Titles can be the hardest part of writing. They’ve got to be perfect, because the best blog titles will attract all the readers and guarantee your blog is a success—and the wrong titles will leave it sitting in the dark. Or maybe not.

I’ve also fallen for the crazy feeling that success relies on the right title instead of good blog writing. That there is a perfect, magical title that will pull readers of every type in and make my work a viral success.

Problem is, we all know, deep down, there isn’t. There’s only a good, descriptive title that tells readers the idea of the article. If they click, then the idea has won. The title simply paves the way.

But then what is an amazing title? An amazing title does one thing: communicate the writer’s idea. That’s the one thing a title can do to pull in the right readers. Of course, the language should flow, the title should be memorable, and the vocabulary must be right.

But those considerations are far less important than getting the right idea across to readers. That said, there are thousands of ways to communicate the idea and many potential titles. So here’s my advice for picking the most thought-provoking, clearest, best blog titles.

Ask Questions.

Ask yourself what questions your readers have. Ask what questions you have. Questions are my favorite strategy for selecting topics to write about, and it works pretty well for choosing a title, too.

Select the biggest question your article answers, the one readers have on their lips. Bam! You’ve got a solid title. Readers will have their curiosity stoked and know exactly what to expect from your article. I love asking questions, I love answering questions, and those both make for good titles.

Tell ‘em How It’s Done.

If your article walks readers through a process, it’s good to open with that. Titles like “How to (Your Topic),” “A Guide to (Your Topic),” or “A Tutorial for (Your Topic)” can be surprisingly effective. Not only are they keyword-friendly, but they also spell out exactly what the article will do.

“But aren’t these titles pretty plain and predictable?” you might ask. They are. But that’s a good thing. Predictable titles serve to guide readers to the correct article so they’ll read on. They won’t mislead readers into clicking on something they weren’t looking for.

Plain, obvious, predictable titles attract the readers who’ll finish your article and engage. How-to titles and their cousins are perfect for any article telling readers about how they can do a process (just like this article!).

Try a Series.

Having articles in a series can be a boost for article traffic, but it also makes titling articles easy. Come up with a solid, compelling name for your series of blog posts, and half the work is done. You’ll only need to worry about making descriptive subtitles to distinguish entries from each other.

Series are great for channeling readers from one article to the next. If they liked one, they’ll be more likely to click its similarly-titled friends. It’s crucial to select a good series title, because that will reflect on each article. Make sure all your articles fit the series title and don’t stray. If one article’s title is misleading, it reflects poorly on every other one.

Highlight Contradictions.

If your article hinges on a contradiction, use that to grab readers’ attention. Explaining why waking up earlier will make you less tired? That’s the perfect enigma to spark readers’ curiosity. Contradictions act just like asking a question but even more impactful. They have a built-in curiosity factor that motivates readers. Even readers who generally scroll on will notice your title.

But never make a contradiction where there is none. Impressing readers with linguistic legerdemain, making inconsistencies appear where there are none, isn’t the goal. Nor should you use a contradiction as the title if it’s actually a footnote in your article. Readers will be disappointed and click away if they see the article is actually about something else.

Quote it.

If your article features a particularly strong quote, that can be a great title. Readers will be curious who said it and why. It also lends your title an instant authority and immediacy.

The quote should be representative of the content and clearly credited inside it. Quotes can be a very easy option if you’re struggling for a title, if the content is an interview or Q&A, or if it is focused on a particular statement.

Bonus Tips for the Best Blog Titles

There are few other ways to make your blog posts’ titles clear and quality.

• Do use memorable language. Sometimes, I like to say good. Sometimes, I like to say snappy, attractive, stunning, incomparable, knockout, or amazing. In a sea of articles, the right words can stand out.
• Don’t use obscure language. Avoid foreign words or technical jargon that aren’t necessary to get the idea across. You can explain vocabulary in the writing, but not the title.
• Do use keywords. I could write dozens of articles about the proper use of keywords, but for now, I’ll keep it brief. Using the right keywords in your title will help search engines and readers find your article more easily. Make sure the most important keywords in your article appear in your title.
• Don’t copy clickbait. I know provocative, weird clickbait articles with wonky titles get an outsized amount of attention on the internet. I’m jealous, too. But going viral is way less important than connecting with readers who are actually interested in your content.
• Do use humor when appropriate. If the tone of your piece is light or funny, set that up! A pun is a fun way to segue into content.
• Do sound the title out. Read it aloud, feel each syllable. Does it accidentally alliterate? Should it rhyme for effect? There’s no definitive answer, so use your ears and artistic sense to decide.

A good title is so important because a strong title and a good image are the things that draw readers in. Writing the best blog titles you can is tough, but hopefully, you’ve gotten some more ideas on creating clear, memorable titles. Remember, clarity is key. The readers who are interested in what you have to say will comment, like, and engage, while others click away. Creating the best blog titles will land you the right readers and plenty of them.

Mint Miller

Mint is a writer and digital marketing pro who lives in coastal Virginia with her family and one lovable pitbull. Her passions include helping people and businesses display their best side through the power of communication, buying her dog costumes he doesn’t want to wear, and talking all day about Batman.