How to Write a Headline: Tips, Tricks, & 80+ Templates

We 100% agree with Will Rogers when he says “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Imagine you have only 3 seconds to make a first impression on your readers. These 3 seconds can make or break their decision to click your article or scroll past it. Do you know what helps them decide this? It’s the headline or an H1 title!

Source: Canva

Now the question is what makes a good headline or simply how to write a headline. We’ll explore it today by sharing tips, tricks, and handy templates to help you write a headline for your content. So, let’s begin our exciting journey of exploring how to write a great headline.

Why Do Good Headlines Matter

As we now know what a headline is, let’s check out below why good headlines matter the most to win over readers.

• A compelling headline tells what the article is about, setting clear expectations. This helps reduce bounce rates, as readers who click are more likely to find the content they’re interested in.
• Well-crafted headlines with relevant keywords improve search engine rankings. This helps you attract organic traffic, making your content more visible on Google.
• A numeral headline can increase CTR by up to 36%. Readers are more likely to click on articles with specific, measurable, and impactful titles.
• Consistent, recognizable headlines can reinforce your brand identity and help you stand out in a cluttered digital landscape.
• A great headline sparks social media shares, expanding your reach. The reason for this is quite simple; people share what intrigues them. 

How to Write a Headline That Makes Readers Click

Source: Freepik

There is no one-size-fits-all formula for writing good headlines. Even the vastness of the best headlines ever written proves that different techniques work in different scenarios. But all of them share some winning factors. For example, numerals, action words, emotional triggers, keywords, benefit(s), questions, or how-to format. Let’s explore in 5 simple steps below how to write a headline that works.

1. Understand your readers’ interests and pain points to craft compelling headlines.
2. Communicate clearly the value readers will gain from clicking on your headline.
3. Identify and add ‘key phrases’ that align with your content’s central idea, 
4. Stick to 6-9 words (ideally 60-65 characters) to craft an impactful headline.
5. Avoid clickbait and craft headlines that honestly reflect the content, avoiding misleading titles.

Pro Tip: According to Eli Pariser, “If you only have one shot at writing a headline, there’s a lot of pressure’. And we don’t want you to take that pressure on your brain. That’s why professional blog writers never write headlines once. Therefore, leverage our Free Blog Post Idea Generator to craft and test unlimited headline versions and filter out what fits best with your audience. 

Characteristics of a Killer Headline

Source: Freepik

We often hear about the 4 U’s in headline writing – urgent, unique, useful, and ultra-specific. But to craft impactful headlines that grab attention, make sure they’re SMART!

S – Specific

Let’s keep it simple. Readers pay attention to your article headline for only a few seconds. So, make the most of these few seconds. Be clear, concise, and specific in telling why they should care to explore the article further. 

M – Memorable

You scroll through a lot of headlines daily. But only a few (or sometimes just one) of them captivate you for long (even after you finish reading that post). Be sure to craft a headline that sticks with the reader and keeps them coming back for seconds.

A – Actionable

Compelling headlines for SEO encourage readers to take immediate action or engage with your content. They use action verbs like ‘Discover’, ‘Learn’, or ‘Get’ to prompt engagement. This helps them effectively achieve the desired results (web traffic, clicks. shares).

R – Relevant

Headlines that address the reader’s interests, needs, or pain points attract them straightaway like a magnet. This builds instant connection and compels them to engage further, driving meaningful interaction and understanding.

T – Timely

Timely headlines are effective because they keep pace with current events and trends, fostering credibility and trust with the audience. This, as a result, helps readers instantly connect with your article’s topic and stay abreast with the current happenings.

[Bonus]: 80+ Attention-Grabbing Headline Templates

The following easy-to-use templates will help you write catchy headlines to ultimately drive more engagement.

1. Content-Wise Headline Templates

Let’s explore tried and true templates for article, blog post, and news headlines. 

Article Headline Templates

• The [Adjective] [Trend/Topic] You Need to Know
• How [Trend/Topic] is Changing the Way We [Desirable Outcome]
• The [Adjective] Way to [Desirable Outcome] That Nobody Tells You
• Why [Problem] is the Biggest Challenge of Our Time
• A Deep Dive into [Complex Topic]
• The [Adjective] [Trend/Topic] Revolution
• Bridging the Gap Between [Concept A] and [Concept B]
• Understanding the [Scientific/Technical] Behind [Topic]
• [Scholarly/Research-Based] Analysis of [Subject]
• The [Number] Biggest [Trend/Topic] Breakthroughs
• [Number] [Adjective] [Specific Group] Share Their [Desired Result]
• What [Influencer/Expert] Says About [Trend/Topic]
• The [Number] Most [Adjective] [Trend/Topic] of the Year

Blog Post Headline Templates

• Common Myths About [Topic] Debunked
• The Pros and Cons of [Topic]
• [Number] Things I Wish I Knew Before [Action]
• Why You Should [Action] Right Now
• Mastering [Topic]: A Comprehensive Guide
• How I [Achieved Goal] (and You Can Too!)
• [Personal Story] About [Lesson Learned]
• Real-Life Examples of [Topic] Success Stories
• Insider Secrets: [Topic] Revealed
• The Best Practices for [Topic]: Do’s and Don’ts
• How [Topic] Can Enhance Your [Aspect]
• The Definitive Handbook on [Topic]
• Everything You Need to Know About [Topic]
• X Things I Wish I Knew Before [Experience]
• The Shocking Truth About [Topic] Revealed!

News Headline Templates

• Important Announcement: [News Headline]
• [Company] in Hot Water After [Controversial Action]
• Recent Discoveries in [Field/Industry] May Change Everything
• Exclusive Interview with [Key Figure] on [Topic]
• Don’t Miss Out: Live Updates on [Ongoing Event]
• [News] Alert: [Desirable Outcome]
• [Sports Team] Wins [Championship/Major Game]
• [Government/Official] Makes Major Announcement on [Topic]
• Breaking: [Event] Shakes [Industry/Community]
• [Disaster/Tragedy] Leaves [Casualties] In Its Wake
• [Economic Indicator] Shows Signs of [Positive/Negative Trend]
• [Company/Industry] Announces [News]
• The Latest [Trend/Topic] News You Need to Know
• Exciting News: [Company/Person] Makes Groundbreaking Progress
• New Study Reveals [Insight] About [Topic]
• [Location]: [Significant Event] Unfolds

2. Strategic Headline Templates

Now we’ll dive into strategic templates for numerical, curiosity-driven, and question-posing headlines. 

Number Headline Templates

• [Number] Proven Methods for [Action]
• [Number]% Increase in [Metric] After Using [Method]
• Achieve Success in [Number] Easy Steps
• [Number] Signs You Need to [Action] Immediately
• Is [Statistic] True? Here’s the Shocking Reality!
• [Number] Things You Can Do Today to [Achieve Desired Result]
• [Number] Reasons Why [Desirable Outcome]
• Only [Number] Days Left to [Benefit]
• [Number] Strategies to Improve Your [Aspect]
• The [Number] Most Effective Ways to [Achieve Goal]
• [Number] Tips for [Desirable Outcome]
• The [Number] Most [Adjective] [Trend/Topic]
• [Number] Steps to [Desirable Outcome]
• The [Number] Biggest [Trend/Topic] Mistakes
• [Number] Hacks to Simplify Your Life

Curiosity Headline Templates

• This [Object] Has a Hidden History You Never Imagined
• What You Didn’t Know About [Topic]
• Scientists Just Discovered [Fascinating Fact] About [Topic]
• What Happens When You [Action]? You Won’t Believe It!
• The Hidden [Benefit] of [Product/Service]
• Forget Everything You Thought You Knew About [Topic]
• The Surprising [Benefit] of [Desirable Outcome]
• What [Influencer/Expert] Doesn’t Want You to Know
• This Unexpected [Thing] Could Change How You [Action]
• Here’s Why You Should Be Paying Attention to [Emerging Trend]
• The Dark Side of [Topic] No One Talks About
• This Simple Trick Will Blow Your Mind (and [Benefit])
• The Untold Story of [Topic]
• The Astonishing Facts About [Topic]

Question Headline Templates

• What’s the Secret to [Desirable Outcome]?
• How Can You Save Money on [Product/Service]?
• Can [Desirable Outcome] Really Happen?
• Why Do Experts Recommend [Action/Product]?
• Should You [Action] in Today’s Market?
• Can [Product/Service] Really Deliver [Desirable Outcome]?
• How Can You Improve Your [Skill/Ability]?
• Is [Topic] the Solution You Need?
• Are You [Adjective] Enough to [Desirable Outcome]?
• What Are the Best Strategies for [Task/Challenge]?
• Is [Product/Service] Worth the Hype?
• What Are the Top [Number] Reasons to [Do Something]?
• How Can You [Desirable Outcome] in [Timeframe]?
• Who Benefits Most from [Topic]?
• How to [Achieve Desired Outcome] Without [Common Obstacle]?

Conclusion

In this article, we covered everything you need to know when creating a headline for your content. From the compelling reasons behind creating a headline to how to make a good headline, we made it easy for you. And after that, we provided you with 80+ templates to write a click-worthy headline!

In this age of skimming and scanning, headlines are the new content. As we know 80% of people just read your headline and skip the rest of the content. That makes it really important to know how to write a good headline.