Your headline is the most important piece of your copy. It’s the only text that most will read. It’s also the only thing drawing in the fraction of users seeking out your content with active interest. The best copy on the web will go untouched without headlines that stand out, so it’s worth making sure that you’re using some winning strategies to capture people’s attention.

1. Lists

Lists are probably some of the most pervasive content structures on the web. This is because most users are looking for quick answers that are easily digestible. Lists get to the point and they’re easy to sift through, so they’re a big hit with our short attention spans.

2. FOMO

“FOMO” (Fear Of Missing Out) is another term that made its entry into the lexicon along with “millennial” and “blogosphere.” With the relentless insight we’re granted into the apparent rich and exciting lives of others, many have been left with a fear that they’re… well, missing out.
Teasing the idea that your target audience is falling behind on current trends or dropping the ball on their potential is a great way to inspire interest in an online landscape saturated with social media.

3. Industry Secrets

The professional extension of FOMO appears in the form of industry secrets, breakthrough studies, and new data. It turns out that one of the secrets to being interesting is actually being interesting. If you have something new to bring to the table, put it front line and center with your headline.

4. Headlines that Deliver

This can’t be stressed enough. Your headline needs to reflect the content of your copy. Nothing irks users more than clicking a link that leads to a roundabout fluff piece chock full of ads. More importantly, current SEO algorithms rate sites based on relevancy. In other words, your organic search rankings are going to suffer if you mislead users.