As a writer, crafting headlines is one of the most critical tasks to master to engage your audience and make your work stand out. However, many writers make the mistake of not taking headlines seriously and quickly put something together without thought, hurting their chances of drawing in potential readers.

In this blog, I am going to share some common mistakes you should avoid when writing headlines and provide some tips to help you create more eye-catching headlines that grab your audience’s attention.

🚫 Mistake #1: The Headline is Too Vague

Your headline should provide your audience with a brief description of what your article is about. A vague headline does not give any context and does not interest the reader. Writing a headline that is too generic or too broad will decrease the likelihood of the reader clicking on it.

Solution: Be more specific and give your readers a clear idea of what you will be discussing. Use numbers, questions or keywords to create a clear, descriptive and eye-catching headline.

A hand holding a magnet above a pile of headlines, picking out a headline that stands out with a clear image.

🚫 Mistake #2: Clickbait Headlines

Many writers are tempted to use clickbait to lure in audiences, but it can backfire. Clickbait comes across as dishonest and often misleading, leading to user frustration and ultimately a decrease in trust.

Solution: Create headlines that are appealing without resorting to clickbait. Avoid using overly exaggerated language that promises more than what can be delivered and make sure that the head and the content are aligned.

A person with a newspaper, reading an article with a misleading headline and looking disappointed.

🚫 Mistake #3: Poor Grammar and Typos

A headline that contains errors such as bad grammar or misspellings can make it less appealing to the reader. It makes the work look less professional and hinders the reader’s ability to take the work seriously.

Solution: Edit the headlines and make sure they are free of grammatical errors and typos to increase your credibility and professionalism.

A person correcting grammar mistakes on a headline.

🚫 Mistake #4: Not Considering SEO

If your headline is not optimized for SEO and does not contain relevant keywords, it will bury in search results pages, making it difficult for users to find it.

Solution: Consider using relevant and strategic keywords in your headline. Doing research and incorporating trending subjects and frequently searched topics will make the headline more visible on search engine result pages.

A magnifying glass with a search bar and a headline containing optimized SEO keywords.

🚫 Mistake #5: The Headline is Boring

The headline is the first impression of your article; It’s the first thing readers see. A boring headline means that the reader will lose interest, and the content may not get read, regardless of how original or compelling it might be.

Solution: Make sure your headline is exciting, relevant and unique. Make readers interested by using language that evokes curiosity or a sense of urgency.

An illustration of a headline with a boring font of "article" while multiple interesting headlines are flying around it.

In conclusion, writing a compelling headline takes practice, research and attention to detail. Avoiding the mistakes mentioned above will cause readers to take notice of your writing and engage with your content. Remember to provide context, avoid clickbait, proofread, optimize for SEO, and make your headline exciting.

Two hands clapping over a laptop on a desk displaying a successful headline.