Writing titles for your articles are a lot like coming up with captions for pictures, posters and cover pages. It should not be a chore, but you should not be trying too hard either.
And it probably would not. (Haha!) Know why?
Image via Wikipedia
Be original and creative, yet realistic.
That appears to be over-the-top, over-confident and just a mere call for attention. And there goes my point. While the title for an article should be as creative and original as possible, it should not be over-the-top. It should be realistic.
When did you click on a poster that said “Congratulations! As our 100th visitor, you won a million dollars! Click here!”? I hope you said “never” for this question(if you did, you have probably fallen for some scam!).
Hence, there must be some “truths” to your writing. And good quality in your writing that includes sufficient research and rumination would definitely overshadow the over-confident title(if you ever thought of using one).
Inject some wit and humor!
I am sure you see a lot of titles everywhere, be it the titles for articles, newspaper headlines, headlines on magazine covers, or captions to posters, and so on. Do you realize one thing? You get drawn to big bold words that spark interest! They could be funny captions like “Got Milk?” or provocative captions like “Get Naughty!”(for some fragrance brand).
Appeal to the “clever” generation – be suggestive and provocative.
As we belong to a generation that is more educated, we like reading things that are not of “face value”. That means, there are actually meanings behind what we read. Hence, titles should be clever and original if you want to capture the attention of your reader. It would require readers to read between the lines. For example, a fragrance for women with the caption “Be Delicious” in its advertisement is certainly suggestive. Albeit simple words are used, it has some sexual connotations to it, hence would attract women to buy that perfume if they want the ability to seduce.
If you are able to, the use of puns and ambiguity in words can work in your favour too!
Be concise, yet accurate.
Do not opt for a lengthy title for your article if you think much of the words chosen are unnecassary. Unless you are pretty sure that all words gear towards what’s in your article, you would better avoid verbosity in your title.
And so…
I hope you do get some ideas on how to come up with titles. Sometimes, simplicity is beauty. Other times, complexity can have its advantages. Remember, a good title is an indication of a worthy piece of article(well, most of the time). As long as you use words appropriately for the titles to your articles, they could even help increase in your articles’ viewership!
Moreover, I would like to reiterate that I do not write this article with such a title hoping that it would make it to the contents list. Even if it does not, it would not deter me from trying fresh titles for future articles! Then again, surprise me. Haha!
Tags: captions, concise, creative writing, funny, humor, Inspiration, titles, Writers, Writers Resources, Writing, writing ideas
December 10th, 2009 at 6:59 am
Well done. We all have aspirations for the hot content list. The last time I got there maybe just for minutes that I was told by a friend. When I checked out it was gone. So I think it’s not that hot after all.
December 10th, 2009 at 7:16 am
Fun piece. Now if you called it: Most Amazing 10 Ways to Get On Hot List, you’d make it!
Thanks,
clay
December 10th, 2009 at 8:16 am
Good advice. After all it is the title that attracts the reader. Well done. I hope you get your wish.
Christine
December 10th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Excellent! ..brilliant ideas..keep it up your good work. Hope you’ll make it. good luck my friend. cheers
December 10th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
The title is the first thing the reader sees. The reader decides to read or not to read the article because of the title.
December 10th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Good for you
December 11th, 2009 at 7:26 am
I like this and you did all that you have mentioned. Practice what you preach? You nailed it. What an excellent title! ha. You caught me
December 29th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Superb title. The title definitely caught the attention. All the best!
July 21st, 2010 at 10:43 am
Very informative. It\’s been a great help, thanks!