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More Than the Perfect Headline
The perfect headline plus 2 little ingredients equal the perfect postI am currently subscribed to over 200 blogs in my Google Reader. Although I am tempted to delete a few of the “annoying” bloggers from the list I feel that there must have been a reason that I subscribed to them in the first place so I might as well just let them hang around a little. Who gets read first I will always start with my favorite bloggers. I know they regularly give valuable information and will not waste my time. EVEN if their headlines don’t attract my attention I will still read their posts because I don’t want to miss anything important. (I think that really says something). 2. The blogs of my friends (online business friends) and those who comment on my blog I owe it it my readers and my friends to read their blogs. Although I know not every post I read will be valuable I think it is important to support the community. 3. The attention headline grabbers After I read all the blogs in step 1 and 2, I will go down and click on every blog in alphabetical order to see if there are any headlines that stick out to me. If the headline looks good I will read the first paragraph or so of the post. If it hasn’t grabbed my attention by then I will probably move on to the next good headline. (I know I can miss out on some really great posts this way but I am not always very patient). 4. The bloggers “I’m supposed to” read I don’t know why but bloggers like Shoemoney and John Chow don’t grab my attention. But, I will still read almost every one of their posts (If I have the time). The perfect ingredients 1. Compelling headline I know after reading these three ingredients most of you are saying “Duh”. But, why is it that so many people write keyword stuffed garbage that gives no useful information. It’s easy to preach “don’t write for the search engines” but how many of you practice it? Please take the time and look over some of your posts. See if your readers are really going to get value.
6 Responses to “More Than the Perfect Headline”Post Comments |
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Carl this is a relly great post! It sounds like you read blogs in the same manner as I do. I add to the list that I skip past all post are selling me a make money scheme or membership forums for $1.95 per month etc. as well.
Problogger is a must read for me as well, I go to John Chow to read Mick Kwans reviews and to see who is commenting there so I can jump hop.
Shoemoney really does not capture my attention at all.
P.S. I noticed you don’t have a About page. Why is that?
Ms. Freeman´s last blog ..Free Ad Space!
I also use the same to decide which post i read.
Dana @ Online Knowledge´s last blog ..Atahualpa 3.4.4 Configuration
I know you don’t mention this, but, the look of the website is also very important to me. If the text is hard to read I sure won’t be going back to the page again. You’re right on all your other points too, some people don’t manage to write very compelling headlines, or good content for that matter. Problogger is okay… a lot of his stuff is rehashed from previous posts, I mean there is only so much he can talk about. Copyblogger is one of my absolute favorite, Derek Powazek is interesting… when he actually posts something.
Justin´s last blog ..With mobile browsing growing in the US, how do you adapt?
@justin I read most of the websites through my Google RSS reader so font size doesn’t matter that much to me.
I do agree with your Problogger comment. Yes it’s rehash, but, it’s good refresher.
I occasionally read Darren’s blog.
Curious, does my first paragraph want to make you read on?
Rose DesRochers´s last blog ..Sesame Street Trivia- Sesame Street 40th anniversary
@Ms Freeman I just put up an About Me page. I didn’t realize I didn’t have one. There used to be one there.
@Rose I always enjoy reading your blog. (Except of course when it gets too R Rated) LOL