Comments on: Why Magnetic Headlines Attract More Readers

By: links for 2006-09-07 - Buzzsonic.com

links for 2006-09-07 - Buzzsonic.com — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 05:05:13 +0000

[...] Why Magnetic Headlines Attract More Readers | Copyblogger [...]

By: 3 Headline Resources That Will Make You a Millionaire | ranktopseo.com

3 Headline Resources That Will Make You a Millionaire | ranktopseo.com — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 04:12:27 +0000

[...] – Why Magnetic Headlines Attract More Readers [...]

By: Are Headlines Tangling Your Readers? » The Michel Fortin Blog

Are Headlines Tangling Your Readers? » The Michel Fortin Blog — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 03:15:15 +0000

[...] Inspired by Brian Clark who rewired post headlines on his own blog for fun, and explained why magnetic headlines attract more readers by giving his reasoning with each suggestion, I’m prepared to do the same. [...]

By: Dermacia

Dermacia — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 11:12:02 +0000

This post, however off-topic it may be, is about Internet freedom. \”Network Neutrality\” — the First Amendment of the Internet — ensures that the public can view the smallest blog just as easily as the largest corporate Web site by preventing Internet companies like AT&T from rigging the playing field for only the highest-paying sites.

But Internet providers like AT&T, Verizon and Comcast are spending millions of dollars lobbying Congress to gut Net Neutrality. If Congress doesn\’t take action now to implement meaningful Net Neutrality provisions, the future of the Internet is at risk.

In the end game, only large companies will afford domains if the communications monopolies have their way with this. This of course isnt new news, but its coming to a head and blogs like this one will be a ghosttown unless all of us figure it our pretty darn quick. I wont post any links, but advise that if you value the internet, and blogs likw this one, that you search Google for \”Network Neutrality\” and educate yourself on this issue as it effects all of us.

By: J David

J David — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 12:24:56 +0000

Oh man, I passed right over that headline a few days ago. I was reading the newspaper on the subway on my way to school, and I remember the headline being more like the first example. I thought to myself, “Who cares?…” I am not trying to disrespect the family. Its just I was wondering why this was in a Boston newspaper. It makes a lot more sense now…
I mean, I still don’t care that much, seeing as I wasn’t alive anywhere near the time, but a lot of people around here certainly did. You just made an excellent point about the headline though.

By: Romerican

Romerican — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 18:27:39 +0000

Nice, humble post. Brings home the credibility.

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 16:21:33 +0000

I love addtional perspective Dina.

This was more of a “thought” post rather than a “how to” post. And my point in the comments was that I’ve written extensively on headlines in the past, so for the SEO folks and you to come in (as an admitted non-reader) guns a blazing seems to look opportunistic rather than helpful.

But, I could be wrong. I am quite a bit.

By: Dina at Wordfeeder.com

Dina at Wordfeeder.com — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 15:52:37 +0000

Brian, I’m sorry; it wasn’t right of me to “speak for you” as a non-regular reader of this blog, was it? Who am I to suggest what point YOU are making?

You asked:

Am I only talking about NEWS headlines specifically here, Dina?

Well, it appears that way after reading your two news headline examples and hearing you mention that “keywords” are not part of the point you’re making. But you can always add other examples to further support your general statement.

But with respect to your point, which was that headlines “should tell the big story,” of course that’s a general psychological tactic behind ALL headline writing. Of course I agree with it.

Headlines should tell PART of the story and then lead the reader to want to read more.

And, no, I didn’t say, “What you’re saying doesn’t apply outside of news.” I said the RULES change depending on what type of headline you’re writing.

But in mentioning “the rules,” I was actually thinking about semantics, like second person vs. third person perspective, asking a question vs. telling the facts, using the comma splice in news headlines (it’s not really appropriate anywhere else).

Just adding another perspective… hope that’s cool with you, Brian.

By: SEO Montreal

SEO Montreal — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 22:21:39 +0000

From an interest point of view it’s important to tell the big story, but you’d have to know what people are looking for, SEO wise. If you knew they were looking for Nellie Connaly, you’d put her name in the title. If JFK limo and related words were what was searched for, that’s what you’d be looking for.

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 18:54:44 +0000

Am I only talking about NEWS headlines specifically here, Dina?

I don’t think so.

And what I’m saying doesn’t apply outside of news?

Are you saying you don’t write headlines that tell a big compelling story to entice people to read further?

Really?