So, you've tirelessly worked on writing the best article there is on underwater basket weaving have you? You've researched, slaved, struggled and finally churned out a masterpiece. Oh yes, the magnificence of your article is impressive and inspiring to all who read it -- all three of them.

Where are you dropping the ball? What's the hang up? You have great subheads, your keyword density is good but you just aren't getting people reading your post. What gives?

Kick Krauts In The Keester And Kick Your Titles Up A Notch

Here's your problem with that article: the title. "A Retrospective on Underwater Basket Weaving: Early Years through Present Day Techniques." Oh yes, that's a real barnburner there. Just try to stop me from reading it. Oh wait, it's boring as sin. The problem with this title is that it doesn't give me any reason to read it. It doesn't pull me in.

You need to stick it to your title like Indiana Jones, Captain America or any of a million others gave it to the Nazis in WWII. Don't let them try to dominate your piece, kick it in the tail and make it work.

Try something a little fun -- don't be afraid to play with your titles. You don't need to stick whatever pops first into your head on the top of your hard work. What about "How Underwater Basket Weaving Helped Colonize America" or "Defend the Universe with Underwater Basket Weaving?"

Make Your Titles Pull People In

Here's the purpose of the title of your article: to get people to read what you've written. Seriously, that's it. That's its whole purpose in life. Your title isn't supposed to tell people everything that's in your article. It's not meant to entice a niche market. It's meant to pull in as many people as possible.

However, there is a line you can cross. You can go too far. Don't try to be too cute with your titles, don’t try to pull people in with something that doesn't even relate to what you're saying because then people will get annoyed and never read you again. Now go forth and write some mean, enticing and engaging titles!

 

--Morgan Greenhalgh