Section 1.1: Lack of Clarity

In the early stages of my online writing journey, I often tried to be overly clever. I crafted ambiguous, enigmatic headlines in hopes of intriguing readers. However, a perplexed reader is unlikely to engage.

Readers are pressed for time, and they won’t invest it in deciphering your content. They need to quickly understand:

• What the content is about
• Who the intended audience is
• What problem it aims to solve

Prospective readers are scanning through numerous headlines, and if anything is unclear or requires extra effort to comprehend, they will not bother to figure it out.

Take a look at one of my recent articles:

The 5 Key Decisions That Built My $1500/Month Writing Business

Can you identify:

• Who it targets — individuals looking to earn money through writing
• What the article covers — five decisions I made
• What issue it addresses — how to generate income from writing

This headline is crystal clear. If this aligns with the reader's interests, they are likely to click on it.

In my coaching sessions, I observe that writers who struggle with clarity in their headlines often lack clarity in their overall writing. Understanding your audience and the specific assistance you provide them enhances not only your writing but also your thought processes.

Review every headline for clarity.

Section 1.2: Absence of Curiosity

While clarity is essential, it is not sufficient on its own. You also need to evoke curiosity. This element makes your writing compelling—it's a curiosity that readers feel compelled to satisfy. However, you won't generate curiosity by being vague about your content. Instead, you should offer a solution while keeping some details under wraps.

For instance, "What are the 5 writing decisions that lead to my $1500/month income?" invites readers to click for the answer. This headline piques interest and engagement.

Consider this example:

How I Overcame Imposter Syndrome and Became a Resilient Writer

Every writer grapples with Imposter Syndrome and wishes to overcome it. This headline captures their attention and motivates them to learn more. If your headlines are both clear and spark curiosity, you greatly increase your chances of success.

One effective strategy I've discovered is to be more specific. It's challenging to spark curiosity around something vague. Here are some tips to enhance your headlines:

• Use numerical data: "5 writing decisions" is more impactful than "my writing decisions."
• Be specific about your achievements: "$1500/month writing business" is more compelling than "successful writing business."
• Replace abstract concepts with vivid imagery: "Overcame Imposter Syndrome" is stronger than "Conquered Imposter Syndrome."

If you're publishing without mastering the art of writing effective headlines, you are squandering your efforts. Crafting headlines is one of the most vital skills you can develop. Utilize these two C's to elevate your headline writing and welcome an influx of new readers.

If you're interested in the headline strategies that helped me gain 10,000 followers in just seven months and generate $1500/month, you can find them here: