How often do you give your headline the attention it actually deserves? Probably not enough, right? Well, this nugget of wisdom from the father of advertising, David Ogilvy, might change your mind.
“On average, five times as many people read the headline as read the body copy. When you have written your headline, you’ve spent eighty cents out of your dollar.” In other words, your headline is 80% of the battle. Kind of a big deal, huh?
If the headline doesn’t grab attention, the rest of the content may never get read. In a world of content proliferation, where attention is limited, a powerful headline can make or break the success of the message.
So whether you’re crafting a headline for your next blog post or newsletter, we’ve got you covered. We’ll break down the basics of what makes a headline actually work and throw in some real-world examples that hit the mark. Let’s dive in.
Content
- Best practices for eye-catching headlines
- General headline examples and ideas
- Blog headline examples to get more traffic
- Newsletter headline examples to boost open rates
Best practices for eye-catching headlines
Crafting compelling headlines is half-science and half-art. While there are some best practices and tips that can help you hit the nail on the head, there’s no magic formula that works every single time. That said, there are some proven ways to create engaging headlines for your small business.
Ask questions
A headline that asks a question piques curiosity. It’s like a mystery you need to solve. “Are You Getting Enough Nutrients?” This blog headline from MyFitnessPal makes readers instantly think, “Am I missing nutrients?” These types of headlines are impossible to ignore. They invite the reader to click and find the answer to the question. Moreover, data shows that roughly 8% of Google search queries are questions.
Create a sense of urgency
“Act Now!” “Limited Time Offer!” You’ve heard them a thousand times because they work. People don’t like to miss out, so when you make something seem urgent, they’ll pay attention. The trick with these types of headlines is to find the right balance—don’t overdo it, or it’ll come off as too aggressive. Ethan Allen uses this approach in its email campaigns to nudge readers to use a time-limited offer.
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Talk to your audience
Nobody wants to feel like they’re reading a generic message. Talk to your audience like you’re having a conversation. Use “you” and “your” to make it feel personal. Here’s an example from Advanced Insurance Net’s blog: “How to Respond If Your Vehicle Has Been Stolen.” The headline example feels personal, and it speaks directly to the reader.
Keep it concise
In today’s attention economy, where people are overwhelmed by the amount of information they receive, the more concise headline you use, the better. Aim for a headline that’s punchy and to the point. “8 Ways to Get Your Backyard Ready for Spring Now” is clear, actionable, and easy to digest. Skip the fluff.
Feature your keywords
Despite all the discussion about the evolving role of SEO, one thing is for sure—SEO isn’t optional; it’s essential. Including your primary keyword in your headline is a no-brainer. Not only does it help you rank better on Google, but it also signals to the reader that the content is exactly what they’re looking for. That’s a huge win-win. This example from Ogaenics, the organic food supplements brand, shows how to fit your keyword in the headline without making it feel forced.
Test and optimize
If there’s one tip you should always apply to your headlines, it’s to test and optimize. Don’t just throw a headline out there and hope for the best. Test different variations to see which one performs best. With time, the patterns you notice in your A/B testing will help you improve your skills in crafting headlines that grab attention and convert readers into customers. So, when in doubt, keep experimenting until you find the sweet spot.
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General headline examples and ideas
These headline examples and ideas can be used across your marketing strategy.
Use “mistakes to avoid” headlines
Who doesn’t want to avoid making mistakes? People are curious about other’s challenges, especially when it saves them from making the same faux pas. According to Google, search queries of the “__ to avoid” format have increased by 150%. Headlines like “10 Mistakes to Avoid When Using Supplements” promise valuable lessons that readers can’t resist but check out.
Use lists
We love lists. People’s brains are hardwired to perceive lists as cheat sheets of information. Headlines with numbers are effective because they promise something bite-sized and easy to consume. Conductor’s study found that headlines with numbers are 36% more popular than those without. In this example from CampGladiator, instead of the vague “how to,” the blog post headline “Recover Like a Pro: 5 Stretching Routines to Prevent Injury & Stay Consistent” gives readers a clear promise and structure.
Include data to back your claim
Data is your best friend when it comes to creating credibility. Square Baby used a stat in its blog post, “Urgent Study Finds 60% of Baby Foods Failed to Meet Nutrition Requirements,” which intrigues readers and gives the headline instant authority. Adding stats and findings to your headlines can help you stand out in a sea of generic blog posts.
Create a curiosity gap
The curiosity gap is when your headline teases just enough info to make someone want to click but not enough to give everything away. TV shows use this cliffhanger approach to get you excited for the next episode. “When Is the Best Time to Take Vitamins: Morning or Night?” Click and you’ll find out.
Blog headline examples to get more traffic
Now that we’ve covered some general best practices, it’s time to get more specific and go through examples of blog post headlines that work well.
Use “the ultimate guide” formula
Having all the information you need in one place is handy. That’s why “the ultimate guide” formula works well for blog posts. This type of headline holds a promise that you can find the answers to all your questions. Another great thing about “ultimate guide” blog posts is that they are evergreen, and you can promote them over and over again. Just make sure you keep your promise and offer real value in a single blog post.
“The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning Your Dishwasher” is just one of this type of blog posts on the Practically Spotless® Home Cleaning Blog from Molly Maid.
Address sensitive topics and create a sense of urgency
Sharing valuable advice and helping people with sensitive topics can help you get more traffic to your blog. The tricky part is conveying a sense of value and urgency in a short and concise headline.
This example from Mr. Handyman shows it’s possible. The blog post “Water in a Crawl Space: How to Act Fast and Prevent Damage” addresses a common issue and shares advice on how people can act fast and prevent more significant damage.
Evoke emotions
People make decisions based on feelings, not logic. Gallup’s research has found that about 70% of decisions are based on emotional factors, and only 30% are based on rational factors. Knowing this, it’s clear that emotions are one of the most powerful tools when it comes to crafting irresistible blog post headlines.
Whether you’re sparking curiosity, playing on FOMO, or tapping into frustration, the goal is to make readers feel something. By offering suggestions for the “perfect holiday gift for pets,” Premier Pet Supply aims to evoke emotions in pet moms and dads.
Ease customers’ lives
Whenever you can create resources that ease customers’ lives, you win. Headlines like “How to Save Money in 5 Easy Steps” or “The Ultimate Guide to Buying a Pet-Friendly Sofa” promise simplicity and clarity. They work because they instantly show value.
To create these types of headlines, focus on solving a problem or making something complicated easy. Check this example from Nelson Financial Planning. Taxes are a nightmare for everyone; that’s why they created a blog post with tax changes readers should know. When you offer straight-up useful info, readers will appreciate it, and they’ll click.
Use newsjacking and make the most of trending topics
Newsjacking headlines tap into trending topics to grab attention fast. When you hook your content to something buzzing right now, you ride the wave of urgency and relevancy.
Headlines like “Pantone Color of the Year 2025 Home Design Trends” work because they’re timely and relevant. To create them, keep an eye on current events, then tie them back to your audience’s needs with a catchy twist.
Create blog post headlines that sell your products
Blog posts should offer value for readers, but the ultimate goal for everything in marketing is to boost sales. Keep this in mind whenever you’re creating new content. If you combine valuable advice with relevant product recommendations, you’ve got the perfect recipe for success.
Headlines like “Exploring the Best Couches for Small Spaces” sell because they promise both knowledge and a solution. That’s the perfect combination for turning readers into buyers.
Newsletter headline examples to boost open rates
Blog posts and newsletters share many headline best practices, but there are a few key differences. Newsletters need to stand out in crowded inboxes, so urgency and exclusivity are key. On the flip side, blog post headlines can be more descriptive, while newsletter subject lines are often limited by character count, meaning they need to be short and punchy.
In this section, we’ll break down five examples that show how these subtle tweaks can make all the difference in grabbing attention.
Create a sense of urgency with time-limited offers
Email subject lines like “Up to 20% Off. Hurry up!” push readers to act quickly, tapping into their fear of missing out and driving immediate action.
Spark readers’ curiosity
A headline such as “Our team loves these” leaves readers wanting to know the secret, making them more likely to click to satisfy their curiosity.
Create an irresistible offer
When your headline promises something valuable like “FREE fragrance gift inside 🎁,” it’s hard for readers to ignore, especially when it feels like a bargain.
Address specific pain points
“Treat visible signs of aging with GF 15% Solution” directly speaks to readers’ challenges, offering a solution that instantly feels relevant to their needs.
Be playful
A headline like “pHitness class (but not that kind)” uses humor to break through the noise, making it stand out and appealing to readers who appreciate a lighter tone and witty wordplay.
Use these headline examples to get more clicks
And there you have it, 21 best practices and examples of headlines your customers can’t ignore. Remember, a headline is your first (and sometimes only) shot to hook readers. So get creative, test different approaches, and always keep your audience in mind. With the right headlines, you can shift your business into high gear.
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