by UmiNoor

Created on: April 29, 2010

It’s no big secret that the title of your online article is the most important part of your article. It is the first thing that a reader would see when he stumbles upon your article. And based on reading your article title alone, he will decide whether to continue reading your article or to just hit the back button.

Therefore, it is important that your article title be attention-grabbing and will encourage the reader by arousing his curiosity to move on to reading your article. The reader must see the benefit from reading your article.

Your title must also summarize what is contained in your article. This way the reader can decide if your article provides the information that he is seeking.

The following are five ways you can write effective online article titles.

1. State a benefit.

State a benefit to the reader if he reads your article. Online article will only be successful if it’s about the reader and not about the writer. Write your title in a way to show how the reader would benefit from your article. For example :  Learn to swim in five easy steps or Learn French in two weeks.

2. Use visual words.

 Visual words help the reader picture the benefit that he will get from reading your article. For example : Paint like Michelangelo in three easy steps.

3. Use numbers and statistics.

Numbers and statistics can make your title more compelling. And readers will know what to expect from your article. If you write in your title that there are five ways to win a girl’s heart then the reader would expect to find five; not six, not four but five.

4. Make a big promise.

When you use this method, you must make sure to deliver on your promise or you’ll disappoint your reader. Your promise can be outlandish and outrageous but you must be able to fulfill it in your article. For example, Lose twenty pounds in twenty days or Learn to drive in one week. This type of titles is very often used as headlines to sales letters. If you’re able to make good on your promise, by all means use this type of titles.

5. Newsy title

People always want to know about the latest news, the latest technology, the latest gadgets and anything that is current in the news. Using this type of titles will make readers want to know about what’s new as nobody wants to be caught outside the loop. Imagine not knowing what the iPad is or that a celebrity just had plastic surgery. You’ll feel left out. Examples of newsy titles are Latest gadget from Apple or Five celebrities who are getting a divorce.

Learning how to write online article titles is important if you want your articles to get read as the title is what will make the reader decide if your article is worth his time to read.

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