It doesn’t matter how much time, love and effort you put into a blog post, how beautifully articulate your words or how exquisite your photos are if nobody wants to read it. And the thing that makes someone want to stop scrolling through Twitter or Pinterest and click on your blog post? The title. The title’s job is to get people’s attention, so if your title isn’t doing it’s job, you could be losing out on a TON of views. So let’s talk catchy blog post titles.
Photo by Ella Jardim on Unsplash
We are bombarded with new content on our feeds every single day. Thousands and thousands of posts people are putting out onto the internet, all competing for our attention.
So, what makes catchy blog post titles?
Well, lots of things can make a catchy blog post title. “My Dog Saved My Grandma From Drowning in the Bath With Aubergine” is kinda catchy and might make me wanna click through to read about the good boy who saved a Grandma. When it comes to blogging, there are LOADS of ways to create catchy blog post titles. So let’s look at some of the different ways we can grab readers attention with our titles:
No clickbait!
Let’s just get this out of the way, first and foremost. Nobody likes clickbait. Not a damn soul. Luckily, I think clickbait is something you see MUCH more on YouTube than you do in blog post titles (and I can instantly think of a certain famous YouTube family who love their clickbaity titles) but if you’re known to clickbait, chances are, you’ll be losing views from it because readers already know not to expect what you’re offering in the title.
Numbers make catchy blog post titles
We love a number over here on Jenny in Neverland. Not only are numbers a great way to structure a blog post and make it easier on the reader to digest, they’re also GREAT for titles. Numbers can be used in catchy blog post titles in a variety of ways:
How To ___ In (X) Different Ways
(X) Ways To ___
are two obvious examples and using numbers in a different way in your blog post titles will also stop your titles getting too repetitive. The above examples could easily be used for the same blog post. For example, “How To Grow Your Blog Following in 10 Different Ways” or “10 Ways To Grow Your Blog Following”. It just gives you a bit of range when it comes to creating your titles.
How to blog posts
How To blog posts are great because they offer helpful advice that someone has likely purposely searched for. Your How To posts also have to give what is promised to the reader. For example, you can’t title a blog post, “how to make money blogging” without giving the reader any solid advice on how to make money blogging.
Related reads:
Most of us have Google “How to ___” in the past. So we all already know the need for these sort of blog posts is there. It’s just about executing them to the highest standard – title included. You could write the most AMAZING blog post on “How To Bake The Perfect Lemon Cheesecake” but if it doesn’t specify in the title then you’re missing out on a huge audience.
Again with the numbers posts, how to post titles can obviously get a bit repetitive so you might need to get a bit creative with your “how to” catchy blog post titles. Instead, try variations of these:
How To ___ In (X) Easy Steps
How To ___ Effortlessly
How to create catchy blog post titles continued:
Use a list in your catchy blog post title
A list post will ALWAYS generate a decent amount of traffic. Going back to the point about numbers, a list post is very likely to have a number in the title which tells the reader 2 things before they even CLICK on your post:
- It will be an easy post to digest – they already know they’re not going to be bombarded with huge chunks of text which has been proven to put people off reading a whole blog post
- Readers know that it won’t be time consuming because with list posts, they’re easy to skim over and only focus on the points you’re actually interested in
A list can be anything but again, we still need a catchy blog post title to make people want to CLICK on your list. For example, a list post about different herbs to use in cooking could be quite an interesting, helpful and informative blog post but “7 herbs to use” isn’t a title that’ll make people think it’s worth reading. Whereas:
“The Ultimate List of Herbs to Use In Your Cooking This Summer”
“7 Exciting Herbs To Use In Your Cooking That’ll Make Your Dinner Guests Beg For More!”
…are definitely more clickable titles. Both of these examples are different in that one of them states very clearly that “this is a list” and the other just provides a number of the amount of points readers can expect in the list. As we know, numbers always work well in blog post titles but so does the language you use. Which brings me onto…
Use words that make them want to click
The language you use in your blog post titles is really important too. I’m sure we’ve ALL come across a blog post before that has the most boring as sin title and it instantly puts you off wanting to read it. But some blog post topics ARE hard to think of titles for. Especially eye-catching titles.
For example, my post called A Beginners Guide To Broken Links was really hard to think of an exciting title for because let’s be honest, broken links are NOT an exciting topic. So sometimes, you’ve just got to work with what you’ve got. I added the word, “beginner” to that title so readers would know although it might not necessarily be an exciting post, at least it will be helpful and easy to digest as it’s “beginner friendly”. See what Imean?
The language you use can have a seriously negative or positive impact:
“Summer Trends”
or
“5 Trends For This Summer That Are Going Straight On Your Wish List!”
It really is as simple as that sometimes. Words that do well in catchy blog post titles include: Effortless, Easy, Powerful, Free, Shocking, Brilliant, Exciting, Ultimate, Simple, Effective – you get the gist. But when using these words in your blog post titles, make sure you don’t end up over-exaggerating. Because then we’re back to point #1.
Create a sense of urgency
This is a good trick to creating catchy blog post titles that will DEFINITELY get you more clicks and traffic through to your blog. Creating a sense of urgency will encourage readers to click because they don’t want to miss out on the advice within the post. Nobody wants to be the last one to know something, do they? Some examples of blog post titles that create this sense of urgency would be:
(X) Things You Need To Know About ___ Today!
(X) Ways You’re Not ___
Why You Need To ___ Immediately!
(X) ___ You’re Missing Out On
A lot of these examples combine a variation of the points made on what makes a catchy blog post title. Numbers can go hand in hand with lists, which can also go hand in hand with how to blog posts as well. All of which can include effective, clickable language to encourage readers to stop by your blog post.
Creating catchy blog post titles can also be a case of trial and error – seeing which style titles works best for your readers and audience and seeing what they react to. But at the end of the day, the title is the first thing ANYONE will see – so it’s important you pay just as much attention to your titles as you do to the rest of your blog content!
Which blog post titles attract your attention? Do you have any other tips for generating perfect catchy blog post titles?
Related reads:
Good advice, I’ll definitely put it to use! Keep up the good work Jenny !!
It might be time for me to revist past blog posts and spruce up the titles! Great post with solid advice!!
Thanks for the tips! So apprecitated.
You’re welcome!
[…] catchy blog post title can have a huge impact on your views. So along with the selling your blog post point at the start, […]
Great post! I definitely need to work on improving my blog post titles
Thank you 🙂
Great post, and really helpful! I’m looking forward to putting your advice into practice!
Glad you found this helpful!
Really useful…will work on my titles! Thanks
You’re welcome!
Ah this is so helpful!! Thank you Jenny!
You’re welcome!
Wonderful post 🙂 I have nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award
https://iserendip.com/2020/07/03/the-sunshine-blogger-award/
If you decide to accept the nomination, please share a link to your post in the comments section. I would love to check-out your answers.
Thank you 🙂
This was so so helpful! Thankyou!
You’re welcome!
I’m terrible at titles, so this super helpful! I’m definitely going to bookmark this and come back to it whenever I’m struggling. Thanks for sharing xx
Hannah | https://luxuryblush.co.uk/
Hope it helps!
wow you are great thank you…..I made my blog in summer 2018: please take a look at my blog
[…] Headline is everything. It’s the one thing that stands between your visitors and your website. On social, the headline is usually the deciding factor before someone clicks through, and in Google search, it’s the main thing that stands out (2). […]
Thanks for these advices! I definitely need to use more “How To” in my titles!
Yesss!
That was a good advice.
Thank you
Wow great tips, thank you so much! I’ll definitely be using some of the title templates for my future posts
Great tips!
Helped me out with my blog, Capable Chloe’s Thoughts.
This is great advice! I’ll definitely be implementing a few of these ideas in my next blog posts :). Thank you for sharing!
You’re welcome! x
I find titling my posts by far the trickiest part of writing a blog post. I’m incapable of being succinct (as I’m sure you know). So this is incredibly helpful, thank you Jenny!
You’re welcome!
Thank you!
Some great advice there, I’ll definitely be taking it onboard. Thanks for sharing Jenny!
You’re welcome!
These are all such great ideas for catchy blog post titles. I always struggle with coming up with mine!
Glad this helped!
Thanks for this Jenny! Blog titles are something I’ve always struggled with – especially trying to make them not only click worthy but also good for SEO. So this will definitely come in handy.
It’s definitely a tricky thing to hit!
Love, love, love this! All such good points, and clickbaiting is the worst!! I’ve recently started paying blogging tips and advice, and have definitely found that they’re the most popular posts! Steff x
Clickbait should be illegal haha!
Really enjoyed reading this – such a useful post x
Thank you x
Great tips! I also find myself using numbers, how to or creating a sense of urgency as they tend to work best for the types of posts I write.
Lauren | https://www.laurenyloves.co.uk/
Thank you 🙂 x
Love this! I never really think of SEO when it comes to blog post titles which is terrible (I know). I want all of my blog posts to sound kind of like a diary entry I suppose, which is why my titles are never too catchy. I’m definitely trying to make some changes in future though and have included writing number titles recently as well. Thanks again for the advice Jenny x
Kate | thelittlecrunch.co.uk
Finding that balance between SEO and a catchy title is hard but not impossible!
I am loving this post – I’ve come back to it about three times already! Love that you’re always about helping bloggers do the best that they can!
Rosie
xxx
Ah yay glad you found it helpful!
I love these tips! I will definitely try to incorporate more numbers in my blog post!
Demi | http://demibang.com/
Glad you found this helpful!
Excellent tips! Also these titles also work beautifully on Pinterest!
Oh yeah absolutely!
I struggle so much with titles that are going to rank well while still being catchy enough to make people want to click. It’s tricky for recipes x
Sophie
It’s a hard balance to hit I agree!
Titles are always something I struggle with so this is so helpful! I totally agree numbers are great in titles so I try to add them in when I can xx
Tiffany x http://www.foodandotherloves.co.uk
Thank you 😌 titles are a nuisance!
This post is what I was searching since long and finally found. Great work, Jenny. I subscribed because don’t want to miss your future posts.
Really enjoyed reading this! It gave me lots of ideas and lots of posts now sat in my drafts
Glad to hear it!
woah i never even realised how important a good title could be….. nor did i realise how good numbers are! I don’t know why i never thought to add some kind of number to my titles before, thanks so much for these tips I’m definitely going to be putting more thought into my titles from now on! x
Glad this was helpful for you!
Thanks loved this
Thank you so much, this post is super helpful. Lately I have been struggling with titles for my blog post. Thank you 💜
Glad you found it helpful!
This was really helpful! I sometimes struggle to think of a suitable title, I get there in the end but will be referring back to this post for sure!
http://www.ellacharlottejones.co.uk
Hope it comes in handy!
Hope it helps!
This was such an interesting post to read because I’m always really looking into my titles to make sure that they are good for the post to help it’s SEO. Thanks for sharing Jenny x
It’s sometimes hard to get that balance between catchy and SEO friendly!
Really good tips! This was something that I took a while to really focus on, but my traffic has definitely increased since I tailored my titles. As a reader I gravitate towards articles that contain a number (it helps me deduce how much info is in the post and whether it’s what I need) and also words and phrases like “easy” and “in less than X minutes” (if a tutorial).
I think it’s a good rule of thumb to think if YOU gravitate more towards those sort of titles then chances are, many others do too!
Gosh this was so handy! Having catchy titles is something that I admit that I’m not the best out, so this was really helpful. I’m going to be going back through my old posts and changing them now – so thanks so much for that boost!
You’re welcome honey! Glad this came in useful!
Such a beneficial article to read! I actually try to think of 3-5 titles for each blog post I write. That way I have a catchy title on my blog itself, the SEO title that appears on Google is just as intriguing, and each of my Pinterest hero photos get their own interesting headline! I use the CoSchedule Headline Analyzer to help me create my headlines, and then test them on Pinterest. It’s been great to see traffic explode just from those small changes. Love your post here!!
That’s a fab idea! It’s sometimes hard to make things catchy and SEO friendly at the same time so this is a great option!
Thank you so much for this post ! Creating blog post titles can be really difficult and your advice is super useful ! 😊
Glad you think so!
Saying what it is, I find, is a great way for me to figure out a basic title and go from there. I do not find myself clicking on short titles more then long titles; I just like an interesting title. What follows after the title also means a lot to me; I do not appreciate false claims and love it when a post lives up to its title. 🙂
I suppose it’s a bit different for you as your posts are mostly poetry!
Quite so, but I love reading lifestyle and blogging posts, and titles mean a lot there. 🙂
Great post!! I agree with you that posts with numbers do well. Creating a sense of urgency is a great tip!!
Thank you 🙂 x
I try to make punny titles. It doesn’t always happen, but when it does, it’s magical. 🌈🦄
Haha that’s a great idea!
Hi! Very useful article and really nice blog. I’m glad that I ran in to you 🙂
Thank you 🙂
These are some brilliant ways to get more traffic with a catchy title! I need to do this more often.
Mel 🌙 | http://www.moonlightmel.co.uk
Thank you 🙂 x
I’m rubbish with titles. I’m the same with email subject lines, which is awkward as I need to think of them for work! Mainly posting book reviews means I get lazy, so when I do a different style piece, I never have a clue what to call it. Some great tips here – thanks!
Mailing list subjects I struggle with too! I’m just like “read this” haha! xD
Sometimes creating a title can really be the hardest part of a post! I agree – no clickbait!!! But as you say, it’s not so common in the blogging world thankfully. Some fab tips here! X
I agree! Yeah I rarely read a clickbaity post in the blogging world. YouTube is a different story!
This is so helpful, I used to be terrible as blog titles and wonder why no one wanted to read “Bucket List: *insert location here*. nothing beats a good list!
Ash | thisdreamsalive
Haha! They’re so easy to overlook. I bloody love a list! A list is always a guaranteed read for me!
Great tips! I find that I am drawn to titles that tell me that I’m going to get the information in an easy to follow and apply way – how to/tutorials and lists (usually indicated with numbers) always catch my eye first.
I totally agree and I’m the same. I want the information quickly and easily digestible!
Thank you so much for sharing this post. It is extremely helpful! I will definitely try some of your suggestions.
Glad you find it helpful 🙂
This was really handy because I always struggle with catchy titles for my blog posts because I don’t want to make them too long winded! I’ll definitely be coming back to this post! X
Hope this helps! x
The fact that I do post titles with numbers and lists means I’m doing something right! xD I’ve yet to explode on a post but people seem to enjoy regardless!
Daisy xoxo | TheDeeWhoLived
That’s the main thing! 🙂
I always find that How To Titles attract the most attention and I’m deffo gonna try adding numbers into my titles xx
Yes definitely. Adding numbers into your how to posts is even better!
I struggle with titles so much! But going with one of the tactics you just listed has helped me so much. Keeping it simple but interesting is the challenge, and I hope I’m finally starting to get the hang of it. xx
Simple and interesting is a hard balance to hit but when you do it REALLY works!
Loving the tips on this, super helpful for Pinterest too! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Anika | chaptersofmay.com
Yes definitely works on Pinterest too!
This is super helpful! I always struggle with coming up with titles for my posts and end up changing it about 8 times! Thanks for the tips! ❤️
Haha oh no! Hope these tips help!
Funnily enough, titles is what I actually contemplate on every time. Is it too short? Too long? Does it make sense? Does it fit with the overall page? But sometimes it’s as simple as naming the recipe but defo needs to catch the readers eye!
Jessica & James | http://www.foodandbaker.co.uk
Agree! It’s hard to find that balance and not make your titles too long! I think around 9 words is a good maximum to stick to!
I find a How to or a 10 things post always really popular and are the sort of posts I would click on. Also any with the word banging in as you know 😉
Haha OBVIOUSLY. Maybe I should stick that word in the title of all my posts xD
I always struggle with blog titles for my blog but I have been trying to make my titles a little more catchy. Really interesting post x
Thank you x
It’s like you read my mind when you decided to write this post! I’ve been experimenting with my blog titles using numbers and Easy, Ultimate, How to recently. While I wouldn’t describe my titles as catchy (in my dreams) I do think they’re definitely more helpful in terms of encouraging people to click through. Which, as you say, is what it’s all about. I’ve also been trying to do more keyword research because that sometimes throws up useful blog titles based on what people are searching for. Great post, Jenny, super helpful as always! xxxx
When I say catchy, what I really mean is those titles like you suggested which will make people click. Not necessarily something super duper interesting! So sounds like you’re doing really well with the ol’ titles! 🙂 Keyword research is fab for getting title ideas, I agree!
I love these! I’ve never really put too much thought into my post titles but I might have to start! I agree that everyone hates clickbait, but like you say, it’s more common on YouTube than blogs xx
Holly | http://www.gollymissholly.uk
Definitely is more on YouTube. It’s SO annoying!
Oh these are all such great ideas! I need to implement this more and work on creating more catchier blog post titles for sure. Thanks so much for sharing!
You’re welcome – hope this helps!
This is such an informative post, thank you! Firstly I like how you went into detail with each point and elaborated with examples. And you’re spot on with ‘the language you use can have a seriously negative or positive impact.’ Personally I really struggle with blog titles – finding that balance between catchy and informative. I’ll definitely be returning to this for reference.
John | http://themaverickjohn.com/
Thank you for your kind comment. Hope this helps!
Love these Jenny! I often struggle with blog posts title that are catchy and that are short enough to draw in the audience so gonna take some inspo! x
Hope this helps!
Great title ideas for list posts. We’ll keep these in mind for our next one.
Thank you 🙂
Some great advice here Jenny! I’m always drawn to read posts which have a catchy and ‘jump out at you from the screen’ sort of title (if that makes sense!) x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Yes makes total sense!
Great advice! I’m writing a post right now about divorce and I think I could change up the title from “the truth about divorce” to “The truths about divorce no one wants to talk about.” (That’s just a lot harder to work into the post for SEO!)
Numbered post titles do well on my blog!
Tonyalee @ http://Vivaciousbibliophile.com
Yes that’s a great example! I love that idea 🙂 Your keyword could still be “the truth about divorce” though 🙂 x
These are brilliant ideas, thanks for sharing your suggestions Jenny! The sense of urgency is such a great tip, I can imagine people would be more inclined to click on the post straight away. I know I’m likely to read posts with ‘easy and effortlessly’ in the title too. Thanks for sharing, the template is super helpful, will remember these tips for future posts! <3 xx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
Easy and effortlessly are great words to use because everyone wants to do something easily! I don’t think you’d want a “Really Difficult Ways To X” post haha! xxx
I will have to use some of these tips x
It’s so true! Language, and and wording is so powerful! It’s awesome that this is being addressed
It really is 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your advice, its given me some great inspiration! Happy Easter!
Becca / beccajayeblogs.wordpress.com
Thank you 🙂 Happy Easter!
There are some really good tips in here, will definitely have to use these!
Hope they help!
These are all great ideas – I love the create a sense of urgency one!
Thank you 🙂 That’s a great one!
This is such a helpful post! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you 🙂 x
Thanks Jenny! This post has been really useful for me as I always struggle with how to Title my blog posts. Some brilliant tips that I’ll start implementing ASAP!
Tori – ohsot.co.uk
Hope they help!
Really helpful post. Post titles, and blog posts that involve, numbers and lists etc is something o want to branch out into now, thanks 😊
Thank you !
The tips are great on this one!
Thank you 🙂
This blog post came at the right time for me as I honestly felt like my blog post titles have been getting stale, even if they are eye catching. I definitely now have some title ideas now and have somewhere to turn to for inspiration when I need it again 😉 Thanks Jenny!
Johnny | Johnny’s Traventures
https://johnnystraventures.com
Glad this came in handy!
Great tips 👍
Thank you 🙂
Welcome 😊
Love this post! I find it so difficult to com up with a catchy title for my posts and find that the hardest part of writing a post.
Abigail | http://www.chatwithabigurumi.com
I agree!
I agree, definitely one of the hardest parts!
Great tips! Thank you
You’re welcome!
Thanks so much for sharing Jenny! This is super helpful, now I feel ready to write some catchy blog post titles!! Xx
Yay! Glad to hear it!
Love this advice! Thank you for putting this together 🙂 must say that the blog titles is what i often struggle with – either because of the topic or i try not to be repetitive. I’ll use your tips in the future! x
Thank you 🙂 Hope this helps!