What Kind of First Impression Do You Make?
People put a great deal of emphasis on first impressions, whether you are meeting someone face-to-face, applying for a job or writing an article or blog. For the blogger and article writer, the first impression you make is your headline (or title, for those who prefer to call it that). This may determine whether your blog gets read or passed on for another.
Different articles or blogs will lend themselves to different types of headlines. Knowing what kind best suits your article is good start.
* Direct headline: Obviously, this is the straightforward no nonsense variety. When in doubt, this one is probably best. I write a news section for the monthly magazine I work for. Since the topics are technical or business related, I'm usually expected to be straightforward.
* Indirect headline: This one is a bit more subtle and good if you are looking to grab your readers with a clever line or humor. You can also make use of puns or literary devices. Don't be too deceptive though. Readers will be irritated if they find they have been deceived. Also, use this headline only if you are sure it's appropriate. Humor with the wrong topics can come across as lame or even offensive.
* Question headline: I'm fond of this one (in case you hadn't noticed). Asking a question should involve the reader and make the topic more personal to him/her, whether you are empathizing or asking for an opinion.
I've heard of other categories, but they generally fit into these three. I can't say I know any great secret to writing effective headlines. My degree is in English, where my professors encouraged clever titles for our well-written essays (or attempts at such, as one professor kindly put it). The rest of my training was on-the-job, with help and criticism from my boss. Try different types to see what is most effective for your writing. With practice, the clever headlines will come.
In closing, I would like to emphasize that you should make sure you have no spelling errors or typos in your headline (sorry, the editor in me refuses to keep quiet). This is a reflection on you. When your reader or an editor sees mispelled words in a headline, he/she may decide that the rest of your article may have the same kind of typos and dismiss it without reading it.
After all, first impressions are very important.
- gom jabbar's blog
- Login or register to post comments
- 549 reads
so true!
a headline can make or break your blog post. i've experimented with different types of headlines, but i'm still trying to find my "headline style"... i agree about the misspelled headlines... i'm a sucker for good spelling, so that is always a big turn-off for me... when the headline has spelling errors. :(
a person's headline can become their trademark too.. for example realitycheck... i always know which posts are hers because she CAPITALIZES words and uses lots of !!!!'s... i can spot her posts right away... that's a good thing though :)
Blogalicious by Bexx
MySpace or Yours
Headlines...
I think I've become more picky about headlines since I started blogging. I've seen some great ones here, and some really rotten ones. I write different types of articles, so I don't stick to one type. That works for some better than it does for me.
I also agree that you can recognize certain blogs based on headlines. It's what I would call "fragrant" titles or headlines because you can "smell" them with looking at the author of the blog, and Realitycheck is definitely one of them. Maybe she should be giving the rest of us some advice.
-----------------------------------
Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. - Edgar Allan Poe
re: headlines
I seem to be the only one here using "Of ..." titles. That's gotten to be a deliberate "signature" practice.
Used to be that practically every essay title written by anyone in the European tradition began with it - a practice that goes all the way back to (at least) the Roman Empire. But it fell out of fashion in English in the 19th century, and in earlier phases of my life I was yelled at for using it. Maybe I'll get yelled at for it now. But now it's so old, it's new. And I'm gonna use it until it's not new anymore and I need to find another trick. :)
i didn't mean to leave you out...
it's true, you have very distinctive headlines too... and i enjoy reading your posts as well, i just don't always understand all the words you use... a tragic side effect of being part of the MTV generation... ;-)
Blogalicious by Bexx
MySpace or Yours
propelling my craft
i just don't always understand all the words you use
That's a tragic side effect of the Ph.D.. Though I seem to recall people complaining about my $5 word habit in the second grade ... Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis, anyone? :)
so it's not just me then?
Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis, anyone? :)
Sorry... is that anything like supercalifragilisticexpialidocious? ;-)
Blogalicious by Bexx
MySpace or Yours
no it's not just you
is that anything like supercalifragilisticexpialidocious?
No, it's Greek:
Cassius Did Cicero say any thing?
Casca Ay, he spoke Greek.
Cassius To what effect?
Casca Nay, an I tell you that, I’ll ne’er look you i’ the face again; but those that understood him smiled at one another and shook their heads; but, for mine own part, it was Greek to me.
- Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, Act 1, Scene 2
Means "spiny round [thing]" "from Drobak" (a fjord in Norway). Common name: green sea urchin.
I'm a taxonomist. Where else do you put people in love with big words? Who can't get on Mr. Roger's Neighborhood as a puppet king? :)
Well well well...
You're at it again I see. I don't suppose I need to post the link again. ;)
----------------------
Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. - Edgar Allan Poe
Don't laugh...
but what do big words have to do with stuffing dead animals? ;-)
It's getting late... :( Maybe I should go to bed now...:(
Blogalicious by Bexx
MySpace or Yours
"Of" headlines
Actually, your "Of" headlines was among the ones I was thinking of when I mentioned "fragrant" titles (and I meant that in a positive way, by the way). Don't worry about getting yelled at here. You're usually the one keeping the rest of us in line. ;)
------------------------
Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. - Edgar Allan Poe
goodnight myspace and gom jabbar
see y'all tomorrow. I'll see if I can't come up with any more fantabulous exemplars of prolixity for you. And no, taxonomists don't stuff dead animals. They're taxidermists, for the thesaurus-challenged among you (this is why myspace felt the need to hit the sack suddenly ...). And please don't ask me what kind of skin is taxi skin. (Now I need to run ...)
Ooops...
Sorry about that... good night :)
Blogalicious by Bexx
MySpace or Yours
Just Read Gom Jabbers Post! Great!
I just read this blog. I have been really busy for the last few days and truly haven't had much time to read other blogs. Anyways, thanks for the compliments - Gom Jabber & Myspace, I appreciate it!
I attended this seminar on selling on Ebay. I learned a ton about headlines from this incredible lady. She has like 5 best selling books and has made over a million bucks off ebay alone.
So what she said was pretty simple:
1. Keep your headline short and sweet.
2. Make it appeal to everybody. Swear words, anything degrading or disgusting (by common belief) isn't going to "sell". For example, If your headline contains the word "poop" you might automatically lose a ton of reads, even if your article happens to be a great one.
3. Use capitals sparingly. Capiltalize your important words only. Most of the time this is nouns. For the other words capitalize the first letter. This really does draw attention. People tend to think that all cap's are catchy but they are actually harder to read.
4. Use catchy words when possible- People LOVE taboo's. Scandal, Sex, Drugs, etc.
5. Always use FUN descriptive nouns - "Juicy" Scandal, "Delicious" Sex, "Highly Illegal" Drugs. It draws attention.
6. Don't EVER mislead people! If you plan to draw attention by saying "Juicy SEX Secrets", please make your article in some way relate to it. I have actually seen several authors here post "key words" then not even use them. You will lose total credibility.
and lastly,
7. Although this was used at the Ebay seminar I really think it applies to bloggerparty and the every day work place to - "Always Thank Your Consumer". If somebody write a response to your blog don't let it go unnoticed. If someone compliments you let them know that it was kind. Your consumers keep you in business. Good business practice will make you successful.
So I hope what I learned can help others. Once again, thanks for mentioning me!
Oh, and one more thing, if people can't understand what you are writing on they probably won't read it. Some of these really big, not frequently used words can confuse people. Same with Ebay, if someone browses posts they may not want to invest the time to figure out what a big word means. They'd rather skip to something a little easier to understand.
I kinda feel the same way. If I am confused by a headline I figure "Well, the blog's probably going to be just as bad", so I pass on it.
No... Thank you!
You made some excellent suggestions. Perhaps you should have written this blog. ;) You seem to know what you're doing in that department, and the readership you generate is proof of that.
Good stuff!
--------------------------
Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. - Edgar Allan Poe
Reality strikes again
The only issue I have with the strategy Reality discusses is that, followed through to its logical conclusion, it will reduce our vocabulary to the level of the Madison Avenue sales pitch. That is, to near zero. Bad, I think. Even Reader's Digest, with its famously low reading level, has its regular Increase your word power column in an attempt to combat The Incredible Shrinking Dictionary. Perhaps this is why I persist in catapulting the occasional Strongylocentrotus grenade into your territory. After all, it's not like money's at stake here. :)
Workshop calls, I'm outa here
Heathen back y'eh, 'pon the wall ...
Ha!
Increase Your Word Power features such words as "epitome", "ballast", and "effigy". The scientific name for a sea urchin has never been in there. I mean, we're not talking about such fantastical words that they haven't been spoken by human lips for thousands of years. Their word lists failed to impress me past age 8.
ah! (or maybe "agh"!)
Their word lists failed to impress me past age 8
You would be astounded to discover how many college students passed through my classes (when I was doing such things) to whom these words would have been Greek (for at least two of the three, they would have been right, but ... not now ...) RD is at least attempting something (don't get me started on what else they're attempting ...)
Big words are cool!
I may not know many big words... but I think it's good to have people around who won't let up on using them or else, like o ceallaigh said, we'll be reduced to a practically non-existent vocabulary.
I'm not ashamed to admit when I don't understand a word... and I'm a pretty avid reader... I think it's good to have to pull out the dictionary every once in a while ... or just use The New Millenium Devil's Dictionary...;-)
And o ceallaigh's blogs don't seem to suffer from lack of readers...despite the big words... :)
Blogalicious by Bexx
MySpace or Yours
Big Words and so on...
I wasn't in anyway trying to imply that people should stick to one and two syllable words. I too like O'Ceal's blogs. Myself, I also use larger words. The fact is that the average reading level in the United States is the equivalent to that of an 8th grader. Sad but true.
I was just posting what I had learned in that seminar if it works for you, great! If not, do what does work! One thing I'd like to mention, in relation to bloggerparty, is that large words may be beneficial to making money here. As one author had mentioned, words like "Mesotheliomia" (I don't know the proper spelling) pays more. But, as I had wrote, this topic may cater to a smaller audience than, lets say, a topic about sex. A good example of that was the post about Penis Size.
Either way, keep blogging!
Big words again :)
A few things... I have no trouble understanding or using big words. After all, after four years reading articles like this "Structure and properties of Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer...", nothing here can phase me. However, there is a difference between good writing and flaunting an impressive lexicon. "Big words" have their place, but should not be used excessively. Besides, Realitycheck's right. The average reading level in this country is embarassingly low. Besides, the reading level in most online settings is lower anyway to reach readers of all ages.
-------------------------
Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. - Edgar Allan Poe
Some much valuable learning
from your blog and the comments. Thanks to all.
Thanks! ....
To the several of you who have indicated at least a tolerance for my exercises in the vocabulary sphere. Be assured, there's more to come ... :)
Tolerance?
Tolerance? Nonsense! We're your biggest fans. But your biggest fans can also be your toughest critics, at least honest fans. ;) Of course you know when I give you a hard time about it that it's all in good fun? :)
--------------------
Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. - Edgar Allan Poe
Beware of tongues planted in cheeks ...
... and bloggers writing well after their bedtimes when all kinds of nonsense can seem funny. After they've spent all day in a cramped studio wondering if the vocalists are EVER going to get it right (sheesh!)... No, milady, I very much appreciate your kind thoughts, and am grateful that you find enjoyment in what I write. A little needle I don't mind. The High Handed Enemy, well, now, we'd have to talk about that. Last I knew, I was human. Even if male ... :) "We seldom administer this test to men children." The implications! Imagine the talk if a woman had written that book ...
Caffeine ... must have caffeine ...
"Men children"
The implications! Imagine the talk if a woman had written that book ...
I never thought of that, although I'm sure the male would not have had a greater pain threshold than any female child if a woman wrote the book. ;)
--------------------------
Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. - Edgar Allan Poe
Kull wahad!
I'm sure the male would not have had a greater pain threshold than any female child if a woman wrote the book. ;)
But that's what made Muad'Dib Muad'Dib. He could go (mentally anyway) where any woman could, and then some. No wonder he scared Her Reverence Gaius Helen.
For the rest of us: "Take your bottom lip and pull it over your head." - Bill Cosby (attributed to Carol Burnett)
This is true...
I understand what you are saying and I agree. His threshold for pain was one of many things that made Paul special, the Maudi. I suppose what I meant is that perhaps this "messiah" story might look a bit different if a woman wrote it. But who knows?
---------------------------
Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. - Edgar Allan Poe
Thanks Gom Jabbar & Reality
Thanks Gom Jabbar & Reality Check! Will put in more thought when i'm writing the headline and the blog.
Thank you too
Your comments are appreciated (you also got me back on topic, which helps). I try to share some of what I've learned from being an editor, and I'm glad you find it helpful. What I usually do is write the headline last.
I'd post more but I'm at work. Thanks for the comment.
------------------
Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. - Edgar Allan Poe