With the popularity of RSS readers skyrocketing (particularly in tech-savvy fields like SEO and webdev), writers in these arenas are realizing how critical it is to have compelling titles and a great first few lines in order to get the RSS subscribers to click-through to the site. This morning, Donna identified one terrific method for making sure readers will click an RSS link... Tell them not to.
I thought I'd identify a few more good ones:
- Start the post with "The secret to amazing results with..." or "What XXX doesn't want you to know" - anything with an air of mystery that's also on-topic for your sector is going to push the CTR.
- The tried and true numbered list, i.e. "7 Methods for.." the "25 things I hate about..."
- Controversial or Incendiary titles - i.e. " The scumsucking troglodytes at XXX" or "These guys are on my S--- list"
- Shocking news - i.e. "New feature from XXX" or "Unbelievably cool new site"
Any others you particularly like?
i put "seomoz" somewhere in the title....:)
Making me have to go click on the page after I got my rss reader was one of the most ANNOYING things. So I found a solution...it's called intraVNews and it downloads the link for me so I can read it in Outlook. Now I can stay up to date on all my feeds without having to wait for them to download.
Have to agree with GeoffreyF67 here. Don't make me click through. Just give me the article. If you want me to see some ads in my RSS feeds fine. Get feedburner and track your RSS -- don't make click-throughs required for articles.
some straight talk about ________ ________ doesn't have to be expensive now, more than ever, you need _______ your shortcut to .......... you can organize a successful ______ if _______ is your passion, then you'll appreciate... in the 10 seconds it took you to read this far,.... now for the surprise:.......... how our _______ stacks up food for thought your _______ says a lot about you
these are a few from the book "words that sell" by richard bayan. it along with "more words that sell" are great references for writing copy.
Tried and true direct mail titles;)
They didn’t think I could ________, but I did Who else wants _______ ? How _______ made me a _______ Are you _______? How I _______? How to _______? If you are _______, you can _______ Secrets of _______ Hundreds (thousands, millions) now _______, even though they _______ Give me _______, and I’ll _______
_______ ways to _______
Originally from a Dan Kennedy book - shameless
The power of good titles will NEVER be overestimated.
Start the title with: "How to..."
I usually like to try to include something about viagara. Usually a winner.
Yeah - maybe as a good way to make sure readers click "unsubscribe" :)