Ever come up completely blank for a blog topic?
You’re itching to get a quality post out, something that attracts attention and enhances your blogging profile. But you just can’t seem to come up with anything compelling.
Here’s a technique that may work for you, and you’ll owe your success to that bastion of respectable women’s journalism, Cosmopolitan.
Back during the Magnetic Headlines series, I wrote an article entitled Why You Should Always Write Your Headline First. The idea is that your headline makes a promise that your sales copy or content must fulfill, so a smartly written article headline tells you exactly what the content must provide to the reader in order to keep the promise you made.
Writing your headline first might not work for everyone, but you can get ideas for articles and posts by looking at compelling headlines and adapting them to match your topic.
That’s where Cosmo comes in.
It doesn’t have to be Cosmo, of course. Stop by a news stand and check out the headlines on the cover of any consumer-oriented magazine. They’re all written by pros who make good money getting people to pick up periodicals and drop them in the grocery basket.
I like Cosmo because the subject matter is so lurid, it makes things fun. So let’s see what blog topics we can come up with from the December 2007 issue of Cosmopolitan, and hand them out to various bloggers to see if they can come up with the corresponding post.
Cosmo Headline – “The 22 Best Relationship Tips Ever”
Hey, Brian Gardner… can you write us this post?
My 22 Best Design Tips Ever
Feel free to change the number if you need to, but I’m betting you’ve got 22.
Cosmo Headline – “Guys Spill: White Lies They Tell Women All the Time”
Jim Cronin, dare to write this one?
Realtors Revealed: The Little White Lies We Tell Clients (And How to Stop)
Remember, I used to be a broker, so I’ll know if you’re holding back. 
Cosmo Headline – “Get Ahead Faster: 12 Brilliant (and Slightly Badass) Ways to Do It”
As I recall, Ryan Holiday is an avid runner. I run only if chased, but I’d still like to see this one:
Run Faster: 12 Effective (and Slightly Badass) Ways to Just Do It
Bonus points if one of the tips involves smoking while sprinting (you’ll understand that one when you visit Ryan’s blog).
Cosmo Headline – “Your Sexual Health: Crucial New Facts Your Gyno Forgot to Mention”
Hey Roberta Rosenberg, where ya been? How about this as a Copyblogger guest post?
Headline Help: Crucial Tips That Brian Clark Forgot to Mention
The things I won’t endure to motivate guest writers are getting fewer and farther between.
Cosmo Headline – “A Shocking Thing 68% of Chicks Do in Bed”
I got a bit stuck on this one, and had to actually read the article. It’s a sex survey of women that reveals all sorts of interesting information.
68% huh?
Sweet.
What About You?
Can you take one of these Cosmo headlines and apply it your blog topic? If so, write it up and drop your link in the comments here.
For more on headlines, check out the Magnetic Headlines series.
Bookmark and Promote!
Related Articles
Copyblogger runs on the Thesis Theme for WordPress
Thesis is the search engine optimized WordPress theme of choice for serious online publishers. If you’re a blogger who doesn’t understand a lot of PHP, Thesis will give you a ton of functionality without having to alter any code. For the advanced, Thesis has incredible customization possibilities via Thesis hooks.
With so many design options, you can use the template over and over and never have it look like the same site. The theme is robust and flexible enough not only to accommodate a site like Copyblogger, but also to enable the site to run far more efficiently than it ever has before.
{ 109 trackbacks }
{ 90 comments… read them below or add one }
What’s your deadline, Brian?
No specific deadline, just within the next week or so would be nice.
Taking a shot at the Gyno line now…
Great inspiration, Brian. I almost let my dinner go cold writing my entry.
Talk Like an Online Marketing Pro- 10 Terms You Have to Know.
Work, work, and more work – that’s where I’ve been. Some of it on my next Maven Makeover (look for it this week!)
And why do I get the gyno thing … is it because I’m the only girl on the list?
Anyway, you’re on! (Hanukkah starts tomorrow eve and I’m on latke duty,) but the challenge is my first priority for Wednesday.
Now if if I can just extricate myself from these stirrups ….
Oh, and I read the same issue of Cosmo you did. My husband had to explain the term since, well … never mind, I’m too much a lady to discuss it
Brian
Nice post. Great minds think alike!
All the best,
Paul
*cough cough* That so, Roberta?
Great minds think alike. Love what you did with it!
5 Ways You Can Make Your Blogging Grooovy
James, I merely signify. I leave the rest to your own imagination
Ahh!
That was great inspiration on how to come up with a saucy-spicy way to grab the reader’s attention.
Thanks.
“Ten steps to shrug off those spammers after the winter” and “5 tricks to get that Brian Clark to link you”
Clever idea, I like it.
Dude ! I am so gonna write two that you’ll be proud of !
Thanks for the invite and can a brother get two Link Karmas, if both are worthy ?
Love it! As a journalism student, headlines were my Achilles Heel. They still are. Thanks for the invitation to ramp it up. Here’s my entry:
http://vivelaslink.typepad.com/vive_la_slink/
Hey Brian, thanks for letting me play. Will have fun with this one!
Your series of articles on striking headlines have opened my mind towards a different way of thinking while writing.
I used to write 3 word headlines which now look not only confusing to me but also dull. Now I have started to write headlines like how to… and 7 ways …. They re not perfect yet but they look more attractive for sure.
Thnks for this one. cosmo headlines definitely succeed in forcing me to open the magazine. But I never thought of getting blog inspiration from that…
way to go..
These could just as easily be Digg Frontpage Headlines
LOL:
I loved this entry. One of the most comical (and perhaps useful!) I’ve read in a while
Great resources to start building your swipe file and to create a collection of tested and proven headlines.
Hey, no holding back. What exactly do 68% of women do in bed? My subscription to Cosmo expired unfortunately.
Every time I’m in the checkout line at the Supermarket I read the headlines on the magazines for inspiration. Oprah’s magazine usually has good titles.
Sex does sell, doesn’t it…
Great idea. I used it to write a post I’ve had banging around my noggin for a while.
Check it out: Tweet Better: 9 Unconventional (and Slightly Badass) Ways to use Twitter
Thanks for the idea jumpstart!
I think Michelle of Bloggrrl has written a similar post some time ago.
Well, I’ve been using this technique for ages … it works regularly for me … It works for posts as well, but it takes some more care …
———————————————————–
http://www.newmediatype.com – web entrepreneur’s blog..
Voila, mon ami (translation: Dude, here’s my stab at it.)
You should make this a weekly routine. It was fun and challenging!
Your Mental Health as a Writer
Great idea!
I tried this one for MetBlogs – Nashvile: Things They Don’t Tell You About Nashville Before You Move Here.
Bonus points if you’re from Nashville and can add on something onto our list!
Took a show at the “Get Ahead Faster: 12 Brilliant (and Slightly Badass) Ways to Do It” headline, and came up with this:
12 Effective (and Slightly Badass) Ways to be the Sexiest Guy in the Room
Enjoy!
Alex
Hi Brian,
Great post, got me thinking! Here’s my post:
My 17 Best Business Tips for Real Estate Agents
(Didn’t know you were a former member of the flock.
Best,
Irene
I was awake in the middle of the night, new and better headlines crowding the pillow. I was forced out of the cozy zone and to the computer.
Thanks for the inspiration on headlines though I hope it doesn’t keep me from sleeping!
Cynthia
Great ideas, Brian. Thanks! What else do you read besides Cosmo…?
Shocking: 68% of Bloggers Do This in Bed
Brian,
Challenge accepted. Look for the link back this week.
“Realtors Revealed” it is!
I have an ongoing series based on this technique. Your post got me off the dime to post the latest:
7 Reasons Florida is Better Than North Carolina
Thanks!
5 Lies Your OB Tells You
Great post! I used the inspiration right away for my latest post:
Home Schooling Mom Spills Secret: “I don’t record grades until high school!“
I love a good challenge. This one was fun:
The 22 Best Writing Tips Ever
It’s true, starting with a headline can generate a stronger piece.
-Melissa Donovan
Writing FORWARD
And here I thought Cosmo never offered anything worth reading!
I really like the headline formulas you’ve picked out here – I once read somewhere that it should take you half the time you wrote the post (or more) to develop a killer headline. I’ve always had trouble with “grabbing” headlines, unfortunately.
So I’ve decided to take your challenge… It’s not *exactly* the formula of the Cosmo headlines you’ve supplied, but very close:
5 traits of successful people and how to apply them in your life
Chanel
chanelwood.com
Ok then, here are 7 Motivational Quotes To Start Your Day, Everyday!
SJ
Personal Development for the Book Smart
Better late than never, right? Here’s my post.
Let’s face it, “22 Best Tips” for anything but relationships is not the same as “A shocking thing 68% of chicks do in bed.” Some fields are better suited to this approach than others. Hmmm… I’d need something like “Sex, Drugs, and Lost Dogs: Character Education in Middle School Unveiled.” Or maybe “12 Shocking Ways to Get Teens Really Excited about Math.” “Eureka: Things Philosophers Have Thought Up While Naked.” Okay. I think I’m getting the hang of it.
My blog would definitely be banned in schools if I did that, though.
How about this?
Blogging for Influence – A Crucial Tip That Brian Clark Forgot to Mention About the Long Tail
All success
Dr.Mani
Rebecca, the idea is to take the structure and then make it tone-appropriate for your subject matter. For example:
12 Easy Ways to Get Teens Excited About Math
Eureka: A Real Life Guide to Practical Application of Major Philosophical Principles
And so on… Anyone can use this technique, as long as they have an open mind about it.
Here are my 22 tips for meeting planners. A fun challenge!
Cindy B.
Great post and thanks for the opportunity. I just checked in to your blog for the first time in months and will start subscribing now. I started working on this post yesterday and was glad for the inspiration for the headline:
Your Back Pain: Crucial Facts Your Doc Forgot To Tell You
Hee, this is way too entertaining. I’ve got the header, now I’ve gotta write the post . . .
OK, that was fun.
Your Business’s Health: Crucial Facts Your Ad Agency Forgot to Mention
Hey Brian, that’s a really useful piece of advice.
I don’t know if this has already been mentioned or not… but you can access just about any magazine cover you want without leaving your chair.
Just go to:
http://www.magazines.com
And click on the covers.
You’ll get the current month cover of any magazine they sell — including Cosmo.
Ben, that’s awesome. I didn’t know you could do that.
Hey Brian,
It’s definitely a great headline “cheat sheet”.
Another one is to go to google.com, click on “images” and then type in “Cosmo”. That’ll also give you a bunch of good headlines to look at.
Both those resources make finding great headline ideas super fast and easy.
Hi Copyblogger,
I took your advice and published a post using Cosmo as my sampler (10 things women crave in bed). Take a look:
http://beadweaver.blogspot.com/2007/12/10-things-beaders-love-for-christmas.html
I’ve used this “assignment” to kick off a brand new blog.
My contribution: Blog designers revealed: the little white lies we tell clients (and what we really mean)
My effort is here – 10 things readers crave in bed: http://writemindset.com/writing/49/10-things-readers-crave.html
This was great fun – can we do this every week?
Dang! I read this post and just HAD to write something!
Here it is: “My 22 Best On-Camera Interviewing Tips Ever”
If you ever have to capture a remarkable story from someone for the camera, stop by and grab my list.
You’ll be glad you did!
Thanks, Brian!
Ben, that is a fantastic tip, thanks so much for posting it!
And thanks to Brian for this inspiration, as that ad agency post has been getting a lot of nice attention.
Okay, Brian … here’s my headline:
“Your Copy Career : Mega Performance Secrets Your Creative Director Forgot to Mention … But These Porn Stars Will!”
I didn’t call my post this because I didn’t want salacious Google Adsense ads appearing :=)
In Praise of Older Women: Reframe the Perception, Refresh the Persona »
Well, although I had already written and titled the post something else, I think I’ll rename it:
Why I blog like Jethro Bodine
Now that’s a post title I’d click on!
Thanks for this great idea. My article is here.
Great post, Brian. Here’s my version for my music promotion blog:
Book More Shows: The 10 Best Music Gig Books Ever
Here goes!
The 22 Best Study Tips Ever
Right, let’s give this a shot:
The 22 Best Study Tips Ever
I wonder if I can pull off “Deep Copywriting: Techniques that Are So Intense, You’ll Reach a New Level of Profitability”
That’s a great idea for coming up with posts and titles. Thanks!
How about Pull Ahead Faster: 7 Simple (And Cheap) Ways To Market Your Small Business Online
Hey Brian,
Great challenge. And I think Roberta was the perfect one for the gyno example. I bet she can do 20 minutes on it without breaking a sweat.
Here’s my entry:
Consumers Spill: White Lies They Tell Businesses/Business Owners All the Time.
http://www.drewsmarketingminute.com/2007/12/consumers-spill.html
Thanks!
Drew
Hi Brian, that was a great challenge. Brightened up a grey Sunday no end.
Here’s mine: how to be a total reader magnet
With much inspiration from Copyblogger, of course.
Joanna
Fun challenge, here goes:
Six Ways To Keep Your Lover And Blog Readers Clamoring For More
Brian, you’re so brainy….in a good way. Thanks for a great challenge.
My 10 Best Web Marketing Tips Ever
http://webservant.proimpact.com/2007/12/my_10_best_web_marketing_tips.html
Anything with CIA in it is a Cosmo headline I suspect…
Here is one attempt, heading up the recent waterboarding interview techniques reported by the Washington Post recently.
“We are Better Behaved These Days” – CIA
Thanks for the tips. This technique made the posts almost write themselves! Here’s one from my blog
Debt Collectors Revealed — Five Lies We Tell Consumers (And How To Stop Them)
This worked just great for me.
Big merci!
5 Reasons To Love The Eiffle Tower
Carolg
Had fun using the Cosmo title technique: http://c2e.typepad.com/prosperitee
Tim
Duh, I should have given the title:
Timbo’s Most Creative End-of-Year Questions Ever!
Your (Employee) Engagement Guaranteed! Ask and Answer These 4 Questions.
That’s the title. It’s a takeoff on Cosmopolitan’s online “Your Orgasm — Guaranteed!
We have seven positions that have been tweaked and tailored by sex experts to help you reach the peak every single time — plus, a few extra tricks so the road to bliss is even more of a sure thing.”
Whew.
I just used this technique again, for “The Most Satisfying Sexual Postion,” morphed to “The Most Satisfying Marketing Position.”
I’ve just added a post “27 Things To Worry About” at my blog – http://www.theworryblog.com – having been inspired by your Cosmo headlines
Great article and so inspiring! Love the approach, next to finding it seriously entertaining. Especially good to overcome the seriousness one can drop into when feeling all creativity is dried up. Thanks!
I’m a new reader who just completed the Cosmo remix so I thought I’d go back into your archives and complete the original challenge. I changed the number to 25 because I couldn’t restrain myself.
The 25 Best Pedicure Tips Ever
I’m usually reject the urge to make unsubstantiated claims like “best” in my content out of hand, but I have to admit: “The 25 Pretty Darn Good Pedicure Tips At Least Some of Which You Probably Haven’t Heard of Before” just isn’t as catchy.
Top Ten Spanish Drinking Experiences:
http://spainforvisitors.com/Article210.htm
Assuming you find at least one appropriate survey or study –or can create one — that “shocking” headline would work great in our industry! Try these on for size:
“A Shocking Thing xx% of Telecommuters Do on the Clock” …for an ethics article.
“A Shocking Thing xx% of Writers Do When They’re Behind Schedule” …for an article on improving your efficiency.
“A Shocking Thing xx% of Reviewers Do With Your Documents” …for an article about working with engineers & product managers.
I can’t wait to try writing email subject headers this way…
Well said about headlines! Thanks for a great article.
Wonderful Idea!
Have you ever counted the number of times the word ’sex’ is used in a cosmo cover? Combine that with scantily clad ladies, you’d think they were selling to guys!
Anyway, here’s my first attempt:
New Internet Marketing Trend : Rollover Flashvertisements and what it means for you and your audience
Note to self: use fewer words.
I really enjoyed this article. Thank you for the excellent information.
I just wrote my 22 Best Sweepstakes Tips Ever. Thanks for the inspiration!
68%?
I like that it’s 68 not 69, it makes me look twice.
Tips for Girl’s Night Out
Thanks for the inspiration! Used it to write Some surprising info about 54% of the comics we ship, which is kinda dull but still better than what I had before.
Great article!
I definitely will be writing a lot headlines this week.
I try to keep away from magazines like Cosmo as much as possible, but their headlines are really good. Thanks for putting those headlines together – they’ve given me some ideas without having to dig through that glossy.
Is it a coincidence that Perry Marshall also uses Cosmo for great headlines? Luckily for me my girlfriend has a bunch of these mags laying around so I don’t have to buy them myself. haha.
Wow! Those are excellent. I’ve got a few blog posts scheduled to go up. I’m going to tweak the titles using these examples and work on the content a little more to suit the titles. This is a great challenge.
i think its really good thing to make a good headline
but if have a web site or blog with more competitive topic then how can i optimize my headline..help me i have no traffic to blog..