Creating a compelling headline for your article, email, or even your sales page can be a frustrating and futile practice.  You need the headline to contain your keywords, often difficult to imagine in a real sentence.  Truly, it can be a hair pulling experience.  Researching the keyword 'headline', one of the largest searches was 'headlines today top'.  How on earth can that logically fit into a sentence?  Fortunately, with this tip, you don't have to worry about it.

In addition to search engine optimization, the other task that your headline has is, of course, to gain attention.  Your headline needs to encourage people to open your email and to read your article or web page.

Here's how to accomplish both:

Step 1.  Using the keyword 'headline writing,' place it in your headline like so:  Headline Writing -

Step 2.  Now consider what your article or email is about.  Can you use one of these popular headline starters?

•  Learn How
• How To
• __ Tips
• __ Secrets

Step 3.  Put it all together. 

• Headline Writing - Learn How to Write Attention Grabbing Headlines in Less than 60 Seconds.
• Headline Writing - 3 Secrets That Will Get Your Email Opened Immediately.

or even

• Headlines Top Today - Tips From The Experts to Stay On Top of the Day's Biggest News.

Step 4.  Once your headline is written, you can focus on the body copy.  Write your article first and then go back and place your keywords where they fit.  This will ensure that your article is informative and interesting, rather than jam packed with keywords that interrupt the flow of the copy.

If you can, try to work your main keyword into your first and last paragraph.  Also, if you're using a 'tips' type article you can use your main keyword or keyword phrase with each tip.

                            ex. Headline Writing Tip #1

                                 Headline Writing Step #1

 

It's quite simple really and while it doesn't work for every type of headline writing, it works quite well for articles and web pages.  By adding your keywords to your headline and separating them with a hyphen from the rest of your headline, your headline is both optimized and compelling to your reader. 

 

[Editor's Note (from Roger)]:

Annette offers email marketing and copywriting services on her site at AMB-Creative.com. I have used her services and she is truly a delight to work with. She provides terrific work, is always on time, and very prompt with any changes that you suggest. She gets my highest recommendation!