How to Write a Best Headline: Helpful Tips, Formulas and Examples

Learn the secrets to crafting a perfect headline that will grab attention and boost engagement. From blog posts to social media captions, we’ve got you covered with tips and examples.

Unlock the key to engaging your readers from the very start. Your headline is their first impression, their reason to choose your content over the noise of the internet.

If you want foolproof strategies for crafting attention-grabbing headlines every time, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll show you how to create a headline that demands attention, and share proven formulas and examples for you to follow.

What makes a perfect headline go viral?

Here are six essential points to consider if you want to stop readers in their tracks.

1. Numbers speak volumes.

Just take a look at the search engine results page for “important marketing metrics.” Which result would you click on? The one with numbers promises more valuable information. Numbers help readers quantify the value they’ll get from your content, so including them in your headlines is a surefire way to grab attention.

2. Share something fresh and exciting.

Curiosity fuels clicks. A compelling headline should tease new information and make readers hungry for more. For example, a headline like “The One Tool That Will Get You to Inbox Zero” sparks curiosity and compels overwhelmed email users to click for a solution. Just be sure to deliver on your promises and avoid clickbait.

3. Teach and guide your readers.

The internet is a treasure trove of knowledge, and people turn to Google for answers to life’s questions. Show readers that your headline offers in-depth guidance on a specific topic, and they’ll be eager to click. Phrases like “Ultimate Guide” or “Comprehensive Guide” work well for those seeking crash courses. To stand out, add qualifiers that differentiate your guide from others, such as specifying your target audience or unique approach.

4. Provoke thought with questions.

Questions have the power to captivate readers, especially if they’ve been pondering the same ones. Questions make readers feel understood, building a sense of connection with the writer. They can also pique curiosity or skepticism, drawing readers to your article.

5. Share your personal experiences.

Humans are drawn to stories, especially personal ones. Readers trust firsthand accounts and appreciate the authenticity they bring. If you have personal stories or experiences to back up your content, let your headline reflect that. Whether it’s hitting a financial goal or achieving weight loss through a specific fitness routine, readers love a personal touch. And don’t forget to embrace imperfections and share your mistakes – it only makes you more relatable.

6. Harness the power of words.

A headline is incomplete without a power word. These impactful words make readers stop and take notice. They’re unique, punchy, and emotionally charged. Words like brilliant, powerful, frustrating, and impressive evoke strong reactions. For more options, check out CoSchedule’s post on power words.

Creating Headlines That Grab Attention:

Foolproof Formulas and Best Practices

Ready to write attention-grabbing headlines? Let’s dive in!

Summarize and captivate:

Get your audience hooked by summarizing the main point and benefits of your content in a clear and concise headline.

Consistency is key:

Match the tone of your headline to the tone of your content. Keep readers engaged by maintaining a consistent voice throughout.

Get creative:

Don’t settle for the first headline idea you come up with. Use our best practices to generate at least 10 headline options per piece. Unleash your creativity and find the most eye-catching and compelling version.

Test for success:

Use CoSchedule Headline Studio to score and compare your headlines based on length, sentiment, power words, and SEO potential. Choose headlines with scores above 70+ to ensure maximum impact.

Crafting catchy headlines made easy: Try these 10 simple formulas for creating captivating headlines for any article.

1. Solve It with a “How to”

Help your audience by addressing their pain points with specific, fast, and user-friendly solutions.

2. Highlight Common Mistakes

Capture attention by pointing out errors that readers may be making or need to avoid.

3. This vs. That: The Ultimate Comparison

Engage readers with comparisons of products, ideas, or approaches to help them make informed decisions.

4. Covering All Bases: Everything You Need to Know

Become the ultimate guide by offering comprehensive information on a topic of interest.

5. Answering the Burning Questions

Pose thought-provoking questions that your article will answer.

6. Sharing Personal Stories and Advice

Connect with your audience through personal experiences and offer advice for success.

7. Exploring the “Why”

Satisfy readers’ curiosity by explaining the reasons behind certain phenomena or choices.

8. Debunking Myths and Misconceptions

Expose common misconceptions and provide clarity on a topic.

9. Power-packed Listicles: Your ticket to capturing attention! 💥

– 10 Unbelievable Reasons to Declutter Your Home 🏡
– Save Big: 20 Easy Ways to Stash Away $1000 in a Year 💵
– 📚 Must-reads Alert: 30 Life-Changing Books Before You Kick the Bucket 🌟

10. Double the Impact with Colon Style:

– Say Goodbye to Writer’s Block: Mastering the Art of Book Writing in 9 Steps ✍️
– Content Marketing vs Paid Ads: Let’s Settle This with a Case Study! 📈
– Boost Your Biz: 10 Quick SEO Tips You Can’t Afford to Ignore 🚀

Copy These Best Headline Examples and Watch Your Content Go Viral!

Why settle for average headlines when you can learn from the best? We’ve scoured the internet for five headline examples that not only meet our criteria, but also have the stats to prove their success. These headlines have generated tons of social shares, backlinks, and overall traffic.

1. Sumo: Perfect Headline

Get the Ultimate Power Words List with 401+ Words for Maximum Conversions

Sumo’s power word post is a must-read! The headline alone, boasting over 401 power words, will pique your curiosity. And with 1800 backlinks, it’s clear that this post is widely read and highly valuable.

2. Shopify:

Start an Online T-Shirt Business with No Experience – We’ll Show You Everything

If you’ve ever wanted to start your own online T-shirt business, Shopify has got you covered. This headline grabs your attention with its promise to share everything you need to know. And with over 800 social media shares, you know it’s worth the read.

3. Hubspot:

Wondering if Exclamation Points Are Overused? Find Out with This Flowchart

Hubspot poses an intriguing question in this short post’s headline and provides an answer through a flowchart. Backed by over 350 backlinks, this post is definitely worth exploring.

4. Groove: Perfect Headline

Learn How Zapier Grew to Over 600k Users in Just Three Years

Get inspired by Groove HQ’s post on Zapier’s incredible growth journey. With specific details and sage advice, this headline guarantees a valuable read. And with over 1000 shares, it’s clear that readers love it.

5. Nerd Fitness:

Embrace Body Acceptance or Address Fat Shaming? Let’s Have the Conversation

This headline tackles a sensitive topic by presenting two opposing ideas. The probing question at the end challenges readers and generates discussion. With over 275 shares, it’s clear that this headline resonates with many.

Craft the Perfect Headline with the Help of Headline Generators

Writing the perfect headline is no easy task. That’s where headline generators come in. If you’re tired of brainstorming multiple options every day, give a headline generator a try. They utilize the formulas discussed in this article to help you create catchy headlines.

Looking for something more? Enter Jasper, the AI writing assistant. With over 52 writing templates, including the Perfect Headline, Facebook Ad Headline, and Google Ad Headline templates, Jasper is your sidekick for crafting unique and intriguing headlines.

Jasper doesn’t stop there. It also offers templates for writing email subject lines and website subheadings, which can be quite challenging. No need to spend hours thinking – let Jasper do the work for you.

Boost your content’s performance by testing different headlines created by Jasper or comparing your own headlines to Jasper’s. Optimize your ads and see which headlines get the best clickthrough rates.

Ready to create viral headlines? Sign up for Jasper now and start crafting attention-grabbing headlines. Need help getting started? Check out Jasper Bootcamp for all the guidance you need.