Whether you’re a marketing writer, a recreational blogger, or a sub editor for a huge publication, the rule is the same: headlines are everything. Your piece could make you the James Joyce of web content, but without a snappy headline, the clickthrough rate will be less than ideal.

The key is to come up with an accurate and clever title that doesn’t suffer from clickbait syndrome- where the title is so vague that readers can’t glean the subject matter, but may or may not feel intrigued enough to click anyway. Don’t take the risk of a reader leaning towards “may not.” If you’re a bit stumped as to how to describe your masterpiece in a way that’s clever, concise, and enticing, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Tips for a Title

• “Avoid alliteration always” is a writing tip that floats around every once in awhile. It was clearly issued by someone who’s never had to come up with a title before. Alliteration is a fun way to tickle the brain of a reader and attract attention. Go ahead…. take that alliterative title you came up with in the shower and run with it!
• You’ve done the research. You’ve fact-checked, grammar-checked, and spell-checked. You’re confident that the content you’re putting forward is a valuable source of knowledge and the best it can be. Make sure that confidence comes across in your title! Be assertive and use strong declarative language.
• Be creative and engaging. If this seems vague/like an insurmountable challenge, take some advice from Verve Search: add a clever or creative twist on an otherwise straightforward or, dare I say, average title. By doing that, you’ve already hooked the reader by throwing them a curveball.
• If you’re not sure you’ve entirely nailed it, take a look at this handy tool from CoSchedule: a headline analyzer! Type in your working title or headline and it will give you a helpful breakdown of its impact.

Remember that, in the end, you’re writing for the reader, and your thoughtful, well-researched, and necessary content deserves exposure. That’s why a clever title is everything. Challenge yourself for your next blog post by making sure the title is the best it can be!