Cat Michaels, Writer
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author 101

 Tips and Tricks for the Writerly Road

how to write social media headlines that engage users and get results

10/5/2014

8 Comments

 
Writing headlines for social media bedevils me.
Picture: Comic-book like headline: BAM in red letters against yellow-fired graphic
Photo: Pixabay
I must toss rules of print writing for punchy openers that grab search engines.  And though it gives me sleepless nights, I insert the cyber-preferred second-person voice, you - GASP! --- a huge no-no from my days as a college writing coach, where professors deducted points for every ‘you’ found in papers they graded. 
PictureAdvanced Marketing Institute
Then I stumble on the  Headline Analyzer,  a  FREE gem of an online tool  from the Advanced Marketing Institute. I don’t know much about this organization, other than I love how its analyzer tool measures my headline's likelihood of click-throughs and shares.  This tool is based on an Emotional Marketing Value (EMV): words measuring three areas that engage people: 
  • intellect
  • empathy
  • spiritual
The headline analyzer helps me focus and gives me immediate feedback about my titles.   I just type in my headline -- there’s a 20-word limit -- select my industry category, hit the submit button, and cross my fingers I’ll get an EMV score between 30%-40%....the range most likely to get more clicks and shares.

Here’s how the analyzer helped me find an effective title to for  this post. 

  • I start with this headline: 
           Writing the perfect social media headline: less is more. 
          Boo.  An EMV of just 11% (see below).  I'm so hosed.  

Picture
First attempt using Headline Analyzer
I stress out when I read studies about writing headlines like the one reported in The Guardian.  Eight words max. OK.  Odd numbers are better.  Huh?  Colons (not of the human intestinal kind) are magical.  Really?

Yikes! I need help!   
  • Then I write different headlines, trying to get a higher EMV score each time by reading the instant feedback the analyzer provides.
  • Eureka!  Five minutes and a few more attempts later, I score a 33% EMV with the headline I finally use for this post: How to Write Social Media Headlines That Engage Readers and Get  Results. This score suggests my headline is likely to get a higher click and share rate.

And now that you know how to write powerful social media titles with this handy tool, may the headlines be forever in your favor. 

TAKE-AWAYS: 
To learn more... 
Check out this comprehensive post for writing effective headlines for tweets, emails, and blogs by social media guru Kevan Lee, Content Creator for Buffer Social.
30+ Ultimate headline formulas
Blogger  Amy Lynn Andrews also shares a dandy blog content generator you can use to stimulate ideas for blog topics and titles.

'blogabout' by Impact

P.S. 
We're all on this writing journey together, so please join the conversation in the comment section.

What do you use for writing social media headlines?  And if you tried the headline analyzer, how did it work for you? 

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8 Comments
karen emma
10/6/2014 09:34:49 am

I love writing a new headline, and this is a perfect read for those who struggle or even just to get a wider range to choose from. Thanks for posting this Cat :)

Reply
Cat Michaels link
10/8/2014 03:59:52 am

Thanks, Karen. I the tool's instant feedback about what I write, and I'm glad you find it useful, too.

Reply
K. Lamb link
10/6/2014 10:13:34 am

I look forward to this new section of your website/blog, Cat! You always come up with the best articles and finds.

I have used the analyzer a bit since you recommended it to me a while back and I think it yields some pretty interesting results. Definitely makes you think at times.

Thanks for your contributions and for helping your fellow authors!

Wishing you continued success,

K. Lamb

Reply
Cat Michaels link
10/8/2014 04:07:41 am

K., being an Indie author is a huge learning curve, and I'm just hitting the tip of this iceberg. Couldn't do it without the support of my writerly colleagues.

Reply
Enisca link
10/6/2014 11:08:55 am

Aseosome information. I must try this out!

Reply
Cat Michaels link
10/8/2014 04:03:31 am

Thanks, Enisca. It's kinda fun receiving the immediate feedback and score. I hope you find it useful, too.

Reply
Mari link
10/6/2014 01:38:27 pm

A thousand thank yous! I need all the help I can get and this looks to be a good starting point.

Reply
Cat Michaels link
10/8/2014 04:04:50 am

Appreciate the feedback, Mari. There's so much to learn, and it's always better to share and support each other on this journey.

Reply

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    CAT MICHAELS

    The writing journey is a long one.  And with all that social media and technology in the mix, it's easy to feel  overloaded. To make it easier, I share angst-saving tips found along my way. I'm still learning, so please join me. Let's travel this writing journey and learn together.


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  • Welcome!
  • Cat's Books
    • Just Between Sam and Me
    • Sweet T and the Turtle Team
    • Finding Fuzzy: A You-Decide Tale of a Lost Friend
    • Sweet T and the North Wind
    • The Magical Aquarium
  • Cat's Corner: Blogging About Books, Writing, and More
  • Author 101: Tips & Tricks for a Writer's Journey
  • Meet Cat
  • Author Visits
  • FREE STUFF in the Kids' Zone
  • Book Review Guidelines
  • KidLit Book Reviews
  • Contact Cat