5 Ways to Hook Readers With Your Subheadings
1. Move from the general to the specific. As one whiskey maker put it, “Don’t be vague — ask for Haig.”
Example: Scenarios for Changing Trusts
Revised: How to Divide Trust Assets Fairly
Another way to clarify your subheadings (and improve SEO) is to use questions people ask from Google’s Instant or Answer box or Answer the Public.
Example: When Should You Decant a Trust?
Several subheadings in a long article can form a table of contents.
2. Keep count – In a study of 100 million article headlines by digital marketing experts BuzzSumo, the top two most engaging headlines began with a number.
Example: 7 Ways NOT to Win an Argument
3. Add benefits – Think of subheadings as part of the content that helps promote your piece throughout. Feature a different benefit in each subsection.
4. Get active – Through action verbs and persuasive wording, subheads can lead into a call-to-action.
Example: “Listen to music ad-free and offline, free until December 6, 2022. Cancel anytime.” (Spotify)
5. Use moderation – Explain, but not too much. Leave some mystery with simplicity.
Example: How Sears Keeps its Promise
Interested in repurposing or re-posting your existing content? Consider a makeover to help increase impressions.
How have you used subheadings effectively? Feel free to comment further below.
Quotes
“Subheadings are like signposts for your readers.” ~ Cinden Lester
“Write subheads that reveal, rather than conceal, your contents.” ~ Ann Wylie, Wylie Communications
Comments? Suggestions? Need help with your communications? Contact me.