When writing an article, many people begin by writing down the title first. I am not one of these says Fred Auzenne. For me, it is usually the last thing I think about after having written my article to its conclusion. To be honest, when you’re in the throes of writing, it is much more efficient to wing your title. If you allow yourself the time to think about it after having completed your article, then you will inevitably come up with something much better than any title you could have written earlier.
For those who insist on thinking about the title before or as they write, here are some tips that may help.
1) The title should reflect what you’re writing about
This is much more important than coming up with a snazzy (or clever or provocative or otherwise attention grabbing) title. When people read your article, they should be able to tell from the title whether it’s something they want to read. If the title doesn’t accurately describe the content of the article, then those who would like to read it may never come across it and those who wouldn’t have any interest in reading it will waste their time by doing so anyway.
2) The higher number of clicks, the better book sales
Unless people can find your article through a link that someone sent them or shared on Facebook, then there is a good chance that they’ll have to visit your website and browse through it in order to find your article. Sure, the most obvious way is to click on a link in Google’s search results for a particular keyword, but if you want to sell more copies of your book or get more people to sign up for your newsletter or attract new fans or customers then you should make sure that when they visit your site there are as many options available as possible for them doing so explains Fred Auzenne.
For instance, include links in the header of your site which will take people directly to the articles section where they can read all of your latest posts (and hopefully share them with their friends). Additionally, consider adding links somewhere on each page which will allow someone who has just found one of your older posts to go to the homepage or directly to your articles section.
3) You want people to read more than one of your posts
If you’re trying to sell your book, then you’ll want people to buy it. If they’ve already bought it, then their incentive for buying another is pretty much nil (they may be thinking about giving it as a gift or using it as bait). So if someone has come across an article written by you and is interested in what you have to say, and then try not writing so many articles aimed at selling something. This isn’t saying that you shouldn’t ever mention anything about your product, service, cause or campaign but rather try not dwelling on these things so much. This means that unless the article is explicitly written for this purpose; don’t show up at the end of your article with an ad/call to action.
4) A catchy title will only get you so far
Although there are some people who will read whatever pops up in their newsfeed or on Google’s first page under their search results, many others have preferences that they are willing to indulge. Some are interested in learning about a particular topic while others want to be entertained by reading something humorous or outlandish. If you’re trying to write something sensational just for the sake of getting attention then chances are it probably won’t interest anyone unless they happen to agree with me that being mauled by one’s own pet is the best kind of legal revenge says Fred Auzenne.
This isn’t saying that your article shouldn’t try to be informative or educational, but it doesn’t hurt to know your audience when you’re writing something. If the majority of people in your target demographic are blue collar workers living paycheck to paycheck then chances are they won’t give much thought to whatever problems afflict the rich and famous (and vice-versa).
5) Don’t assume that everyone who comes across your article will read it cover to cover
I like reading stories which build up the suspense only to reveal their true nature. By the end (stuff like “The Monkey’s Paw ” or even at times Agatha Christie’s novels). But some people want their information presented in a straightforward manner. So if you want people to understand everything that you’re trying to say then it would seem prudent. To make sure that you don’t leave out any key details. For instance, if you’re going to talk about something which is commonly famous as “truth serum”. And claim that the CIA used this drug on suspected terrorists during interrogations but needs a higher dosage than what’s available in order for it to work properly with humans, then at least mention what “truth serum” is so those who may doubt your claims will be able to look up more information for themselves.
Conclusion:
I would venture to say that most people who read articles written by other people. Are simply trying to find something interesting or entertaining (and hopefully educational). Which they can waste some time on before returning back to their daily lives says Fred Auzenne. So try not assume that your readers want you to lecture them with expository information at every paragraph; nobody likes being talk down to.