7 Tips To Write Blog Post Titles That Get Clicks & Examples

Last Updated on July 19, 2023 by Jordan Alexo

Did you know that 80% of people will read your headline, but only 20% will read the rest of your content? Crazy stats, right? See, it’s all about the title!

In this guide, you’ll discover the mystery behind crafting blog post titles that not only grab attention but also get clicked.

I’ll talk about making your titles keyword research, the impact of numbers, keeping them short and sweet, using “power words,” and more.

By the time you’re done reading, you’ll have a set of actionable strategies to turn your blog post titles from ‘just another post’ to ‘can’t miss this one.’

So, are you ready to boost your click-through rates? Let’s rock!

Key Takeaways

1. User’s Search Intent is King: Understanding what your readers are looking for is crucial. Google your main keyword, see what’s ranking, and align your title with that intent.
2. Power Words & Actionable Language: Make your titles pop with strong, descriptive words that encourage action. But remember, don’t overdo it. A little goes a long way.
3. Numbers & Data are Your Friends: Titles with numbers get a 37% higher clickthrough rate. So, whether it’s a listicle or a data point, numbers make your titles more attractive.
4. Simplicity Wins: Keep your titles clear and concise. If your readers have to double-check to understand what your post is about, you’ve lost them.
5. SEO Techniques Matter: Include relevant keywords in your title. But remember, write for people first, search engines second.
6. Create Urgency or Curiosity: Make your readers feel like they need to click now or miss out. Or, make them so curious they can’t resist clicking. But always deliver on your title’s promise.

Why It’s Important To Create Catchy Blog Posts Titles?

Did you know that 80% of readers never make it past the headline? Yeah, that’s right!

Only 8 out of 10 people will read your headline. But only 2 out of 10 will read the rest – Copyblogger

I’d say that’s amazing pressure on one little line of text, isn’t it?

But here’s the thing. A catchy blog post title doesn’t just get you clicks—it gets you the right clicks. Here’s why:

1 – SEO Juice

A well-crafted title packed with relevant keywords can boost your search engine rankings.

Making your post more visible to people searching for your topic. And guess what? Higher visibility equals more clicks.

2 – Social Sharing

A catchy title can increase shares on social media.

See, readers love to share content with intriguing and unique headlines. And more shares mean more potential for clicks.

3 – Reader Engagement

A compelling title sets the stage for your content. Because it draws readers in, pushes their curiosity, and makes them want to devour the rest.

And engaged readers are more likely to become loyal followers, customers, or readers.

What Are The Two Different Types of Blog Post Titles?

When we talk about blog post titles, we’re actually talking about two different things, the meta title (or SEO title) and the blog post title (heading 1).

Title Tag

It shows up in search engine results and the tab at the top of your browser. A good SEO title helps search engines like Google more easily understand what your post is about.

Blog Post Title

This is what your readers see when they land on your page. And here, you can grab your readers’ attention and get them pumped up to read the rest.

Crap! Do I Need Two Different Titles?

Now, you might be thinking, “Okay, so I need to come up with two different titles for every post?”

Well, not exactly! While it’s true that the meta title and blog post title have different purposes, they should still be pretty much the same.

Why? Because consistency is key.

If a reader clicks on a search result because they’re intrigued by the meta title but then land on a page with a completely different title, they’re going to be confused.

And a confused reader is a click-away reader. So, keep it simple.

What Are The 9 Different Blog Titles?

Not all blog post titles are created equal.

In fact, there are nine different types of blog titles that you can use to hook your readers. So, let’s break them down:

1. Listicles: These are your “Top 10” or “5 Ways to” titles. They’re super popular because they promise a quick, easy read. Plus, numbers in titles have been shown to increase clickthrough rates by up to 36%.
2. How-to: These titles promise a solution to a problem. “How to Write a Killer Blog Post Title,” anyone?
3. Question: Titles that pose a question engage the reader’s curiosity. They want to know the answer, so they click.
4. Why: Similar to question titles, “why” titles tap into the reader’s curiosity. “Why Your Blog Post Titles Aren’t Getting Clicks” makes them wonder… well, why?
5. Secret of: These titles promise insider knowledge. Who doesn’t want to know the secret?
6. Product Reviews: Titles like “The Ultimate Review of [Product]” promise an in-depth look at a product, which is super appealing to readers who are in the market for that product.
7. Product Comparisons: “Product A vs. Product B: Which is Better?” These titles promise a clear answer to a common question.
8. Mistakes: “7 Mistakes You’re Making With Your Blog Post Titles” makes readers wonder if they’re making those mistakes.
9. Guide: “The Ultimate Guide to Blog Post Titles” promises a comprehensive look at the topic.

Each of these title types has its strengths, and the best one to use depends on your post content, audience, and goals. So, mix it up!

You want to try different types and see what works best for you.

7 Tips To Write Blog Posts That Get Clicks

Okay, so now you have some basic understanding of things, let’s grab some tips to make your titles insanely clickable.

Tip 1 – Understand the User’s Search Intent

You need to understand what your readers want: What are they looking for when they type a query into Google? Are they looking for a how-to guide? A product to buy? An answer to a burning question?

Here’s a simple way to resolve this:

Just Google your main keyword and look at the posts ranking on the first page. See, these are the posts that Google thinks best answer the user’s query.

So, what do they have in common? Are they how-to guides? Listicles? Product reviews?

Understanding this can help you align your title (and content) with what people are looking for. And when your title matches their intent, they’re much more likely to click.

Tip 2 – Use Actionable Language and Power Words

Using actionable language and “power words” in your titles. These are words that pack a punch. Or you could say they’re strong and descriptive and get people to take action.

For instance, “unleash,” “boost,” “master,” or “ignite.” These words don’t just describe an action—they encourage the reader to take that action.

Also, they make your title more dynamic and enticing, which can lead to more clicks.

But where do you find these “power words”? Well, you’re in luck.

You can easily find lists of hundreds of power words to use in your titles. Just do a quick Google search for “power words for blog post titles,” and you’ll have more than enough to choose from.

But remember, power words are like hot sauce. A little goes a long way.

So, don’t stuff your title full of “power words” just for the sake of it.

Instead, choose one or two that fit your content and audience, and use them to make your title pop.

And don’t forget to test. You may try different power words in your titles and see which ones get the most clicks. This way, you can see what people dig and don’t dig.

Tip 3 – Incorporate Numbers and Data

Now, you might be thinking, “Numbers? Really? How exciting can that be?”

Well, you’d be surprised! See, numbers in titles are extremely effective.

In fact, research from Orbit Media shows that headlines with numbers get a 37% higher clickthrough rate and 162% more impressions.

Why? Because numbers are specific and concrete. And they promise something measurable and tangible.

So, how do you use numbers in your titles? Well, you could go the listicle route:

• “7 Tips to Boost Your SEO.”

Or you could use data or statistics:

• “How to Increase Your Traffic by 50% in 30 Days.”

You could even use numbers to set up a challenge:

• “Can You Double Your Email List in 30 Days?

But here’s the thing: the number has to be relevant and meaningful.

So, don’t just throw in a number for the sake of it. You want to ensure it provides value to your title and gives readers a clear idea of what they can expect from your post.

Also, always deliver on the promise of your title. If your title promises a 50% increase in traffic, your post must give that. Otherwise, you’ll lose your readers’ trust, and they won’t return.

Tip 4 – Keep It Simple and Straightforward

Now, I know what your brain may be telling you. “But Jordan, you just told us to use power words and numbers and all that fuzz. Isn’t that complicating things?” Not exactly!

See, keeping it simple doesn’t mean dumbing it down. It means making your title clear, concise, and easy to understand.

You want to avoid jargon and complex language that might confuse your readers. Instead, your titles should go straight to the point and tell readers what they’ll get from your post.

Why is this so important? Because clarity trumps cleverness every time.

So, while a clever, punny title might make you smile, it most likely won’t help you get more clicks. Your readers must immediately understand what your post is about.

In other words, if someone has to double-check your title to understand what your blog post is about, it failed big time!

Tip 5 – Leverage SEO Techniques

Now, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) might sound like a big, scary term. But it’s just about making your content easy for search engines (and people) to find.

When it comes to your blog post titles, SEO means including relevant keywords in your title. These are the words or phrases that people are likely to search for when they’re looking for content like yours.

By including these keywords in your title, you’re telling search engines (and readers) what your post is about.

But how can you go about this business?

Well, you can’t just stuff your title full of keywords and call it a day. That’s bananas and called keyword stuffing. Not only is it bad for readability, but search engines don’t like it either.

Instead, choose one or two relevant keywords and incorporate them naturally into your title.

If you don’t know how to go about keyword research, then read this awesome post “How To Find Low Hanging Keywords.”

Tip 6 – Create a Sense of Urgency or Curiosity

This is all about tapping into your reader’s emotions and getting them to click out of a desire to know more or a fear of missing out.

Creating a sense of urgency can be as simple as adding time-sensitive words to your title. For instance:

• Last Chance
• Limited Time
• Hurry

See, these words create a sense of scarcity, making your readers feel like they need to click now or miss out.

On the other hand, creating a sense of curiosity is about posing a question or making a statement that leaves your readers wanting to know more. Some examples:

• The Secret to Doubling Your Traffic in 30 Days
• What Google Doesn’t Want You to Know About SEO
• 5 Best Budget Travels You Don’t Want To Miss

These make people curious and feel like, “Holy molly, I need to read this post.”

But don’t forget to deliver your promise. If your title creates a sense of urgency or curiosity, your post better satisfy that urgency or curiosity.

Otherwise, you’ll leave your readers disappointed and less likely to click on your titles.

Tip 7 – Keep The Blog Title Short And Sweet

You might be tempted to squeeze as much information as possible into your title, but hold your horses. When it comes to blog post titles and especially meta titles, brevity is your best friend.

Why’s that? Simple. Short titles are easy to digest. They cut to the chase and don’t bombard the reader with a ton of information.

Plus, they’re more likely to fit within search engine title length limits so they won’t get chopped off in search results.

The fact is your meta title should ideally be between 50 to 60 characters. If it’s any longer, it might get cut off on the Search Engine Results Page (SERP). And you don’t want that, do you?

Don’t just take my word for it. Research from Outbrain found that titles with eight words (typically within the 50-60 character range) had a 21% higher clickthrough rate than longer titles. That’s a big deal!

Examples of Effective Blog Post Titles

Okay, you got all the theory fluff. Now, let’s see some of these tips in action.

So, here are some examples of effective blog post titles that apply the tips we’ve discussed:

1. Listicle: “7 Proven Strategies to Boost Your Blog Traffic Overnight”
2. How-to: “How to Double Your Email List in Just 30 Days”
3. Question: “Are You Making These SEO Mistakes?”
4. Why: “Why Your Blog Isn’t Getting Traffic (And How to Fix It)”
5. Secret of: “The Secret Strategy Top Bloggers Use to Boost Engagement”
6. Product Review: “The Ultimate Review: Is SEMRush Worth the Investment?”
7. Product Comparison: “SEMRush vs. Ahrefs: Which SEO Tool is Right for You?”
8. Mistakes: “5 Common Blogging Mistakes You’re Probably Making”
9. Guide: “Ultimate Guide to Mastering Pinterest for Business (7 Steps)”

Each of these titles is clear, straight to the point with no added BS, and enticing.

Also, they apply all the principles explained by using numbers and “power words,” keyword rich, and make readers feel curious or have a sense of urgency. And best, they deliver on that promise in the post itself.

5 Tools To Help You Craft Better Blog Post Titles

Here are five tools I enjoy using to help me craft better blog post titles:

1. CoSchedule Headline Analyzer: This tool scores your title based on its overall structure, grammar, and readability. It even gives you tips on how to improve!
2. ChatGPT: Well, ChatGPT can do whatever. But you can use it to help you create better blog post titles. Just ask it, “write 5 catchy blog titles + power words + SEO for this [your main keyword]”
3. Portent’s Content Idea Generator: Struggling to come up with a title? Just plug in your subject; this tool will generate a title for you.
4. Sharethrough Headline Analyzer: This tool analyzes your headline and gives you a score based on its likelihood to result in social shares, increased clickthrough rates, and SEO value.
5. AnswerThePublic: This isn’t a title generator, but it’s a great tool for understanding people’s questions about your topic. It can give you ideas for titles that answer those questions.

Last Thoughts

Alright, let’s wrap this up and do a quick recap.

First off, remember that your blog post title is your first impression. It’s what gets you clicks, shares, and engagement. So, don’t skimp on it. Make it count.

Understand the two types of blog post titles: the meta title and the blog post title. Also, them the same to avoid confusing your readers.

You have 9 different types of blog titles. Listicles, how-to, questions, why, secret of, product reviews, product comparisons, mistakes, and guides.

You may mix them up to spice your blog content and make your audience wonder what’s coming next.

Now, onto the tips.

• Understand your user’s search intent.
• Use actionable language and power words.
• Incorporate numbers and data.
• Keep it simple and straightforward.
• Leverage SEO techniques.
• Create a sense of urgency or curiosity.
• And remember, keep your blog title short and sweet.

And finally, don’t forget to test and refine your titles. You may use tools like CoSchedule Headline Analyzer, ChatGPT, Portent’s Content Idea Generator, Sharethrough Headline Analyzer, and AnswerThePublic to help you craft better blog post titles.

Gosh, that’s a lot, right? But remember, crafting a killer blog post title isn’t just about following a formula. Rather it’s about understanding your audience, testing different strategies, and refining your approach based on what works.

So, take these tips and start trying new blog post titles that get clicks. And do you have any questions? Well, leave it below, Jordan Alexo will get back to you asap.

Hey, learn about the blog niches you should avoid so you don’t crash and burn.