Have you ever researched how to write an effective headline? I am sure you could write a blog just on this topic alone. A headline must convey to the reader, in a few words, the specifics of the post. It is definitely a skill that must be learnt and developed, but who has time?
Headlines take time
And so they should. Headlines are the first message portrayed to your reader. But when you are starting off a blog, and also juggling school, family and work commitments, it is time you just don’t have. Just like everything in life, you need a balance. Take a look at your old blog posts. I am sure some were carefully crafted, while others were furiously typed minutes before running out the door.
There needs to be a quicker way.
Suggestion 1: The Swipe File
A swipe file is a list of great blog titles you see. The beauty of this strategy is that the titles have already been tested, just by someone else. As an example, here are some titles from Teenius that I could change to suit my blog.
Tips for a Unique Design – Tips for a Unique Assignment
How to find the time to blog – How to find the time to study.
The Swipe File is great tool. I certainly have a growing number of ideas I can use for future posts. My Swipe File contains examples for each of the 8 types of Headlines. These headlines are from “The Copywriter’s Handbook” by Bob Blyth. Examples of these types and how they apply to my niche are:
- Direct Headlines: Create an Exam Planner.
- Indirect Headlines: A Base Camp will save your life.
- News Headlines: Google Chrome: Benefits for students.
- How to Headlines: How to organize your assignments
- Question Headlines: What are some fun ways to study?
- Command Headlines: Do that homework now
- Reason Why Headlines: 3 effective ways to complete homework quickly and efficiently
- Testimonial: 8 out of 10 readers say the Study System is awesome.
The Swipe File means you will always have suitable headlines ready. My concern, though, is that the headlines don’t help convey the message I want to send to my teenage audience, or use vocabulary they would use in a search engine.
Suggestion 2: Yahoo Answers – Your up to date, current Swipe File
Have you heard of Yahoo Answers? It is the place to go to get your answer from the general public. Currently there are 26 different categories with questions in any topic, or blog niche imaginable. It is also the place where I go to find blog topics, search out language used and even find specific questions to use on weekly post Study Answers.
I use Yahoo Answers in 3 Ways.
• To learn my audience’s vocabulary
By spending time at this site I have found that students regularly use the word ‘stuff’. By putting this one word into my blog posts, I have now been found through search engines using the following phrases:
- Study skills find computer stuff (4 times)
- Fun study stuff (3 times)
- How to organise all your stuff (2 times)
• To find current blog topics and key phrases for Headlines.
I live in Australia. Currently we are at the end of our 3rd term. End of year is fast approaching. However, the Northern Hemisphere is just starting school. By reading Yahoo Answers I was able to find current concerns of my intended audience, and was able to craft suitable blog articles such as:
- Back to School:
- School Supplies Closet
- How can I have a great first day at school?
• To find Question Headlines that I use now
I have a weekly column called Study Answers. It is the easiest post I write. I head over to Yahoo Answers, find a question that I can answer and then write it up as a post. Again, these questions have all lead to rich keyword titles.
Final Word of Advice
This post has been about how Yahoo Answers can help you with your writing. Once you check out the site, you will see plenty of opportunity to write a quick answer and link them to your blog. Be careful. Read the community guidelines posted by Yahoo. Whilst it is allowed, be careful not to SPAM.
This guest post is written by Ainslie Hunter aka the Study Skills Mentor. If you know of anyone who needs help with homework, assignments and exams then tell them to check out her site. You will also find examples of how Ainslie uses Yahoo Answers in her weekly column “Study Answers“. If generous, you can also vote for Study Skills Mentor over at Fresh eVenture for Best Wordpress Design, 2009.
This is the first time I’ve heard of anyone use Yahoo! answers as a keyword research place. Ingenious! I hope many other young entrepreneurs could devise that kind of skill.
Yeah, it’s a really innovative idea in a very well written article… well done Ainslie!
Yahoo Answers is good for many things!
I actually wrote about this in May 2008 on my original blog:
http://www.protycoon.com/2008/05/22/yahoo-answers-to-build-traffic/
There is alot that Y.Answers can be used for!
This is a really really nice tip. Thanks for sharing this. When I am searching for some topics I sometimes get yahoo! results on the first google page. Never thought about to use this topics to create more traffic.
Hi Liane and Volksphone: I am glad you enjoyed my post. It has certainly proved to be an effective strategy with me, especailly for young blog sites who are starting out.
Great tips up there,
One can easily bookmarked this post and use it when going through Writers Block period. There are some really great ideas that you share above by you
-Shanker Bakshi
Headlines are a summary of the content and so it should be effective and impressive. Headlines are quite important for any writer.
Very valuable tips. I had bookmarked this page. I am very much concern with view of blackjack rules. Headlines are the summary of the content.
thanks for the tips, i am always go to yahoo answer whenever i have no content to write as a blog and it is very effective to find many idea there.
Hi blackjack rules and kamal.
I certainly agree that headlines are important, but that doesn’t mean they always have to be difficult to create. And my idea suggests an easy way to come up with headlines. It isn’t the only way to create headlines though.
I like this method as when I have done it in the past I have found you sometimes hit upon a keyphrase that is being searched quite a lot but is not showing up in any keyword tools.
Great post Teenius.
Great ideas for people of any age. I like your swipe file idea and that Yahoo Answers acts as your instant swipe file. Furthermore, understanding how your target uses language and what appeals to them is crucial when trying to attract their attention (and money).
Wow amazing article, i never knew yahoo answers can be so useful
Pretty informative.. Wondering didn’t I read it earlier
Great advice. Checking Yahoo Answers is a great way to find what people are searching for. I always go to yahoo answers as an early stage of my keyword research. It also helps to ensure that there is a niche…if there’s no one searching…move on to a new niche.
In practical these tips are really very good. I have experience with these.
If you don’t mind i would like to say one thing that your speed of updating the site gradually getting slow down. Plz consider on it.
Pls consider on what black jack say its getting slow down, And we are looking for another update.
Yeah, sorry about the wait guys.
I’ve recently started college so have been really busy, but I’ll try and get something up ASAP.
Headlines are what pulls people in. With a strong headline and content to back it up, the possibilities are endless.
Hey Simon,
Great post and an innovative idea about using Yahoo answers. Though I have been very active (Level 3 or 4) on Yahoo answers in the past, I haven’t thought about the research angle to it in terms of the phrases people use in queries.
Cheers!
Ajith
PS: Your theme banner is awesome!
This is a great idea. Takes all of the guesswork out of it and gives you are formula for catchy titles every time.
I never used yahoo answers in the past but I think i will use it now. Thanks for the post
A new idea that I not heard of.. Gonna try it.
Actually i only use Yahoo answer to build backlink (although Yahoo Answers turns to noofollow now). I never think that Yahoo answer can be used as a media to research headline title. What a brilliant idea? You have a great guest post here Teenius.
Good tip indeed. I’m using Yahoo Answer for many reasons but never thought of using it the way you mention here (although I’m at Level 4 for now). Thanks again.
[...] them some great tips, then check out Teenius. Simon has a wealth of knowledge, and some awesome guest bloggers! (is that me that I linked to, how did that [...]