Gotcha, didn’t I? It’s ok. If the title brought you here, that was exactly my intention.
A conversation crept up over the weekend regarding the titling of articles. I love the title aspect of writing. It’s never posed a block for me. When I think about titling a piece, I just get into this zone where I let the thoughts follow and the titles just come right out.
I’ll tell you something else: Sometimes I write a post or an article because a title came into my head and I built the post around that.
So let me ask you a question: If you consider yourself a writer, can you please tell me what your job is?
I’m sure the answers range from espousing creative prose to delivering killer ad copy. I’m here to argue that those are all secondary components to getting the first job done.
Here’s the first job of a writer:
You have to get people to read what you are writing!
If you don’t do this, you have failed (unless you write for a eyes only personal journal).
When it comes to getting people to your article, some people will come willingly, others need to be brought kicking and screaming.
If you are a regular reader of Tumblemoose ramblings you know I’ve got to get something about balance in here. Creating titles is truly all about balance. You need to give enough accurate information to gain interest without giving the story away – who is gonna buy the cow when they can get the milk for free? Think about the last time you read a newspaper or a magazine in the waiting room. Unless you compulsively read the entire publication word for word, you scan titles and wait for something to capture your interest.
This is where your skill as a titler makes you stand out in the crowd. This is what gets your writing read – and that’s the idea!
Here’s how to be a titleist:
- Pick a style and stick with it. AP, AMA, USDA, whatever. Be consistent
- Think of what the “hook” of the article is, try to incorporate that into the title
- Be clever. Ok, but not TOO clever. That just irritates people. Balance! It’s all about balance!
- Double and triple check your spelling. WP spellcheckers don’t cruise the title slot!
- Use as few words as possible. With that said, if it takes more, so be it.
- No fair being dishonest. If the title is “The 150 Mostest Awesomest Blogs EVER” then there better be 150 of them sumbitches. And they all better be the mostest awesomest. Ever.
I won’t say there’s really any magic or rocket surgery here. Do try and relax and just let a title come – because it will. If you are happy with it, and it will get the job done of getting people to read what you’ve written then you’re set.
I’m curious to know if anyone has any titling tricks they use on a regular basis. How do you title your stuff?
George
Mission accomplished!
I’ve followed your here from your comment on men with pens, but over the last month or so I’ve seen you and I comment on a lot of the same blogs. But it wasn’t until I saw the title of this post that I actually clicked through to look at your site. Rarely have I seen a better example of posting what you preach.
As for titling tricks, well I’m of the school that you shouldn’t compromise your title for SEO – in the end you may get less visitors total, but if the goal is great writing, so be it.
Patrick
Hey Patrick,
That’s awesome. As far as the SEO thing goes, sometimes it’s just so blatant, I won’t go read just because of that. I kinda feel like I’m being manipulated into heading over, if that makes any sense.
Thanks for coming by and commenting on this and I do believe I’ll head on over to Very Evolved and have a peek!
Cheers!
George
Cheers George – and thanks for your kind words back on my corner of the web!
SEO has it’s place, but there’s not a newspaper, magazine, or great book out there that writes for Google’s robots – the best stuff is written for people.
Since writing is a skill any blogger, irrespective of topic, needs to learn, I’m glad I found your site.
Patrick
Thanks Patrick.
Take people out of the equation and you’ve got bup-kiss.
Good to see you here as well, look forward to it.
George
Awesome post, George! I can’t say I have any tricks… something pops into my head and I usually just go with it. Sometimes I turn it around ’cause it seems better that way.
I’m not sure if I’m all that good at titling, but if I am I blame it on being a little dramatic (just a teeny bit
) in real life. LOL
Gave this a stumble–always love your posts!
*smiles*
Michele
Michele´s last blog post..Featured Health Site: Hillbilly Heaven Herbs
Hi Michele,
Thanks for commenting and the kind words. I do think that some folks are just more naturally inclined in this area.
I think maybe I should have asked if titling is a real issue for any of the folks out there. It would be interesting to see the response.
George
Hey George!
Yep, I think you’re right. That’d be very interesting to see. I have noticed writers – even on Twitter last night – saying they’re not good with headlines/titles. So, it may be a bigger issue than you think.
Sometimes I struggle with a title, but for the most part I just automatically “feel” and “know” what I want it to be. Make sense?
Maybe I’m kind of okay with titles. Now that I think of it, editors don’t even always change my titles. That surprises me.
*smiles*
Michele
P.S. Sorry for hogging the comment thread! LOL
Michele,
I’m GLAD you’re commenting. I do think that there is an inherent knack for some folks. It sounds like you are one of them. It does make sense because that is often how titles come to me – they’re just “there”
I’ve RT this on Twitter because now I am really curious if there is a titling affliction out there.
George
That’s awesome, George. I can’t wait to see where this comment thread ends up!
*smiles*
Michele
I think I’m lucky being a mostly humor writer and having a bit more freedom to play with my titles. That said, I don’t try to be outrageous for the sake of being outrageous, trite or do the whole fake out thing.
Heh, you’ve now inspired me to write another post in my “Why I Hate My Message Board” series – perhaps I’ll call it “You Need To Learn To Title Your Crap, Yo!”
Tracy´s last blog post..Just call me Tracy’s Mom, Jr.
Tracy,
All right! Take the ball and run with it over there – I’ll go have a little look-see later on.
I gotta sub teach today. Yikes, what do Kindergartners do for PE? Duck-duck-goose?
Me teaching PE classes. Oh THAT’s a hoot. Poster child for what NOT to do…
G
Hi George,
Clever title and article, along with solid advice. Great job of practicing what you “preach.”
Rather than one format or style, I use a variety and go with the one I think best suits the post. Brevity is always a good thing whenever possible.
I find myself sweating over this at times, but some topics / posts just call for “more.” In the end, I go with the number and combination of words that I feel will do the best job of piquing the readers’ interests and/or curiosity, as well as clearly convey what they’ll be getting.
And I always come up with a solid working title, if not the final one, before I write even one word of the post. Building the post around my title keeps me focused, on topic and “honest.”
MaryAnne´s last blog post..The Accidental Profiteer
“Sumbitches”? “Rocket surgery”? Wasn’t expecting that and laughed like a banshee. Almost spewed my coffee onto my computer screen.
I try to encourage my readers to pay special attention to their titles but I have to admit that I suck at titling myself sometimes.
Anyhoo, I’m sorry I missed this blog until now. Found you through Men With Pens too. Off to subscribe.
You certainly grabbed my attention. Once I got past the ‘what happened to his spellchecker’ part, I was captivated by your choice captioning! For my own posts I go for something with a twist every now and then — like ‘why Google Friends don’t connect’, but try to keep titles short [fewer promises that way!] I notice it’s hard to read your title out loud, and repeat fast 3 times — same with Michele’s “Hillbilly Heaven Herbs”. Am I missing a trend here? lol
sba´s last blog post..6 Fun Image Generators For Bloggers
Hi Mary Anne.
So glad you came by. I think we are on the same page as far as titles go. They really are important in so many ways.
I’ll be getting in touch in the next few days.
Cheers
George
Hehe,
Cassie, I’m sorry but if you think you may be a regular around these parts, I gotta warn ya I pop off with those little devils now and then.
Glad to see you heading over after Men with Pens, heck any friend of James and Harry is a friend o’ mine!
Thanks for the subscribe and I do believe I’ll be heading on over to “Mama’s” place
Cheers!
George
Sba,
Ha! Now that you mention it, I’m not sure I could say that title three times fast – Unless I had a pint or two in me
Ya know, I had just recently read Michele’s post about her Mom’s gig. Perhaps a subconscious mind meld took place…
Thanks a bunch for stopping in, hope to see more of ya.
Cheers!
George
Oh, how funny! This is good conversation going on here, George! I hadn’t thought of your three T’s and my mom’s three H’s jumping out like Sba mentioned. How fun!
*giggles*
Michele
Michele´s last blog post..Featured Health Site: Hillbilly Heaven Herbs
Hehe.
Yeah, Michele, it’s a beaut!
There is some con-neck-tivity goin’ on fer sure!
Too fun.
George
LOL
Yer one fine hillbilly talker, George. Why, if I do say so myself, I’d say yer a pro-fesh-onal fer sure!
*cackling*
Michele
Michele´s last blog post..Featured Health Site: Hillbilly Heaven Herbs
I think you bring up a good point about titles that they need to be catchy, but not tricky. I know we’ve all clicked on a title only to find out the story is about something totally unrelated, leaves a bad taste in my mouth that is for sure. I’ve been going with “Just tell the reader what the story is about” kind of titles, titilating – no, safe – yes.
“Sumbitches” had me laughing pretty hard, think you can work “Sumbitches” into a title?
Matt
Matt| Small Biz Bee´s last blog post..Passion Isn’t Static, Neither is Your Business
Matt,
I’ll work on gettin’ that “sumbitch” into a title. When it makes it there, you’ll be the first to know.
Cheers
George
I am terrible at developing titles. Every once in a while I resort to throwing the word, “porn” in just to get some hits. I’m a sad, sad woman.
George:
your post section is getting to be quite a list, better be quick to be at the top!
Where is the golf here!!
I love titles, creative titles. I also write a post from a title – a cliche’ of sorts…also from a graphic…jow’s that for therapy?
Dee Langdon – BloggerNewbie´s last blog post..Do You Write Your Posts Each Day Or For The Week?
Yolander,
You done got me LOLing!
I’ll have to figure out how to work a triple X into a title just to see the google numbers!
You no sad! You funny!
George
I think so long as it sounds interesting and useful, you’ll be all right. I don’t like obscure title, personally. I like to have an idea of what I’m going to get when I click through. As for SEO, I think it’s a good idea to try and include one of your keywords in there, but that’s it. Don’t go overboard!
Iain Broome´s last blog post..Recommended reading for writers – January 2009
Hi Iain,
Thanks for dropping by, hope all is well.
Yeah, I think you pretty much nailed it on the head for what should be a good titling strategy. I do try and get a keyword into the title if I can manage.
Cheers!
George