Have you ever wondered why one blog post title will get more clicks, views, and visitors than another?

Because they use engaging, unique, and powerful words and phrases that compel people to click on them and read the entire blog post.

As a blogger, crafting an irresistible blog post title is an art form that can make or break your content’s success.

A compelling title entices readers to click and engage with your post and is crucial in search engine optimization (SEO).

Below are seven game-changing steps to help you create blog post titles that are too good to ignore.

But, First, Why Do Blog Post Titles Matter?

What’s the first thing your visitors will see when they land on your website or see a link to a post on social media?

The title, of course! If your blog post title is boring and not attention-grabbing, your visitor isn’t going to hang around.

Don’t write headlines that try to sell something to the reader.

Your goal should be to entice them to want to read the entire article.

According to HubSpot, headlines that are not compelling will cause up to 80% of the audience to leave without reading your article.

1. Know and Understand Your Audience

There are many different types of headlines you can use for blog posts.

Who is your target market? Knowing who you are writing to will help you choose the most effective titles for each post.

Test out different types and see which are most effective. In some situations, a promising title might be more appropriate. Meanwhile, in others, using hyperbole might be best.

You want to attract your readers with a compelling blog post title that will make them want to read your content.

And then take the desired action based on your call to action.

Understanding your target audience is the key to writing a captivating blog post title.

Invest time in researching their pain points, interests, and language preferences.

Analyze your website analytics to identify the topics and keywords that resonate most with your readers.

Engage with your social media followers, ask questions, and listen to their feedback.

By tailoring your titles to your audience’s needs and desires, you’ll increase the chances of grabbing their attention and compelling them to read your post.

2. Make It Specific and Relevant

Don’t take this to mean you can write flashy blog post titles to grab attention and then not write about the same topic in your post.

If you do, you will likely piss people off, and they won’t stay long enough to read your post and take some action.

Consider this: you are window shopping for an outfit for a special occasion.

Then, you see something that grabs your attention in a store window.

Of course, you are going to go into the store, right? How would you feel if you found out that the store doesn’t carry what it shows in its window?

You will probably not be too kind toward the shop owner. And it is highly doubtful that you will look around at their other merchandise, right?

Remember how important trust and authenticity are in business.

Congruency is important. Your blog title must be a bridge to your blog body.

Whatever title you use, the content must fulfill the title so that eventually, your visitor will read it and then take some action.

Vague or generalized blog post titles can fail to capture your readers’ interest or convey the true value of your content.

Instead, aim for specificity by addressing your title’s topic, problem, or solution.

This helps set clear expectations for your readers and increases the chances of your post appearing in relevant search results.

3. Use Powerful Words and Phrases

Certain words and phrases have an undeniable ability to evoke emotions and compel action.

By strategically incorporating power words like “ultimate,” “essential,” “amazing,” “proven,” and “mind-blowing” into your titles, you can create a sense of urgency and curiosity that entices readers to click.

However, to maintain credibility, use these words judiciously and ensure they accurately reflect the content of your post.

4. Keep Your Blog Post Titles Short and Concise

In today’s fast-paced digital world, attention spans are shorter than ever.

That’s why keeping your blog post titles concise and easy to scan is crucial.

Aim for 60 characters or less, as longer titles may get truncated in search engine results and social media feeds.

A short, punchy title is more likely to grab attention and convey the essence of your content effectively.

5. Include Keywords in Your Blog Post Title

Optimizing your blog post titles for search engines is essential for driving organic traffic to your site.

Incorporate relevant keywords that accurately reflect your content’s topic while ensuring they seamlessly blend into the title.

Avoid keyword stuffing, as it can harm readability and come across as spammy.

Instead, strategically place high-volume and low-competition keywords for your target audience.

6. Create a Sense of Urgency or Curiosity

Humans are naturally drawn to titles that evoke a sense of urgency or pique their curiosity.

By incorporating phrases like “limited-time offer,” “don’t miss out,” or “the secret to,” you can tap into this psychological trigger and compel readers to click on your post.

Alternatively, posing a question or making a thought-provoking statement in your title can generate intrigue and entice readers to discover the answer or solution within your content.

7. Test Different Variations of Blog Post Titles

Even with all the best practices in mind, there’s no one-size-fits-all formula for creating the perfect blog post title.

That’s why it’s essential to continue testing and refining your titles based on performance.

Leverage A/B testing tools to experiment with different variations of your titles and analyze the results.

This data-driven approach will help you identify the most effective titles and continuously optimize your content for maximum engagement and click-through rates.

Examples of Different Types of Blog Titles

There are many different types of blog titles, including some of the ones below.

Promise Titles

Remember that people are browsing the Internet for quick and specific answers to their questions. Make your headline answer what they want so that they will click on it.

This type of headline generally works because it answers a search query.

Negative Titles

Negative titles are most effective when facing a problem or wanting to avoid something.

They can also be compelling because most people have something they want to avoid.

Negative titles also assume the reader is doing something incorrectly or not doing something they should be doing. The headline provides an answer or a solution.

“5 Foods You Must Avoid to Avoid Gaining Weight” and “The 20 Worst Instagram Mistakes by Major Brands” are examples of negative headlines that are likely to attract readers.

Blog Post Titles with Superlatives

Using hyperbole in headlines grabs attention. For example, which title would you be more likely to click on if you were in the market for a new laptop?

“Why I love my new Dell Laptop,” or “The Dell Inspiron 15 is Phenomenal and the Best Laptop You Will Ever Use“.

The human brain is attracted to exciting adjectives. Other examples of superlatives to try in your headlines are:

• Magnificent
• Intriguing
• Incredible
• Disastrous
• Exciting

This type of headline will catch the attention of readers surfing the web and scrolling through hundreds of articles.

Personal Titles

It becomes personal when a reader feels like your headline is speaking directly to them.

Rather than being words on a page, it is like a conversation.

If someone wants to start a WordPress blog but is concerned that they won’t be able to, which of the headlines below will make them stop and read?

“How to start your own WordPress Blog in 10 Easy Steps (It’s Easier Than You Think)” or “How to Start a WordPress Blog.”

Final Thoughts About Blog Post Titles

Creating compelling blog post titles that captivate your readers is a skill that can be honed through practice and experimentation.

Don’t forget to:

• Understand your audience
• Use powerful language
• Keep titles concise
• Incorporate relevant keywords
• Be specific and relevant
• Evoke urgency or curiosity
• Continue testing different variations

This way, you can craft titles that attract clicks and set the stage for an exceptional reading experience.

Remember, your blog post title is the first impression that can make or break a reader’s decision to engage with your content, so make it count!

Originally published November 25, 2019; Republished April 5, 2024, to update content and video.

How about you? Which blog post titles are you most likely to click and why?