Every post needs to start with a catchy headline. More than anything else, a headline determines whether or not a viewer will read your post.

Here are the Top 4 Rules for writing blog headlines:

1. Be clear (not cute or obscure)

Generally, we’re talking about a noun, in this case “headlines.” An example of a far weaker headline would be “Top 4 Ingredients in My Secret Sauce.”

2. Use a question

Every headline can’t employ every rhetorical device, but a viable option in this case might have been “Want to Write Better Headlines?”

3. Numbers create interest

Tried and true attention-getter. Works in email subject lines, direct mail and good old television advertising, as in “99 44/100% Pure” for Ivory Soap.

4. Keep it brief - 50 characters or less including spaces

Work your headline down to it’s shortest possible length. For some great headline writing, check out the New York Daily News or this from todays New York Post:

Pray Ball

Yanks Honor VA Tech Victims