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A Quick Lesson in Titles for Newbies

by Dennis Gaskill
10 replies
If you're an IM newbie, here's a very simple lesson in titles. I am operating from memory here, so I might be a little off on things, but even so, the message is valid.

A couple days ago a started a thread titled, 500th Post . . . and a little something for You.

I should have known better, but I put it up quickly without giving the title much thought. After about 45 minutes it was about to fall off the first page without generating very many page views at all. The title wasn't working.

Can you guess why the title wasn't working?

Whether it's someone reading a forum, website, blog, article directory, or search engine listings, readers want to know what's in it for them. Starting off with "500th Post" was all about me. A lot of eyeballs probably went from that to the next thread without even reading the rest of the title.

I changed the title to Grab this before I take it down... and went to the store to get a gallon of milk. That took about 20 minutes or so, and when I got back the page views had taken off and the thread hung around on the first page for quite some time. It's up to 653 page views as I write this.

Why do you think that title did so much better?

There are two reasons. One is that rather than being about me and my 500th post, it tells the reader there is something they can grab - in other words, there's something in it for them. The second reason is scarcity. Grab this before I take it down let's them know whatever I'm offering isn't going to last forever. The underlying message is get it now or lose out!

A reader always wants to know what's in it for them . . . a quick lesson you can apply to web page titles, article titles, forum thread titles, and any where else you use a title.

PS - By the way, that free gift is coming down tomorrow or the next day. The link above will take you to the thread.
#lesson #newbies #quick #titles
  • Profile picture of the author Martin Luxton
    "Grab This Quick Lesson in Titles for Newbies Before I Take It Down"

    Martin
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  • Profile picture of the author Ken Preuss
    There's a million-dollar lesson in your OP Dennis. I hope people really get it. Whenever you are in front of your audience, *every* interaction has an element of marketing to it.

    In this case, the post title you reference is literally a headline - one that either gets people's attention and curiosity, or does not.

    From a copy standpoint "Grab this before I take it down" has so many beautiful elements it's almost unfair

    - Short and sweet
    - Immediate call to action
    - Customer's own voice: "Grab what? I'd better see what it is!" (curiosity)
    - "Before I take it down" = Scarcity

    But what's even more valuable is that you shared the valuable marketing lesson behind it. Bravo.

    Ken
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    • Profile picture of the author Marian
      Yeah... I'm making a notice, will add it to my favorite titles and subjects :-)

      Thanks.

      Marian
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    • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
      Originally Posted by Ken Preuss View Post

      There's a million-dollar lesson in your OP Dennis. I hope people really get it. Whenever you are in front of your audience, *every* interaction has an element of marketing to it.

      In this case, the post title you reference is literally a headline - one that either gets people's attention and curiosity, or does not.

      From a copy standpoint "Grab this before I take it down" has so many beautiful elements it's almost unfair

      - Short and sweet
      - Immediate call to action
      - Customer's own voice: "Grab what? I'd better see what it is!" (curiosity)
      - "Before I take it down" = Scarcity

      But what's even more valuable is that you shared the valuable marketing lesson behind it. Bravo.

      Ken
      This is an excellent "add on" to my OP. Look closely at what Ken added, he's right on the money.

      @ Martin Luxton - Very good!

      @ Joe118 - Umm...guess I didn't want waste experienced marketers time. I thought they knew everything! :p
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  • Profile picture of the author Joe118
    Dennis why do you think this is only for newbies? Yes, I'm just as guilty of this.

    Congrats on the 500th post by the way.

    Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

    If you're an IM newbie, here's a very simple lesson in titles. I am operating from memory here, so I might be a little off on things, but even so, the message is valid.

    A couple days ago a started a thread titled, 500th Post . . . and a little something for You.

    I should have known better, but I put it up quickly without giving the title much thought. After about 45 minutes it was about to fall off the first page without generating very many page views at all. The title wasn't working.

    Can you guess why the title wasn't working?

    Whether it's someone reading a forum, website, blog, article directory, or search engine listings, readers want to know what's in it for them. Starting off with "500th Post" was all about me. A lot of eyeballs probably went from that to the next thread without even reading the rest of the title.

    I changed the title to Grab this before I take it down... and went to the store to get a gallon of milk. That took about 20 minutes or so, and when I got back the page views had taken off and the thread hung around on the first page for quite some time. It's up to 653 page views as I write this.

    Why do you think that title did so much better?

    There are two reasons. One is that rather than being about me and my 500th post, it tells the reader there is something they can grab - in other words, there's something in it for them. The second reason is scarcity. Grab this before I take it down let's them know whatever I'm offering isn't going to last forever. The underlying message is get it now or lose out!

    A reader always wants to know what's in it for them . . . a quick lesson you can apply to web page titles, article titles, forum thread titles, and any where else you use a title.

    PS - By the way, that free gift is coming down tomorrow. The link above will take you to the thread.
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  • Profile picture of the author Home Easy Earn
    I have made a note of that tip and copied it to my tips word document. For any other newbies what I was advised at some point was to open a file and copy and paste any good tips you come across into it. That way you can always refer back to them when puting together your own posts/blogs/web sites or whatever.

    Thanks for that dennis and i must admit that i did read the thread you mentioned before i read this one. It does really catch your eye and makes you want to go and see what is happening there
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  • Profile picture of the author JeffLam
    I guess it's quite hard to do it sometimes..

    gotta say I suffer from the same problems too.

    The WSO section is definitely a killzone for titles.
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  • Profile picture of the author WD Mino
    Hey D Good one I have been fiddling with headlines the past week now

    Maybe I should try that one
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  • Profile picture of the author tryinhere
    Yes a great lesson in marketing, but i am now asking if a second great title with a link to the first great titles, gets those few extra miles out of a tank of petrol
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