How to Write Eye-Catching Headlines That Get Clicks
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How to Write Eye-Catching Headlines That Get Clicks
Your headline determines everything. Most readers never get past it.
This guide gives you the psychology, formulas, and 100+ examples you can use today.
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The Psychology of Great Headlines
1. Curiosity Gap
The brain hates incomplete information. Open a loop, readers need closure.
Examples:
- "The One Thing Successful People Never Do"
- "Why Most Businesses Fail at Social Media"
- "The Mistake Costing You Followers"
2. Specific Numbers
Numbers signal concrete value. They make content feel digestible.
Odd numbers outperform even numbers.
3. Loss Aversion
People fear losing more than they desire gaining.
4. Self-Interest
Every reader asks "What's in it for me?"
Which headline is most likely to get clicks?
8 Proven Headline Formulas
Formula 1: Number + Adjective + Noun + Promise
[Number] + [Adjective] + [Noun] + [Promise]
Examples:
- 7 Simple Ways to Double Your Engagement
- 15 Proven Strategies for Growing Followers Fast
- 5 Quick Fixes for Boring Content
Formula 2: How to + Outcome
How to [Achieve Outcome] + [Without Pain/Condition]
Examples:
- How to Get More Followers Without Posting Daily
- How to Write Faster Without Sacrificing Quality
- How to Grow on LinkedIn in 30 Minutes a Day
Formula 3: Question
[Question target audience asks themselves]?
Examples:
- Why Isn't Anyone Engaging With Your Posts?
- Is Your Content Strategy Actually Working?
- Are You Making These Caption Mistakes?
Formula 4: Mistake/Problem
The [Number] [Mistakes] + [Negative Consequence]
Examples:
- The 5 Mistakes Killing Your Instagram Reach
- 3 Reasons Your Posts Aren't Getting Seen
- Why Your Social Media Strategy Isn't Working
Formula 5: Secret/Insider
The [Secret/Truth] + [Topic] + [Outcome]
Examples:
- The Real Reason Your Posts Don't Get Engagement
- What Nobody Tells You About Growing on TikTok
- The Truth About Social Media Algorithms
Formula 6: This vs. That
[X] vs. [Y]: [Which Outcome]
Examples:
- Reels vs. Stories: Which Gets More Reach?
- Long Captions vs. Short: What Actually Works
- Morning vs. Evening Posts: Best Times Revealed
Formula 7: Complete Guide
The [Ultimate/Complete] Guide to [Topic]
Examples:
- The Complete Guide to Instagram Reels
- The Ultimate Social Media Strategy for Small Business
Formula 8: Why X Works/Doesn't Work
Why [Something] + [Works/Doesn't Work]
Examples:
- Why Your Hashtag Strategy Isn't Working
- Why Simple Content Outperforms Polished Content
Which formula works best for educational content?
50 Headline Templates
Educational Headlines
- How to [Achieve X] Without [Pain Point]
- [Number] Ways to [Achieve Outcome] in [Timeframe]
- The Beginner's Guide to [Topic]
- What I Learned After [Achievement]
- [Number] Things I Wish I Knew Before [Starting X]
List Headlines
- [Number] Reasons Why [Statement]
- [Number] [Type] Every [Audience] Needs
- The Top [Number] [Category] for [Year]
- [Number] Mistakes You're Probably Making
- [Number] Signs You Need to [Take Action]
Question Headlines
- What Would Happen If You [Bold Action]?
- Are You [Doing Common Mistake]?
- Want to [Achieve X]? Try This Instead
- Is [Common Belief] Actually True?
- Who Else Wants to [Achieve X]?
Curiosity Headlines
- The One Thing [Experts] Never Tell You
- What Happens When You [Do X] for [Time]
- The Hidden [Cost/Benefit] of [Topic]
- The Unexpected Truth About [Topic]
- What Nobody Tells You About [Topic]
Problem/Solution Headlines
- Stop [Pain Point]: Here's What to Do
- The Fix for [Common Problem]
- Struggling With [Problem]? Try This
- The Answer to [Question Everyone Asks]
- Why [Problem] Keeps Happening (And How to Fix It)
Headline Length by Platform
Power Words That Work
For 700+ more power words, see our complete power words guide or use our power words generator.
Common Mistakes
What makes a headline 'clickbait'?
Testing Your Headlines
Free Headline Analyzer Tools
Before publishing, run your headlines through these free tools:
CoSchedule recommends headlines of 55 characters and 6 words for maximum click-through. Sharethrough suggests 21-28 words for engaging headlines.
Pro tip: Run headlines through both tools. Each scores differently, helping you catch issues the other misses.
What to Test
- Number vs. no number
- Question vs. statement
- Positive vs. negative framing
- Length variations
- Power word variations
Where to Test
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a headline be?
Depends on platform. For blogs/SEO: 50-60 characters. For social: 40-80 characters. For email subjects: 30-50 characters.
Should every headline have a number?
No. Numbers work well for list posts and how-tos. Questions, curiosity gaps, and problem/solution headlines don't need numbers.
How do I avoid clickbait?
Make sure your content delivers what the headline promises. Strong headlines create expectations. Your content must meet them.
Related Resources
- Social Media Copywriting Tips
- Power Words for Sales & Marketing - 700+ attention-grabbing words
- Emotional Marketing Guide - Psychology behind engagement
- LinkedIn Headline Examples
- Blog Title Ideas
- Caption Generator
- Content Writing 101 Guide
- Copy vs Content Writing
- Best Facebook Captions
- PAS Copywriting Framework
Free Tools:
- Power Words Generator - Get instant power words
- Urgency Message Generator - FOMO-driven headlines
Your headline is your first impression. Make it count.
Test relentlessly. And remember: a great headline makes a promise your content must deliver.
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