OK so you know how to write article content that will knock the socks off your readers. But do you know how to get people to read your content in the first place? Contrary to what some may think the need for effective writing skills is NOT limited to the body of the article itself.
When you are writing articles you must realize that your title is the first thing people will see. Based upon their ‘impression’ of the title they make a decision as to whether they will continue reading any further. The title is your ‘lure’ and if it doesn’t work you’ve wasted your time.
Writing articles is a great way to gain exposure and generate traffic on the internet. Doesn’t it make sense that if you’re going to take the time to do the article research to make sure people will read your article?
Well let’s look at some of the different ways you can compose a title that will attract readers to your article:
INSTRUCTIONAL TITLE
People are ALWAYS searching the internet for answers: ‘how to’ bake a chocolate cake or ‘how to’ get rid of poison ivy. What ever it is people are looking for answers on ‘how to’ do it. Learn to write titles that clearly convey to people what knowledge they will gain from reading your content.
In general people as a rule thirst for information that ‘teaches’ them ‘how to’ solve problems or make their own lives easier so give them what they want! What’s more be sure to tell them what it is you’re giving them in your title. Tell them what they will gain or learn from reading your article.
RATINGS TITLE
Having a title that gives a ‘numbered selection’ of the best such as ‘Top 10 Ways’ or ‘Top 3 Things to See When in Ireland…’usually draws people in. Most people only want the ‘top’ information and if you put it in a list, this type format is easier for them to review. It creates a sense of organization in their mind.
Curiously enough the use of odd numbers such as 3,5,7 or the number 10 seem to get the best reaction from readers!
TEASER TITLE
Arouse the person’s curiosity by using wording such as ‘rarely seen’, ‘little known’ or ’secret methods’ to instill a feeling of privilege in them. By making readers feel that they will benefit from ‘exclusive’ information the general public is not aware is a temptation that will motivate them to read further.
By indicating that the content of your article holds valuable information without telling them exactly what it is will make anybody curious. Curiosity killed the cat but it will also get your article read.
SHOCKING TITLE
Any title that challenges popular opinion usually will get a second look. Effective writing skills will sometimes seek to get an emotional reaction from the reader. Good or bad these emotions help to compel the reader to seek out additional information within the body of the article.
The reasoning here is simple: if the reader agrees with the contention they naturally feel comfortable with the further affirmations the content will supply. It reinforces their beliefs and besides who doesn’t enjoy being ‘agreed’ with?
If the authors’ contentions are opposed to the readers’ beliefs then the reader will want to seek out the errors and faults of the writers’ contention.
PROBING TITLE
When posing a question to the reader in your title you are immediately engaging them. Writing strategies such as these enjoy their success by ‘leading’ the person further into the article content to get answers to the question the title presented to them.
Subtle writing strategies like this are very effective as long as the question is thought provoking enough to ‘draw’ the reader in.
ASSERTIVE TITLE
Any title that communicates in an assertive or authoritative manner normally commands the attention of the reader. ‘Stop What You’re Doing and Read This Now!” or perhaps “You Don’t Need to Buy Diapers Anymore!” are perfect examples. Titles such as these make readers feel the author is both confident and knowledgeable. This feeling compels people to read more and see what the author has to say.
EXPLANATION TITLE
Once again people are always on a quest for information. Usually titles that ‘advertise’ that the body of the article within will ‘explain’ or ‘give reasons’ for something attract readers.
When these explanations or reasons are displayed in an organized fashion such as steps it tends to place the reader in a comfort zone. These steps also serve to lure the reader deeper into the content. It’s hard just to read a portion of all the steps with out completing the entire list.
Always try to incorporate, when possible, an easy to read format like this when you are writing articles.
If you want your articles to be read you need to know how to write article titles that will attract readers in the first place! When you learn to write eye catching titles by using any of the methods above you’ll likely see an increase your readership. Wouldn’t that make your efforts all the more worthwhile?
By: T. J. Philpott
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
TJ Philpott is an author and Internet entrepreneur based out of North Carolina.
For additional Money Making Tips and a free guide that demonstrates how to find both profitable markets and products visit:blogbrawn.com/
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