A headline acts as the first impression, the attention grabber, and the condensed essence of your entire story.
- A strong headline piques the reader’s interest and compels them to click or pick up the newspaper.
- Headlines act as a concise summary of the story’s core message and provide readers with a snapshot of the main point.
- Headlines play a crucial role in search engine optimization (SEO). Strategic keyword placement can improve the discoverability of your story by search engines, but this should NOT influence the content or direction of your story.
- Strive for clarity and conciseness.
- Utilize active voice and strong verbs to make your headline dynamic and engaging. Instead of “Beach Access Restricted,” say “New Law Restricts Public Beach Access.”
Headline Examples
- Intriguing Question — “Will Electric Vehicles Charge the Future of Transportation?”
- Benefit-Oriented — “Learn How to Invest Like a Pro: 5 Simple Strategies.”
- Urgency and Timeliness — “Breaking News: Major Tech Company Announces Groundbreaking Discovery.”
Making compelling and informative introductions helps your stories and their ability to capture readers’ attention to make an instant and lasting impression. One that’s well-written can invite readers to explore the in-depth content and engage with the information you have.