you had to click on it, even though you had a pile of work waiting to be done? If your answer is yes, then you’ve experienced the power of well-crafted title.
In this article, I took a few days of research and experimenting to put together a bleh to wow type of comparison including title formulas you can steal for yourself. Before we get started, let’s cover some basics so things make sense.
Sidenote: This article may look long, and that’s because half of it is examples that you can use for yourself! 🤗
The Importance of Enticing Blog Titles
The Role of SEO in Blog Titles
Titles play a pivotal role in search engine optimization (SEO). They serve as the initial cue for search engines to understand what your blog post is about. The right keywords in your title can boost your post’s visibility on search engine results pages (SERPs), leading to increased organic traffic.
Influence on Click-Through Rate (CTR)
An enticing blog title also significantly impacts your click-through rate. A catchy, compelling title can dramatically increase the likelihood of a user clicking on your blog post when it appears in their search results, social media feed, or email inbox.
Creating Enticing Blog Post Titles
Know Your Audience
Creating an enticing blog title starts with understanding your audience. Who are they? What do they want or need? What solutions are they looking for? Knowing the answers to these questions can guide you in crafting titles that your target audience will find too interesting to ignore.
Using Power Words
Power words are compelling words that trigger an emotional response. Words like “amazing, devoted, instant, risky, powerful, and exclusive” can make your blog titles more attractive and engaging. Used incorrect, power words can have the opposite effect by making your titles look like clickbait, which is not the type of person I’m helping. More about this in a bit.
The Benefit of Numbers and Data
Using numbers and data in your blog titles can also increase their appeal. For example, “5 Proven Strategies to Increase Your Revenue” is more enticing than “Strategies to Increase Your Revenue.” Numbers provide a sense of specificity and credibility, which readers appreciate.
Triggering Curiosity
Nothing hooks a reader more than arousing their curiosity. Questions, teasers, or surprising statements can make your audience want to click and read more.
Solving a Problem
Your audience is likely looking for solutions to their problems. If your title suggests that you have the solution they’ve been looking for, they’ll be more likely to click and read.
Create a Sense of Urgency
Instilling a sense of “authentic” urgency in your title can also compel your audience to click. Terms like “limited time,” “now,” or “don’t miss out” can create a fear of missing out (FOMO) effect, but use these only if they are true and don’t overuse them.
Examples of Enticing Blog Titles
- 10 Shocking Facts About Nutrition You Didn’t Know
- How to Boost Your Productivity Instantly: 7 Proven Techniques
- Limited Time Offer: Master Your SEO Strategy Now
- The Amazing Secret to Building a Profitable Online Business
Let’s take it up a notch by using 7 different solopreneurs who are coaches and consultants and look at some examples of generic blog post titles and ones that make you do a double-take.
Here are the guinea pigs:
- Fitness Coach who works with Youth at Risk
- Dog Trainer who specializes in working with senior dogs
- Fiction book author who teaches kids over 10 years old how to write their first graphic novel
- Chef who specializes in preparing ready made meals for a first time mom who just had a baby
- Landscaper who specializes in yard work for senior citizens
- Career coach who works with clients with vision impairments
- ADHD counselor who works with young adults preparing for college
For each one, I’m going to list a generic blog post title, one that’s been re-written with a hook/power words to make it more enticing, and then give you a template formula that you can customize for your own use.
- Generic blog post title: Fitness Tips for Youth at Risk
Blog post title re-written with a hook: Empowering At-Risk Youth: Unleashing Strength, Confidence, and Resilience through Fitness
Formula: Empowering [Target Audience]: [Desirable Outcome] through [Approach/Topic] - Generic blog post title: Training Tips for Senior Dogs
Blog post title written with a hook: Aging Gracefully: Tailored Training Techniques to Enhance the Well-Being of Senior Dogs
Formula: [Desirable Outcome]: Tailored Training Techniques to [Enhance/Support] [Target Audience] - Generic blog post title: How to Write a Graphic Novel for Kids
Blog post title written with a hook: Ignite the Imagination: Unveiling the Secrets of Crafting Captivating Graphic Novels for Kids Over 10
Formula: Ignite the [Emotion/Desire]: Unveiling the Secrets of [Crafting/Creating] [Captivating/Engaging] [Topic/Content] for [Target Audience] - Generic blog post title: Meal Prep Tips for New Moms
Blog post title written with a hook: Savoring Motherhood: Chef-Crafted Meal Prep Solutions for Busy First-Time Moms
Formula: Savoring [Experience/Desire]: Chef-Crafted [Solution/Approach] for [Target Audience] - Generic blog post title: Yard Work Ideas for Seniors
Blog post title written with a hook: Creating Serene Outdoor Spaces: Tailored Landscaping Solutions for Senior Homeowners
Formula: Creating [Emotion/Desire] [Location/Space]: Tailored [Solution/Approach] for [Target Audience] - Generic blog post title: Career Advice for Individuals with Vision Impairments
Blog post title written with a hook: Beyond Limitations: Empowering Career Success for Individuals with Vision Impairments
Formula: Beyond [Obstacle/Challenge]: Empowering [Desirable Outcome] for [Target Audience] - Generic blog post title: Managing ADHD in College
Blog post title written with a hook: Thriving with ADHD: Strategies for Academic Success in College
Formula: Thriving with [Condition/Challenge]: Strategies for [Desirable Outcome] in [Location/Context]
Now that you’ve seen the differences, can you imagine how you could customize these for yourself, by using your own tone of voice and customer language?
Sidenote: When working with a client, at this point they’ll usually say “this won’t work for me because…” and before you say that too, I’m going to show you what it could look like by using the formulas for a bunch of different audiences and niches. All I’m doing is replacing what’s in the [placeholder].
Formula: Empowering [Target Audience]: [Desirable Outcome] through [Approach/Topic]
- Empowering Entrepreneurs: Unleashing Success through Innovative Marketing Strategies
- Empowering Parents: Nurturing Strong Family Bonds through Effective Communication
- Empowering Students: Excelling in Academics through Mindfulness and Study Techniques
- Empowering Athletes: Maximizing Performance through Cutting-Edge Training Methods
- Empowering Freelancers: Thriving in the Gig Economy through Financial Planning and Time Management
Formula: [Desirable Outcome]: Tailored Training Techniques to [Enhance/Support] [Target Audience]
- Stronger Together: Tailored Workout Techniques to Enhance Team Building for Corporate Professionals
- Radiant Skin: Tailored Skincare Techniques to Support Natural Beauty for Women Over 40
- Agile Mind: Tailored Mental Exercises to Enhance Focus and Cognitive Abilities for Seniors
- Vocal Mastery: Tailored Singing Techniques to Support Artistic Expression for Aspiring Vocalists
- Unleash Your Creativity: Tailored Artistic Techniques to Enhance Imagination and Self-Expression for Children
Formula: Ignite the [Emotion/Desire]: Unveiling the Secrets of [Crafting/Creating] [Captivating/Engaging] [Topic/Content] for [Target Audience]
- Ignite the Wanderlust: Unveiling the Secrets of Captivating Travel Photography for Adventurous Souls
- Ignite Your Taste Buds: Unveiling the Secrets of Creating Flavorful Vegan Delights for Food Enthusiasts
- Ignite the Thrill: Unveiling the Secrets of Crafting Gripping Crime Novels for Aspiring Mystery Writers
- Ignite Your Style: Unveiling the Secrets of Creating a Timeless Wardrobe for Fashion-Conscious Individuals
- Ignite Your Inner Artist: Unveiling the Secrets of Capturing Emotion through Portrait Painting for Beginner Artists
Formula: Savoring [Experience/Desire]: Chef-Crafted [Solution/Approach] for [Target Audience]
- Savoring Tranquility: Chef-Crafted Meditation Techniques for Stress Relief in Busy Professionals
- Savoring the Outdoors: Chef-Crafted Picnic Recipes for Adventurous Nature Lovers
- Savoring Productivity: Chef-Crafted Time Management Hacks for Busy Entrepreneurs
- Savoring Harmony: Chef-Crafted Meal Plans for Balancing Hormones in Women Over 50
- Savoring Mindfulness: Chef-Crafted Plant-Based Recipes for Nourishing Body and Soul in Yoga Enthusiasts
Formula: Creating [Emotion/Desire] [Location/Space]: Tailored [Solution/Approach] for [Target Audience]
- Creating Serenity at Home: Tailored Feng Shui Techniques for Busy Parents
- Creating Playfulness in the Office: Tailored Team-Building Activities for Corporate Professionals
- Creating Romance in the Kitchen: Tailored Date Night Recipes for Couples
- Creating Zen in the Garden: Tailored Meditation Spaces for Nature Enthusiasts
- Creating Productivity in the Study Room: Tailored Organization Methods for Students
Formula: Beyond [Obstacle/Challenge]: Empowering [Desirable Outcome] for [Target Audience]
- Beyond Limitations: Empowering Creativity for Artists with Physical Disabilities
- Beyond Fear: Empowering Public Speaking Skills for Introverted Professionals
- Beyond Procrastination: Empowering Productivity Habits for Chronic Procrastinators
- Beyond Pain: Empowering Joint Mobility for Individuals with Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Beyond Burnout: Empowering Work-Life Balance for High-Achieving Executives
Formula: Thriving with [Condition/Challenge]: Strategies for [Desirable Outcome] in [Location/Context]
- Thriving with Anxiety: Strategies for Inner Peace in a Fast-Paced Urban Environment
- Thriving with Autism: Strategies for Social Engagement in School Settings
- Thriving with Diabetes: Strategies for Healthy Living in a Sugar-Obsessed Culture
- Thriving with Loss: Strategies for Finding Meaning and Healing in Grief Support Groups
- Thriving with Change: Strategies for Career Transition in the Digital Age
That’s a lot right? it’s to illustrate that almost any title formula can be used for any business. You just have to customize it to your audience, niche and services.
Optimize for SEO
The title examples I gave you, although a gazillion times better than generic junk, are too long for SEO titles in Google, which is recommended to be less than 60 characters. Whoa, that’s so short! and that’s where you get to be a little more creative by tweaking who it’s for, what it is and the outcome.
If you’re running WordPress site or any website platform, there are SEO features available to you where you can have a long blog post title (written for humans) and have a “meta-title”, which is an alternative title, just for Google. For WordPress, I recommend SEOPress or Yoast. You can ask your service provider what they offer for SEO features.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid clickbait styled titles that overpromise and underdeliver.
While they might get clicks, they disappoint readers and harm your credibility. Additionally, avoid using jargon or complicated language in your titles. Keep them simple and straightforward for the best results.
Here’s a list of some clickbait style titles that remind me of those tabloid magazines you see at the grocery stores that make huge promises just to get the sale.
“This One Weird Trick Will Make You a Millionaire Overnight!” — Sounds tempting, but it’s highly unlikely there’s a one-size-fits-all shortcut to wealth.
“You Won’t Believe What Happened Next!” — This type of title is too vague and overused. It doesn’t give any insight into what the content is about, potentially leading to an inappropriate website.
“The Shocking Truth the Government Doesn’t Want You to Know!” — Unless you’re a credible news source with verifiable information, this title might come off as a conspiracy theory.
“This Miracle Diet Pill Melts Fat Away While You Sleep!” — Not only is this misleading, but it could also potentially harm someone who’s desperate for weight loss solutions.
“She Started Doing This Every Morning, and Her Life Changed Forever!” — This title is often followed by an average piece of advice. It’s better to be honest about the potential impact of your content.
“You’ve Been Doing X Wrong Your Whole Life!” — This title assumes a lot about the reader and can come off as condescending.
“Celebrities Hate Him! Discover the Secret He Found!” — This clickbait title is often used in scammy ads and offers little or no value to the reader.
“This is What Will Happen When You Die!” — It’s hard to deliver on such a dramatic promise, and it may turn off more discerning readers.
“Doctors Hate This Mom’s Cheap and Easy Cure for Baldness!” — Titles like this can be seen as scammy and misleading.
“This Man Took a Picture Every Day for a Year. The Last One Is Unbelievable!” — While it may pique curiosity, it usually leads to an underwhelming result that leaves readers disappointed.
Do not use these or any clickbait titles.
Wrapping it Up
Writing enticing blog post titles is both an art and a science. It sounds simple, but simple doesn’t always mean it’s easy. Heck it took me a couple of days to prepare the templates and examples and this is just a small sub-set of what I came up with.
To do this yourself, you’ll need to:
- completely understand your audience
- have an understanding of SEO
- have some creativity when it comes to shortening the title for SEO
- have some good copywriting skills
If you feel you don’t have SEO or copywriting skills, use the formula templates, and use some creativity to shorten them down to be under 60 characters for SEO.
With the right approach, your blog titles can act as powerful hooks that attract more readers, getting them to subscribe to your newsletter and eventually converting into a customer.
Until next time, stay inspired!
Gisèle
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