7 Catchy Headlines That Will Explode Your Views
Grab these templates — the most popular writers use them!
I know why you’re here.
Just like me, you want more eyes on your articles.
Don’t deny it — there’s no shame in it! I know you’ve put a lot of time and effort into your writing, and you really want people to see it.
You want that irresistible headline that gets readers clicking.
Well, you’re in luck.
I’ve also been searching for the secret formula, combing hundreds of Medium articles to find out what attracts attention, and I reckon I’ve found some prime examples.
So, with that preface out of the way, let’s get into it.
1. X THINGS THAT WILL PROVIDE A TANGIBLE BENEFIT
This one’s an old standard on the internet.
People want to know what an article will give them.
More importantly, people deal in specifics. They want to know what they’re getting — whether it’s habits, tips or rules — and they want to know how much of it they’ll get.
That last bit is why numbers get them clicking.
Examples
- 9 Little Behaviours That Attract Future Wealth To You by Eve Arnold
- 5 Tips To Write 2 Articles Per Day by Veronica Llorca-Smith
- 10 Psychological Hacks You Must Know to Control Any Situation by Kurtis Pykes
2. HOW TO ACHIEVE SOMETHING IN X AMOUNT OF TIME
Similar to the first template, these headlines use a time-specific promise to entice readers.
Readers want to know how to do something, sure.
But they’re also busy people! They want to know how long it’s going to take.
These headlines fulfill that dual role. Instead of making vague promises, they tell you exactly how much time and effort your goal’s going to take.
Examples
- How To Make People Respect You In Seconds by Luay Rahil
- How To Smash Your Life Goals In 6 Months by Scott Stockdale
3. HERE’S THE REAL REASON THIS INTERESTING THING HAPPENS
Curiosity is another powerful driver.
These headlines pique your interest by asking an interesting question. They make you stop and ask yourself why is making small talk so hard? Or what makes happily married people cheat?
I didn’t even know this was a powerful headline the first time I used it. The result? An article that earned me more than $700.
The proof is in the viral article, people! This one works.
Examples
- The Real Reason No One Is Reading Your Writing by Derek Hughes
- The Real Reason You’re Happier When You Travel by Eric Weiner
- Here’s The Real Reason Why Men Stay With Women They Hate by Ossiana Tepfenhart
4. X LESSONS I LEARNED FROM DOING SOMETHING
The appeal of these headlines lies in their credibility.
They let writers note how they made an extra $2,000 in the last month or read 100 books in the last year.
The implicit promise is that they can teach others to do the same.
Their lessons will show readers what steps to mimic, what mistakes to avoid and what they should expect. It’s pretty hard to pass up on something so comprehensive!
Examples
- 7 Lessons From My First $50+ Article On Medium by The Life Project
- 5 Lessons That Helped Me Build A Six-Figure One-Person Business by Jari Roomer
5. I DID SOMETHING USING SPECIAL TECHNIQUES
These headlines also work hard to establish the author’s credibility.
However, they’re not nearly so coy about how the author achieved it. They state outright that it was due to some kind of rule or technique.
You have solid methods instead of vague lessons. The payoff is clearer for the reader, even if a bit of the mystery is lost.
Examples
- I Grew My Email List To 600+ With 4 Crucial Components by Carl Jeffers
- How I Became A Better Writer Using The 50% Rule by
Eduard Nicoara - How I Built A Network Worth $50 Million In A Few Months Using 3 Tactics by Vaibhav Namburi
6. DON’T MAKE THIS SCARY MISTAKE
These headlines add a dash of fear into the mix. They get us wondering if maybe we’re making some terrible mistake.
Of course, curiosity is still the main motivation. We want to know if we’re one of the clever few who already avoided the mistake. Or, if we’re charging headlong into disaster, we want advice on changing course.
Whatever the case? It’s a pretty irresistible lure.
With so many headlines promising a positive benefit, a bit of well-placed negativity can really set you apart.
Examples
- This Ridiculous Mistake Killed My Read Ratio by Viktoria Marty
- Don’t Make This Mistake When Reuploading Your Story Or You Could Lose Your Account by Ossai Chinedum
7. I DID AN INTERESTING THING AND HERE’S WHAT HAPPENED
I picked up this last one from Hudson Rennie.
These headlines tackle topics from a personal angle, inviting the reader to witness their experiment.
Unsurprisingly, these articles often make good candidates for Medium’s Boost Program. They center the writer’s personal experience and offer a good deal of originality.
Anyone who’s wondering if a heavy metal concert or mountain climbing is really for them now has something to settle the matter.
That’s some pretty good value, if you ask me!
Examples
- I Wrote On Medium Everyday In January 2023. Here’s What Happened. by Shaunta Grimes
- Here’s What Happened When I Quit Wearing Makeup In My YouTube Videos by Zulie Rane
- I Stopped Trying to Quit Coffee. Here’s What Happened. by Hudson Rennie
So, there you have it.
Seven catchy headlines with a proven track record.
Of course, there are plenty of unique headlines that garner thousands of clicks. Not every article that goes viral will fall into a simple template.
It’s always worth experimenting with your headlines. Make them bold, witty, unusual.
But if you’re ever struggling to come up with something original?
The above headlines will give you a serious chance of getting eyes on your article.
