There’s nothing worse to a marketer than clicking over
and seeing the same 10-20 clicks you saw last week. You posted
your short article in hopes you could generate a fresh stream
of traffic to your site. O.k. so you got a few more views this
week than last. But the truth is few of your articles pull very
many readers even after months. The reader/view count rarely
rises above 30-40 views. You know you have good solid information
that would be helpful to people if you could just get them read.
You might share the problem hundreds of article writers share—Dud
Titles. You must develop a sizzling title to pull your audience
in by the collar. You know like the newspapers and magazine
headlines. They can’t afford to publish dud titles that
don’t capture the interest of their readers.
Yet among other marketers of books, products and services few
seem to put much effort into crafting a magnetic title. It doesn’t
have to be that way with you. Now is where you fire your Dud
Titles and hire only Sizzlers. Here are a few tips to help you
sizzle your title like a professional.
1. The Command.
“Write Your Best Book Now!”
Most will say they don’t like being told what to do.
But our human psyche seems to respond in spite of what we like.
The command has an immediate effect. Why? It connects with the
“Yes, I want that” spot within us all. Commands
reassure you that helpful advice will follow that help you get
what you want from the advice. It tells the readers it’s
possible to achieve the benefit the author is claiming.
2. The How to.
“How to Make Your Article Go the Extra Mile
People love to learn with simple steps and fast. Combine it
with a powerful benefit and you will reel your reader in every
time. You decide. Does the title above, “How to Make Your
Articles Go the Extra Mile” or “8 Ways to Format
Your Article”
3. The Provocative Statement.
“5 Mistakes to Avoid That Drive Your Web Visitors Away
In Less Than 2 Minutes”
You mean my site could be driving my visitors away that fast.
Especially, if you have been working hard to get site visitors
you would want to know what would drive them away fast. Provocative
statements pull at our attention like an electric shock. They
make us curious. They sometimes make us mad. They make us feel
a lot of different things but most of all they make us read.
4. The Question.
“Do You Want More Traffic, More Free Publicity, More Sales?
Most times people unconsciously answer the question you pose
in their minds. The key is to provide the answers in your copy
including statistics. For example, “Have you ever felt
afraid to buy online? Like it or not, many are still cautious
of buying on the web. A Boston Consulting Group Consumer Survey
found that 70% of respondents worry about making purchases online.”
5. The Big Promise.
“How to Increase Sales 400% by Using Short Articles”
People will click away from hype and never come back. But
if you have a big gun don’t be afraid to pull it out and
use it. Consider carefully and use sparingly; then make your
big promise and deliver. People will remember your promises
and come back for more or purchase. Don’t forget to include
the specific delivery or ‘how to’ in the copy beneath
your big promise headline.
6. The Confusing.
“3 Little Pigs Went to Market but One Went Faster”
Develop curiosity into your title. A seemingly opposite simile
works like a charm. Sometimes the title that doesn’t make
a lot of sense will pull your audience in for the read. Would
the title above arouse your curiosity? The confusing title can
capture the attention of your audience just to see what it’s
about.
7. The Top Benefit.
“Think and Grow Rich”
A winning non-fiction title immediately communicates the benefit
readers will gain after reading your book. Benefit-oriented
books often use the problem-solution approach. Master (A) this
skill or technique and get (B) this benefit. Readers buy non-fiction
books for a “benefit” for something that will help
them, grow them, profit more, less expense, less trouble, gain
more time, less stress, better relationships, better health,
less drama, less trauma, more energy and vitality and less fatigue.
Without an interesting title that stirs emotion, evokes interest
or arouses curiosity your articles may go unread another year.
Implement the title templates above to capture the interest
of your visitors and get all of your articles read. Sizzle your
titles; watch your reader counts rise and prosper!
