Does Your Post Title Suck?
I have come to discover something pretty interesting and I thought it would be nice to share it with you. I am a blogger, just as you are a blogger. I have Google Reader just as many other bloggers have Google Reader or some form of an RSS reader.
Just like you, I also subscribe to a bunch of blogs that I like to read. But, what commonly happens for me, is that my un-read post numbers tend to skyrocket. This results in numbers that can become unmanageable. I suspect that others are in this same situation. What I tend to find myself doing is skimming through all my un-read blog posts, hitting only the ones that truly interest me while the others get automatically marked as being read and never to be seen again.
Is Garry Conn the biggest butt hole in the blogosphere? No, I really don’t think so, but you would be a better judge of that than me. I give every blog author I subscribe to an equal opportunity to capture my interest. If you don’t do that, then I simply pass your post up and move on to the next. You might or might not do the same. However, again… I just can’t handle the volume of posts that flood into my reader from all the blogs that I subscribe to and typically, I only read / comment on the ones that really have hooked me and captured my attention.
When I skim through the posts in my RSS reader, the ones that tend to capture my attention are the ones that have post titles that are well written.
I believe that a well written post title can make the difference between getting ZERO views and 100,000 views. And with that being said, the more people that actually READ your post, the more chance there is for you to get more comments on that post.
It all starts with the post title. When people are dealing the large numbers, they have no choice but to view books by their covers. And if your book (the post) isn’t titled in a way that captures attention, it will get passed up in the shuffle.
Again, it doesn’t matter if you have one subscriber or 1000 subscribers. Once you have your foot in the door and you have someone who has subscribed to your blog, you’re locked in! It is then now your job to write posts that continue to interest them. Having a post title that jumps out and stands above the rest in an RSS reader can be the difference between getting passed up or hit.
| 3.1 |
23 Comments! Join The Discussion by Leaving Your Comment.
What do you have to say about this post? Leave a comment!
Date/Time: 10-9-2007 18:52:30 Comment #5674
Very well said! I’m the same way.
I’ve also noticed this with my writing. A clever or attention grabbing post will get more views/comments.
Date/Time: 10-10-2007 09:38:18 Comment #5684
So when were you going to let the cat out of the bag on Hack WordPress? I have been digging a little bit to find an announcement someone and couldn’t find one.
Are you trying to fly under the radar? lol
Date/Time: 10-10-2007 09:47:27 Comment #5685
“Garry Conn the biggest butt hole in the blogosphere?” lol, me repeating that phrase will probably get this page ranked no. 1 for it. Thank me later :p
I agree, title is vital (rhyming is fun!). It should tell the reader if they should skip the post or not.
Date/Time: 10-10-2007 09:57:43 Comment #5686
Garry - What do you mean? I was just spending to much time on my main site covering fun WordPress stuff (which that site doesn’t really focus on), so I’m slowing moving stuff over to its own site and adding new stuff at the same time. Besides, the domain name was way to good to pass up!
The About page was the first page created on the site before I added the first post, so there is certainly no secrets there. Its also on KC’s About page also. I don’t know that I’ll ever really make an announcement though, its more of a search engine traffic grabbing blog. I figured instead I would link to stuff written there occasionally if I think my readers would find it useful.
Do you think I should make an announcement?
Date/Time: 10-10-2007 09:59:06 Comment #5687
LOL!!! Great!
I already ranked 3rd.
Thanks for dropping me the comment.
Date/Time: 10-10-2007 10:02:33 Comment #5688
@ Kyle,
Just poking some fun… you my friend, might actually have something more than what you originally intended. The blog is great and the content/tips are awesome! Short, sweet and simple to follow.
We hell yeah you should make an announcement! LOL!!! I almost wrote a post about it myself, but then thought… well, maybe Kyle’s wanting to keep this place the best kept secret on the Internet?”
Tell everyone, tell the world.. tell your grandmother…
Date/Time: 10-10-2007 10:46:24 Comment #5690
I may make an announcement at some point, but first I’m going to try to get a good amount of content posted. After all, I just bought the domain October 1st.
Now I’ve just got to figure out how to get search engine traffic to click those ads!
In the meantime, it’s no secret, I’m just not actively promoting it. You are more than welcome to write a post about it if you want to.
Date/Time: 10-10-2007 13:09:06 Comment #5692
[whisper]… hey everyone, shhh.. be very quite about this, Kyle Eslick is about to take over the world with a brand new killer blog that offers nothing but amazing WordPress tips. Keep it on the down low… [/whisper]
Date/Time: 10-10-2007 15:45:41 Comment #5693
Titles really are important to me also when I am skimming thru things. I think it is for everyone really…doesn’t matter if it is articles, emails, blog posts, forum posts…you name it…it is only going to get clicked on if it draws the readers in by giving them a reason to read more.
This is something that I like to split test whenever possible…because it really is an important factor.
Very good information to keep in mind!
Veronica Routtu
Date/Time: 10-10-2007 15:49:26 Comment #5695
I have to admit that I too, pass up articles with boring titles. However, that being said, may I also point out that it’s not always easy coming up with a title that’s going to grab everyone’s attention.
As a reader, I at least try to give the blogauthors the benefit of the doubt and at least read the first paragraph. No, I don’t always do this, but I try to as much as possible. If I can’t get into the article by the end of the first paragraph, or if it’s something I’m not interested in, I move on to the next blog.
As a writer, I can’t stress enough how hard it is to come up with amazing titles with each post. It is important to come up with something that will reach out and grab my readers, and sometimes it’s easy. However, for the most part, it’s a pain in the butt. What one person might see as the best title in the world, may be seen by another as totally stupid.
Great article, hon. You’re title reeled me in like a hooked trout. LOL
Date/Time: 10-10-2007 17:28:37 Comment #5699
Well thats a chance you take being a blogger. But I will say this if your blog hsa boring titles for 6 days the a title that catchs my eye on the 7th. I scroll back through the other six when I get there to see what was going on a try to read any that have alot of comments.
And heres a question bud. I read on Probloggers site there was a guy who started his blog 10 days ago and he has 54 readers, and 292 visitors a day. 10 Days old how can that be possible? Here is his link - http://surfindad.com if you could let me know if that is possible I may end up loving you….:)
Date/Time: 10-10-2007 19:09:47 Comment #5702
Collin,
That is easily possible. Surfindad is probably working his tail off on getting his name out. He’s doing a good job, because he has created so much hype that even you are talking about it and provided a direct link to his blog from mine… It’s the classic roll a snowball down the hill and watch it get bigger and build speed.
Date/Time: 10-10-2007 21:25:36 Comment #5705
Great post, Garry! I know exactly what you mean. My Google Reader now shows 999 unread posts. Oy. I do just as you do - I glance through them and if a title stands out, I read it. The title is so important!
I hope you’re doing well.
Date/Time: 10-10-2007 23:53:52 Comment #5707
I generally only read posts if the title stands out. There is too much out there to keep tabs on, and you just get lost if you are constantly reading things that are not relevant
Date/Time: 10-11-2007 02:07:16 Comment #5710
Hey Tish,
I am going great! Thanks for asking. I hope everything is going well for you. I hear you are having some trouble with spiders running up your cable TV bill? What’s up with that?
I am glad I am not the only one with too many un-read posts in my reader! lol
@ Steve,
you are right… it can be very difficult for me to contribute on posts that I can contribute the most in when I am buried with tons of un-read posts. So, I really do have to skim though and when authors use some creativity in their titles… that is the key thing that jumps out to me.
Date/Time: 10-11-2007 02:13:35 Comment #5711
Christine,
Your comment lead me to expand on something here. I should have covered it in the article… by hey! Thats what the comment section is for. lol
Everyone has favorites. So, for me… the blogs that are my “Regular Reads” I tend to do less skimming. Newly subscribed blogs, or blogs where my relationship is still in a building/establishing stage are typically the ones where I have to do quick sweeps and look for things the stand out.
Date/Time: 10-14-2007 08:06:17 Comment #5775
I’m constantly tryint to rewrite my titles before I launch. Sometimes the topic in my niche is hard, but I’ll keep trying.
Date/Time: 10-14-2007 17:52:04 Comment #5778
Hi, Garry! Yep, those pesky spiders are ordering up PPV!
I just wanted to say that I’m thrilled to have you on the BWL team!
Thank you!
Date/Time: 10-14-2007 19:47:22 Comment #5784
How could I not want to hook up on an opportunity like this… I am looking forward to having a lot of fun with you guys! Thanks for having me!
I figured you could use the additional pest control support as well. lol
Date/Time: 10-14-2007 22:53:34 Comment #5794
A SECRET WORDPRESS BLOG BY KYLE? (oh crap, there I go again typing out loud — sorry) LOL
Well, I don’t feel so bad with all my 1,000+ unread posts in my reader. Geesh! It’s just too many blogs I’ve subscribed to. And just like you, Garry, it’s the titles that make me want to click. That’s definitely a talent.
Date/Time: 10-14-2007 23:08:55 Comment #5796
Kyle is doing great… I would totally recommend subscribing to his new blog and making it a top read. For one… Kyle is a great guy, totally a great friend and secondly, the tips are great!
As far as titles go… without a doubt. People bust their ass to write wonderful posts that I am sure has the potential to help, entertain and or inform thousands of people… but unfortunately their post titles lack in eye candy and fails to score clicks/views. I have an up coming article that will teach people how to give older posts a second life… I am sure you’ll like it.
Date/Time: 10-16-2007 17:17:37 Comment #5839
Title is vital (good one Matt).
The article is here: http://www.raproject.com/articles/blogging/exploit-your-readers-to-the-full/
I saw this title “Exploit Your Readers To The Full” in my feed reader today and I just had to click it.
Date/Time: 4-10-2008 23:45:40 Comment #13406
Great and very useful. Thank you.