How to Write Quick, Effective Headlines

Most readers have the attention span of a gnat (.210005 of a second), so crafting riveting, soothing or quick solution headlines is a really good way to hook your reader fast.
 
An enormous amount of research over the years has given writers time-tested headline templates that work. While you may want to get clever and creative with your headlines (and it’s a highly useful practice to brainstorm many possible versions of a headline), in most cases you really don’t need to re-invent the wheel. Simple, eye-grabbing headlines are usually the most effective.
 
Here are a few headline ideas to either scare, soothe or entice your reader into actually reading your headline (and hopefully the rest of your content):
 
SCARY HEADLINES (to create some palpitations)
The Terrifying Truth About [insert]
The Shocking Truth About [insert]
Can We Really Trust [insert name]?
5 Ways to Protect Yourself from [insert]
9 Warning Signs That [insert]
11 Lies That [insert company name] is Likely to Tell You
7 Ways to Know You Are Being Ripped Off By [insert company]
13 Things Your [trusted company] Will Avoid Telling You
 
SOOTHING HEADLINES (to take the pain away)
Feeling overwhelmed? How to [insert] in Just 5 Minutes
Solve [insert] Problem Once and for All
How to [insert] in 2 Minutes
Zen Ways to Manage [insert problem]
3 Ways to Simplify Your [insert]
7 Shortcuts to Solving [insert problem]
 
FAST SOLUTION HEADLINES (very popular with gnats)
3 Quick Ways to [insert action]
Top 10 [insert]
5 Easy Steps to [insert]
How to [insert] Now!
How to be [insert quality]
How to [insert] without [insert]

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