Top headlines are what pull people in to read an article, blog post or social media post. Crafting a catchy headline is one of the most important aspects of writing and has been proven to increase readership. In fact, it’s estimated that five times as many people read the headline as the body copy.
The headline is also what shows up in search engine results and the bookmarks menu, so it’s crucial to make a good impression from the start. For this reason, most long-time headline writers have methods and rituals they go through. Many use the inverted pyramid style that lays out the story’s most important information, with the who, what, where, when and why in order of importance. Others rely on the classic how-to headline that’s been effective for over a century.
Other types of headlines include those that use emotional trigger words like shock or curiosity. It’s also common to see headlines that try to grab a reader’s attention by using power words like ultimate, best or guaranteed. Controversy is another way to grab attention, which works especially well with tabloids and celebrity sites.
Some headlines also explain what the story is about, which is useful for a reader who may be skimming through several articles or searching for a specific topic. This type of headline is especially effective for news stories because it helps readers understand what they are getting into. A headline that tells them what they can expect from the story makes it easier to decide if it’s worth their time.