How to Write Blog Titles That Get Clicked and Read Every Time

With that in mind, let's rewrite the title from the previous example. Take a look at this...

ORIGINAL: How To Lose Weight

UPDATED: How To Lose 5 Pounds In 2 Weeks (Even If You've Failed Before)

That's better.

It offers a specific benefit (losing 5 pounds) with a specific time frame (2 weeks) and addresses a common objective (even if you've failed before). That's going to get a much better response, whether it's a free blog post or a lesson from a paid course.

The Importance of Integrity in Your Titles

This is a good time for me to mention the need for integrity in crafting titles. Resist the rather common practice of creating "clickbait" titles that are misleading and sensationalized. While this may result in some immediate gains, you will lose in the end. That. Is. Guaranteed.

Share benefits and make promises in your titles that your content genuinely delivers. This is what will make a difference in the lives of other people, which is what will make a difference in them doing business with you.

The 3-Step P.O.P. System for Writing Blog Titles

Now, the question is, how do you create your own titles, get interest and get read? Answer: you use the following three-step system for creating titles that P.O.P. off the page...

Pinpoint the Benefit
Obtain Examples
Polish the Title

Let's take a closer look...

Step One: Pinpoint the Benefit

The first thing you need to do is figure out the big benefit of your piece of content. You're going to want to mention at least the biggest benefit in your title, if not the top two or perhaps even the top three benefits.

Here's an example that I'm sure you recognize: "How to Win Friends and Influence People." This book title is simple, yet highly effective, because it pushes two big benefits front and center to attract attention and get people interested in reading the content. You know from reading the title what the benefits are, and the title is strong without being hype-ish or spammy.

Ask yourself these questions:

What does your content do for the reader? Identify the biggest benefit to the individual on the other end who might read your content piece.
What sort of outcome can your readers expect if they apply what you teach in your content? It's not just what they will learn that is important, but what they can achieve by acting on what they learn.
What specific problem will your content help others solve, what goal will it help others reach or what interest will it help others enjoy? Remember, your content is the bridge that helps the reader go from where they are now to where they want to be.

Another way to think about how to pinpoint the benefit is this...

A good rule of thumb is to think of your title as an expression of your thesis statement.

In other words, the main purpose or main point of your content piece should be the main thing you communicate in your title. In one sentence, what is your piece of content about? The answer should be the focus of your title.

Here's the next step...

Step Two: Obtain Examples

Once you know the one or two big benefits that you want to present in your headline, then your next step is to do some research. What I like to do is research titles that aren't in my niche, and then adapt the titles that get my attention to fit my particular piece of content.

What you'll want to do is start compiling a swipe file. When you read blogs, social media posts, email newsletters and other content, put any titles that catch your attention into a file. You can then refer to this file later to create your own titles.

Let's suppose you're writing an article on raising children. Perhaps you like the title of the lesson that you are currently reading, "The Golden Rule For Getting Read (Pssst. It Just Worked On You)." All you have to do is adapt that to your niche: "The Golden Rule For Parenting A Stubborn Child (Pssst. It's Easier Than You Think)."

Do you see how that works?

Just be sure to get ideas from outside your niche and don't violate someone's trademarked title. (IE Don't write something entitled, "Chicken Soup For The College Lacrosse Player's Soul")

Speed Up Your Swipe File Creation

While you're waiting to build your own swipe file over time by compiling titles that get your attention, you can speed up the process right now by searching Google in the following two ways...

Search for titles in other niches. Simply query Google.com for articles and blog posts in virtually any niche other than your own. Example: "weight loss articles". Scroll through a few pages of entries in the returned listings and you should find plenty of inspiration.
Search for title templates. Simply query Google.com for "blog post title templates" and similar phrases. You'll find a bazillion of them (yes, I counted ????), but choose only the "best of the best" that truly catch your own attention to include in your swipe file.

And finally...

Step Three: Polish the Title

Time for a final polish. What you'll want to do now is go over your title once more to be sure you're highlighting the biggest benefit, the achievable outcome. Tweak that title a few more times to get to that point, and you'll be golden.

Hint: Use Thesaurus.com to replace existing words with those that are more unique or sound better when saying the title out loud.

One more thing...

It is especially good if you can use language that speaks to your specific audience.

E.G., "The 3-Step System For Ultramarathon Training" may become "The 3-Step System For Avoiding A DNF And Setting A PR At Your Next Ultra."

Putting It All Together

There you have it, the "golden rule to getting read." It's not enough to create a valuable, useful piece of content that will make a genuine difference in the life of the person on the other end who consumes it. You must also craft an engaging title that convinces her to give your content a closer look and actually consume it.

Next up is...

Your Next Step

Your assignment for this lesson is to create a title for a piece of content you've recently completed or one that you're going to be writing soon. Complete these steps:

Pinpoint the Benefit. What benefits do you want to convey in your title?
Obtain Examples. If you don't yet have a swipe file, now is the time to get started. Speed up the process by searching Google as mentioned in this lesson.
Polish the Title. Go through your title and tweak it as needed one last time to be sure it's as compelling as possible.

Go ahead and work on these three steps to make your title P.O.P., and then I'll see you in the next lesson...

1 Comment

Common Questions About Writing Blog Titles

What is the P.O.P. system for writing blog titles?

The P.O.P. system is a three-step process for creating compelling blog titles: Pinpoint the Benefit (identify the main outcome for readers), Obtain Examples (research and build a swipe file of effective titles), and Polish the Title (refine your headline to highlight benefits and speak to your specific audience). This systematic approach helps ensure your titles capture attention and drive clicks.

How do you pinpoint the benefit for a blog title?

To pinpoint the benefit, ask yourself three key questions: What does your content do for the reader? What outcome can readers expect if they apply what you teach? What specific problem will your content help solve or what goal will it help them reach? Think of your title as an expression of your thesis statement—the main purpose of your content should be the main thing you communicate in your title.

Should I use clickbait tactics when writing blog titles?

No, you should avoid clickbait titles that are misleading and sensationalized. While clickbait may result in some immediate gains, you will lose in the long run. Instead, share benefits and make promises in your titles that your content genuinely delivers. This approach makes a real difference in readers' lives, which ultimately makes a difference in them doing business with you.

1 Comment

Jack Duncan
What tips do you have for writing blog titles, or what is your best blog title to date?
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