Writing Headlines that People Engage With
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Conversational tone always works best if you want people to read your content. Have a conversation with your audience!
Two-word phrases in viral headlines
Example:
- "Here is a Short Video on How Terrible This Snow Storm Hurts People"
What, Which, When, Why and Sometimes Who
The four W’s are life savers in many creative exercises like writing. In the case of question headlines, the reason for their effectiveness in a post title is possibly because they evoke our curiosity.
When you are curious, and what to learn more, what do you do?
The four W’s are life savers in many creative exercises like writing. In the case of question headlines, the reason for their effectiveness in a post title is possibly because they evoke our curiosity.
When you are curious, and what to learn more, what do you do?
Examples:
- "What character from "Seinfeld" Are you?
- "9 Horrifying Reasons Why "Halloween" is the Worst!"
How To - How To Headlines!
Instructions and Education, just think of how many times you search on how to do something.
Yes, "How To" is that huge. WikiHow built a huge business off that alone.
Just think if you put a "How To" effort into your publish strategy.
Your readers are looking for answers to their needs and wants all the time.
Deliver it to them!
Yes, "How To" is that huge. WikiHow built a huge business off that alone.
Just think if you put a "How To" effort into your publish strategy.
Your readers are looking for answers to their needs and wants all the time.
Deliver it to them!
Example:
"How to Make a Simple Easy Meal { Everyone Will Love }"
"How to Make a Simple Easy Meal { Everyone Will Love }"
2. Human Behavior Plays a Role On What People Click
Daniel Kahneman's book “Thinking, Fast and Slow” mentions BuzzFeed's two modes of thought on why people click headlines.
- 1 is subconscious, emotional, instinctive and fast. Most of our time is spent thinking in this mode of thought.
- 2 is slower, deliberative, conscious, effortful and logical. It’s called into play only if there is complex information that requires processing and effort.
Sharing fast and slow: The psychological connection between how we think and how we spread news on social media
All this is very cool as we are in a very relaxed state...
This is why News Sites if done right need to have content on most all social media sites. ONLY IF THEY WRITE HEADLINES THAT PEOPLE CLICK and READ!
This is why News Sites if done right need to have content on most all social media sites. ONLY IF THEY WRITE HEADLINES THAT PEOPLE CLICK and READ!
When we are browsing social media we are in a subconscious state according to Sonya Song. (This is System 1.)
A good example of this is how I helped and still helping River Cities Speedway with their media. RCS is a old school cool dirt track in Grand Forks North Dakota that was rebuilt in the 1930's and was dedicated by President Franklin Roosevelt.
Like many dirt race tracks in the world that only run a handful of seasonal events it's hard to get national and global media attention. RCS had a few World of Outlaw Late Model and Sprint Car World Records and was in the Legendary State of North Dakota.
Working with RCS I came up with "The World Famous Legendary Bullring" and named twitter @BestDirtTrack prior to RCS ever being named the "Best Dirt Track"
Why?
A good example of this is how I helped and still helping River Cities Speedway with their media. RCS is a old school cool dirt track in Grand Forks North Dakota that was rebuilt in the 1930's and was dedicated by President Franklin Roosevelt.
Like many dirt race tracks in the world that only run a handful of seasonal events it's hard to get national and global media attention. RCS had a few World of Outlaw Late Model and Sprint Car World Records and was in the Legendary State of North Dakota.
Working with RCS I came up with "The World Famous Legendary Bullring" and named twitter @BestDirtTrack prior to RCS ever being named the "Best Dirt Track"
Why?
System 1, passive social media headline engagement!
Example:
"Photo Finish See Who Won at The World Famous Legendary Bullring"
The end result River Cities Speedway was voted the "Raciest 410 Sprint Car Track" and has won "Promoter of the Year" and in the racing world is known all over the world. All from using what you are learning about in this post.
A typical year using these methods RCS social media and website reaches millions of internet users and with only about 17 Friday nights of racing.
"Photo Finish See Who Won at The World Famous Legendary Bullring"
The end result River Cities Speedway was voted the "Raciest 410 Sprint Car Track" and has won "Promoter of the Year" and in the racing world is known all over the world. All from using what you are learning about in this post.
A typical year using these methods RCS social media and website reaches millions of internet users and with only about 17 Friday nights of racing.
How does BuzzFeed relate to this?
BuzzFeed has mastered the art of Slow and Fast Thinking.
BuzzFeed has mastered the art of Slow and Fast Thinking.
Most of BuzzFeed's stories use uppercase letter headlines, attractive pictures and are written in very simple language.
Like auto racing BuzzFeed is very heavy in visualization with imagery and invests heavily in investigative reporters that get behind the scene stories and or are the original source of a groundbreaking Pulitzer Prize Winning Story.
What does this tell you, get out there, do research like this article, use data and facts and write good content that is easy to read. Use images for easy understanding that is conversational.
Readers should feel they want to read more of what you have to say or learn more from you!
Like auto racing BuzzFeed is very heavy in visualization with imagery and invests heavily in investigative reporters that get behind the scene stories and or are the original source of a groundbreaking Pulitzer Prize Winning Story.
What does this tell you, get out there, do research like this article, use data and facts and write good content that is easy to read. Use images for easy understanding that is conversational.
Readers should feel they want to read more of what you have to say or learn more from you!
Rick Rea
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Written by:
Rick Rea |
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2 Comments
10/28/2019 11:23:57 am
Very strong stuff. I will be using much of this info immediately.
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