Are you a hooker? If you aren't, you need to be! What? What am I talking about??? I'm talking about hooking, of course! Hooking your readers with an attention-getting headline or title.

:-D

Well, it got you in here to read this post, didn't it? That's actually my first example. Here's a few ideas and reasons why I feel this is what it takes to make killer article headlines:

1. Provocative, maybe even controversial headlines will get attention because of their natural shock value. People are curious when they are shocked. Weren't you a bit titillated by my title for this post? Well, you're here reading it, so I already have my answer.

Now, shock is good, but there's one caveat: Don't Offend. I once had an article submitted to QualityArticles that was titled 'Say Goodbye To Your Future Babies' and was about birth control. I let that one sit in que for awhile as I mulled it over. The more I thought about it, the more I was offended. I ultimately rejected the article.

2. How-To's. When someone heads out onto the Internet in search of information, more times than not, they're looking to learn HOW TO do something. If you post your title as "How To X"--where X is whatever you write about--they'll know that you are promising to teach them exactly what they are looking for.

3. Top Ten lists. Every body loves these. My guess, here, is that they hoped to be entertained as well as educated and lists are always the easiest to read. Not saying your readers are lazy, but everyone is pressed for time these days! My article, Top 8 Reasons For Article Marketing, drew a significant readership when I posted it and I suspect that was the reason why.

4. Make A Promise. "Here's How You Can Cure Athlete's Foot" is going to draw more interest than "Fungal Infections Of The Feet" because it promises to help the reader get rid of athlete's foot. I believe you can see the wisdom in that, can't you. And if you make a promise like that in your title, be certain you follow thru and deliver!

5. Ask a question. If it's something the reader is already asking, then, once again, you've made a promise to deliver something they're looking for. "Are You A Hooker?" falls under this category, too, but what I'm talking about is a title like, "Are You Worried About Rising Gas Prices?" I mean, who isn't, right? Doesn't this pique your curiosity? "How Can We Guarantee You A 6-figure Income?" would definitely do the same thing.

Your goal is to catch the reader's attention. In all likelihood, the title or headline will be your ONLY chance to catch their attention as they surf the World Wide Web. Keep in mind that you must make it as easy for your readers as possible, while keeping it interesting, and they will come running.