Say what you want about content is king, or not. Video is the best way to go, or not. Use social media or die. Whatever your opinion, one major truth is HEADLINES RULE! A well-written social media headline captures your reader’s attention, ensuring that they take the next and most important step – read your article.
You see, if you don’t have a great headline for your social media post, then you have lost folks. Take a look at some of the headlines from my email inbox:
- Do It with a Stranger
- An easy way to make things happen
- Avoid Mr. Wrong
- Avalanche! of Savings
- Solar Boats, Urban Skin, War Jewelery and Bikes as Drugs
- Will the Authentic Paula Deen Please Stand Up
These headlines are interesting, have a hook that makes you want to read more, and frankly are just fun.
So what makes a great social media headline anyway?
- Get to the heart of an emotional trigger. You want people to stop and take notice. Get them to wonder about what else is under that great headline. And most importantly, get them to take action, whether it is open the email, click on the social media post or just read more of your article.
- Understand the pain points of the people you are trying to reach. Those annoying things that keep them up at night are what you want to smack head on in your headline.
- Get your benefits lined up. Benefits are how your service or product actually help the targeted reader. Make sure you know these and what the emotional benefit is of each. You can get some amazing headlines written with benefits.
- Know your goal. Make sure you have a goal for your piece. Use a question or benefit, or even start with How To so your reader takes interest quickly.
- Grab your reader’s attention. There are many emotional words you can use to get your reader to pay attention.
Whether it’s email, articles, or posts for social media, the headline is the very first experience your readers have with you and honestly, the first impression. Make it count, and a solid headline will work for you to ensure you get more readers, more likes, more retweets, and more social media juice.