The Science of Writing Must-Click Headlines on Social Media
by Courtney Seiter
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What Is Buffer? It’s This…
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But Also…
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1. Words That Work (and Why)
2. The Psychology of Why We Click
3. How To Test For Yourself
4. Tips and Resources
Headline Science
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1. Words That Work
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Source: Buffer
Most Popular Words in Viral Headlines
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Most Popular Phrases in Viral Headlines
@courtneyseiter Source: Buffer
The 20 Words and Phrases That Get The Most Retweets
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Source: https://econsultancy.com
28 Outperforming Adjectives at Econsultancy
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Source: http://www.startupmoon.com/
Most Viral Words of 100 Tech Blogs
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2. Psychology of Why We Click
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Superlatives
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@courtneyseiter Source: http://www.conductor.com/
Surprise
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Questioning
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“Do You Close the Bathroom Door Even When You’re the Only One Home?”
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Curiosity
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Negatives
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How To
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Numbers
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@courtneyseiter Source: http://www.conductor.com/
Audience Referencing
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Source: http://www.tandfonline.com/
“Is this your new iPhone4?”
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Specificity
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@courtneyseiter Source: http://www.conductor.com/
3. Test For Yourself
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@courtneyseiter Source: http://www.slideshare.net/
Write Multiple Headlines for Each Post
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(It Might Be a Bit Exhausting)
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+
Then Test The Best Contenders
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…To Find Your Winner
Audience Referencing vs. Non: Huge Change!
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Number vs. Superlative: Number Wins!
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How to + !Superlative
Numbers !+ Specificity
Audience !Referencing +!
Superlative
Question + !Superlative
Endless Possibilities….
Source: http://andrewchen.co/
Test Ideas For Posts, Too
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@courtneyseiter Source: Buffer
Look For Social Media Traction
Now We Know It’ll Connect
4. Tips and Resources
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@courtneyseiter Source: http://www.conductor.com/
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@courtneyseiter Source: http://www.outbrain.com
Source: http://www.outbrain.com @courtneyseiter
16 words 86 characters
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Email: [email protected] Twitter: @courtneyseiter Website: bufferapp.com ! Find this recorded #Mozinar and slide deck at http://moz.com/webinars very soon!