Let’s be honest for a second.
We’ve all clicked on a headline thinking, “This is exactly what I need,” only to find ourselves reading fluff, nonsense, or a five-paragraph intro with no substance.
That, minha amiga, is clickbait.
And it’s exhausting — for readers, writers, and the internet as a whole.
But… do we still need strong, clickable headlines?
Absolutely.
Because no matter how brilliant your blog post is, if no one clicks, no one reads.
So the real question becomes:
How do you write headlines that attract attention, spark curiosity, and still deliver what they promise?
Let’s break it down step by step, with kindness, strategy, and a little storytelling soul.
What Makes a Headline “Work”?
A great headline does three things:
- Catches attention (even when someone is half-scrolling, half-distracted)
- Promises a benefit (what they’ll gain, learn, feel, or fix)
- Feels trustworthy (not gimmicky or exaggerated)
When you hit all three, you have a winner.
But let’s dig deeper.
1. Start With Emotion, Not Keywords
Yes, SEO matters — but emotion matters more.
A good headline speaks to a real feeling your reader is experiencing. Frustration. Curiosity. Doubt. Hope.
Instead of:
“How to Improve Your Productivity”
Try:
“Why You Can’t Focus Anymore — and What to Do About It”
Same topic. Different impact.
2. Tap Into Their Inner Dialogue
The best headlines echo what someone’s already thinking — but hasn’t said out loud.
Like:
- “I want to start a blog, but I have no idea where to begin.”
- “Everyone says write better content, but what does that even mean?”
- “I feel like I’m doing everything right… and still failing.”
So your headline becomes:
- “How to Start a Blog When You Have No Clue What You’re Doing”
- “Writing Better Blog Posts: A Guide That Finally Makes Sense”
- “You’re Doing Everything Right — But Still Not Growing? Let’s Fix That”
You’re not just giving information. You’re saying: “Hey, I see you.”
3. Use Specificity to Build Trust
Vague headlines are easy to ignore.
Clear, detailed ones feel real and actionable.
Compare:
- ❌ “Tips for Freelancers”
- ✅ “5 Client Red Flags Every Freelancer Should Spot Early”
Specific = believable = clickable.
4. Promise a Payoff — and Deliver It
Clickbait promises something huge and delivers nothing.
That’s not what we’re doing.
We want to make a promise — and honor it.
Great headlines do this:
- “How I Grew My Blog From 0 to 10K Readers Without Paying for Ads”
- “3 Copywriting Tricks I Learned From Selling Handmade Soaps at a Farmer’s Market”
These are both intriguing and trustworthy — because they sound like lived experience, not hype.
5. Use Power Words (Without Overkill)
Some words naturally increase curiosity or emotion:
- Secrets, mistakes, lessons, real, finally, proven, behind-the-scenes, easy, honest, surprising, powerful, tiny, unexpected.
Use them like seasoning. Enough to flavor. Not to overwhelm.
“The Tiny Habit That Made Me 3x More Productive (No Coffee Involved)”
6. Numbers Still Work — When They’re Honest
List posts work because they promise structure. People know what to expect.
But make sure your number isn’t arbitrary or inflated just to impress.
Good:
- 7 Simple Ways to Make Your Blog More Trustworthy
- 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting My First Online Business
Not-so-good:
- 89 Genius Hacks That Will Change Your Life Forever
(👀 Let’s be real… no one’s reading 89 things.)
7. Use Parentheses, Colons, or Dashes for Clarity
These little additions help format your headline like a conversation.
Examples:
- How I Overcame Writer’s Block — Without Forcing Myself to Write
- Freelance Burnout Is Real (And You Might Be Closer Than You Think)
- The Real Reason Your Blog Isn’t Growing: It’s Not About SEO
These tools let you add extra meaning without making the headline too long or confusing.
8. Try the “Fill-in-the-Blank” Trick
If you’re stuck, try completing this sentence:
“This blog post will help someone who wants to ______ but struggles with ______.”
Then turn it into a headline.
Example:
- Wants to start a business → struggles with fear →
→ “How to Start a Business When You’re Scared Out of Your Mind”
That’s a human headline. Not a robot one.
Headline Writing Is a Practice — Not a Gift
You don’t need to “be good at titles.”
You just need to practice.
Every time you write a post:
- Draft 5–10 headline options.
- Say them out loud.
- Pick the one that feels most like something you’d click.
And remember: your headline is a promise.
Make it honest. Make it kind. Make it human.
Headline Inspiration Swipe File: 10 Ideas to Steal and Adapt
Here are some headline formulas you can use, personalize, and play with:
- What No One Tells You About [Topic]
- [Number] Mistakes You Might Be Making With [Thing]
- The Real Reason Your [Problem] Isn’t Getting Better
- How I [Achieved Something] Without [Common Shortcut]
- Before You [Do the Thing], Read This
- A Simple Guide to [Outcome] (Even If You’re Starting Late)
- Why [Belief] Is Holding You Back — and What to Do Instead
- This Is What Finally Helped Me [Solve a Problem]
- I Tried [Unusual Thing] for 30 Days. Here’s What Changed.
- The One Thing I Wish I Knew About [Topic] Sooner
Bookmark these. Revisit them. Tweak and remix as your voice evolves.
Final Thoughts: Clicks Aren’t the Goal — Connection Is
Yes, we want people to click your headline.
But more than that, we want them to trust you.
Because a good headline doesn’t just earn attention.
It earns the right attention.
So next time you sit down to write one, don’t ask:
“What sounds clever?”
Ask:
“What does my reader need to feel — and how can I say it in a way that feels like I care?”
That’s the headline that gets clicked.
And more importantly? That’s the headline that gets remembered.