Small Business Owners: I’m Sharing My Headline Secrets for Blog Posts

This post originally appeared on Savvy-Writer.com on March 22, 2012 and has been modified.

Get the Secrets to Writing Headlines for Blog Posts from Amandah Blackwell, Savvy-Writer.

Photo credit: Israel Papillon

One of the most important aspect of blog content writing is creating an eye-catching headline for blog posts.

As a freelance content writer, I understand the importance of writing headlines for the web.

Below are a few of my secrets for writing headlines for blog posts.

How I Create Headlines for Blog Posts

I read tabloid magazine headlines

As a freelance content writer, I know that tabloid magazines have the best headlines.

They grab a reader’s attention within seconds.

This is why they sell! The headlines hook readers, making them want to read the articles.

But keep in mind that it’s still important to optimize a headline for SEO.

Why?

Because internet users search via their smartphones and use long tail keyword phrases. Here are a few examples:

  • How to increase blog comments
  • How to increase profits by using direct mail
  • Cleveland, Ohio freelance ghostwriters
  • What to do and see in Edinburgh, Scotland

Sometimes, I place the primary keyword in front and the secondary keyword at the end. Or, I’ll only use the primary keyword.

Here’s an example:

How a Blog Copywriter Increased ABC Travel Agency’s Web Traffic by 175%

The primary keyword is ‘Blog Copywriter’ and the secondary keyword is ‘ABC Travel Agency’.

I read Cosmopolitan

The publishers of Cosmopolitan magazine understand the importance of effective communication.

Their writers create headlines that make readers want to read the articles.

They may even shock them.

This is why I rip-off the front cover and save it.

It’s how I build and keep my ‘headline swipe’ file current.

It’s good for those days when I need help or inspiration writing headlines.

I read blogs

I read many blogs, maybe too many!

I pay close attention to the headlines, format, style, and comments (great for generating blog topics).

I continue my education

I’m constantly learning by:

  • Attending writer’s conferences and workshops.
  • Taking writing classes.
  • Reading books about freelance writing.
  • Networking with other freelance writers.
  • Taking communication classes such as public speaking.

I specialize in writing for certain industries

You may be surprised to discover that I fell into content writing.

How?

I wrote an article about my travel to Edinburgh, Scotland for the International Fringe Festival and submitted to an Arizona travel writing company.

I was hired. And the rest as they say is history.

Specializing helps me to focus on the industry(ies) I write for.

The main industry I write for is travel. However, I also write for the following industries:

  • Accounting
  • Health
  • Nonprofit
  • Personal Finance

My writing specialties include:

  • Article writing
  • Blog copywriting
  • Case studies (love the research)
  • eBooks
  • Social Media content

Now you know some of my secrets for writing headlines for blog content.

Are you currently struggling with writing blog content for your business? Are you confused about headlines for blog posts? Do you have any questions about working with a blog content writer?

Leave a comment below and I’ll do my best to address it.

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