In the Internet Age, the value of news has been cheapened to the point that if you don’t write a compelling headline, hardly anyone will bother to read your post. Headlines must be unique and specific, yet attention grabbing and useful if you want to increase readership.

Here are five easy ways to spice up your headlines:

1. The List Article

Organize your articles around a list. Put numbers in your headlines. This may seem like a lazy clickbait tactic, but it works. List articles dominate the internet because they work. Readers’ eyes are naturally drawn to the contrast between letters and digits and they love the easily digestible material a list presents.

2. Include the Article’s Purpose in the Headline

Just as this article’s headline gave you a clear sense of what the article was going be about, so too should your headlines directly inform the reader what he is getting himself into. It’s human nature to look for the usefulness in doing someting; use your headlines to capitalize on that tendency.

3. Use Data

When possible, include statistics in the headline that advertise its use. Phrases like “How to Attract Readers With” or “Boost Your Sales With These Tips” will make your reader curious as how they can attract readers or boost sales. Result: they read the article.

4. Write Multiple Headlines Before Settling on One

Play around with your headlines before choosing one. Think of the most eye-catching words, try different approaches. It’s very unlikely you will write the best headline you can the first time around.

5. Keep It Short

The best headlines are the ones you can read fully in Google Search rankings. That means they should be 6-8 words long, so choose wisely; every word counts.

Sourcing via Social Media Today.