Article & Blog Titles
Write titles for published articles - deep dives, hub pages, blog posts.
Core Philosophy: 80% of content performance comes from the title. Generate volume (10+ options), then select best using proven criteria.
The 3-Phase Workflow
Phase 1: Identify Core Value
What transformation does this article promise?
- •Problem: What pain/struggle does the reader face?
- •Goal: What result do they want?
- •Path: How does this article move them forward?
Extract headline elements:
- •Problem - What pain exists?
- •Goal - What result does reader want?
- •Benefit - What will their life look like after?
- •Concept - What idea/principle applies?
- •Example - What story/data illustrates this?
- •Process - What steps lead to the result?
Phase 2: Generate 10+ Options
Use multiple formulas from references/headline-formulas-library.md:
- •Try 3-4 different headline types
- •Apply sticky techniques from
references/sticky-sentence-techniques.md - •Test different element combinations
Phase 3: Evaluate & Select
Apply references/10-commandments-checklist.md:
- •Score top 5-7 options
- •Aim for 4-6 commandments per title
- •Use 4 U's test (Useful, Urgent, Unique, Ultra-specific)
- •Select highest scorer that fits the content
Core Patterns (With Examples)
1. Definitive Guide
Authority positioning for comprehensive content.
- •"The Complete Guide to Homeschooling in Utah"
- •"Everything You Need to Know About ESAs"
- •"Microschools: A Parent's Complete Guide"
2. How-To + Outcome
Practical promise with clear benefit.
- •"How to Start a Microschool (With No Teaching Background)"
- •"How to Use Your ESA Without Losing Money"
- •"How to Find the Right Curriculum in 3 Steps"
3. List + Specific Promise
Number creates scannability and completeness.
- •"7 Curriculum Options That Actually Work for ADHD Kids"
- •"5 Questions to Ask Before Joining a Microschool"
- •"12 Homeschool Co-ops in the Salt Lake Area (2026)"
4. Problem + Solution Frame
Names the pain, promises relief.
- •"Feeling Overwhelmed by Curriculum Choices? Here's a Framework"
- •"When Traditional School Isn't Working: 4 Alternative Paths"
- •"ESA Spending Anxiety: What You Can (and Can't) Use It For"
5. Contrarian / Myth-Busting
Challenges common belief.
- •"Why Homeschool 'Socialization' Fears Are Backwards"
- •"The Case Against Grade Levels"
- •"Microschools Don't Need Certified Teachers. Here's Why."
6. Comparison / Versus
Helps readers make decisions.
- •"Classical vs. Charlotte Mason: Which Fits Your Family?"
- •"Homeschool vs. Microschool: The Real Differences"
- •"Online School vs. Self-Directed Learning: Pros and Cons"
SEO Considerations
For hub pages and deep dives that need to rank:
Include primary keyword near the start when possible:
- •"ESA Spending Guide: What You Can Buy in [State]"
- •"Microschools Near Me: How to Find One in Your Area"
Match search intent:
- •Informational: "What is..." "How to..." "Guide to..."
- •Comparison: "X vs Y" "Best [category] for [use case]"
- •Local: Include state/city for geo-targeted content
Keep under 60 characters if SEO matters (Google truncates longer)
Swipe File
| Title | Pattern | Use For |
|---|---|---|
| "The Complete Guide to Homeschooling in [State]" | Definitive Guide | Hub pages |
| "How to Start a Microschool in 2026" | How-To + Year | Evergreen tactical |
| "7 Alternatives to Traditional School" | List | Comparison content |
| "Why Unschooling Works (According to the Research)" | Contrarian + Authority | Opinion with data |
| "ESA vs. Tax Credits: What's the Difference?" | Versus | Decision-making |
| "The Myth of Learning Loss" | Myth-busting | Contrarian takes |
| "What I Wish I Knew Before Homeschooling" | Personal wisdom | Experience posts |
| "The Hidden Cost of 'Free' Public School" | Contrarian | Opinion pieces |
Workflow
- •What's the core question this answers? - That's often the title
- •Match to pattern - Definitive? How-to? List? Versus?
- •Generate 5-10 options - Try different framings
- •SEO check - Does primary keyword appear? Under 60 chars if ranking matters?
- •Select best - Would you click this in search results?
Anti-Patterns
Don't:
- •Write vague titles ("Thoughts on Education")
- •Use insider jargon without explanation
- •Promise more than the article delivers
- •Bury the value proposition
- •Use clickbait that destroys trust
- •Stop at 2-3 options (generate 10+)
- •Use hedge words ("might," "could," "possibly")
- •Write generic promises ("Boost productivity" vs "Double output in 30 days")
Sticky Techniques (For Memorable Titles)
From references/sticky-sentence-techniques.md:
| Technique | Example |
|---|---|
| Alliteration | "Specificity is the secret" |
| Symmetry | "School measures time. Education measures learning." |
| Contrast | "Small schools. Big difference." |
| Rhythm | Two short parallel phrases that feel balanced |
Best for titles: Alliteration, Contrast, Rhythm
Quick Quality Check
Before finalizing, verify:
- • 4 U's: Useful? Urgent? Unique? Ultra-specific? (3/4 minimum)
- • Primary keyword near start (for SEO)
- • Under 60 characters (if ranking matters)
- • Would you click this in search results? (honest answer)
- • No AI-isms: delve, comprehensive, leverage, landscape
Bundled Resources
| Resource | Contents |
|---|---|
references/headline-formulas-library.md | All 15 formulas with examples |
references/sticky-sentence-techniques.md | Literary devices for memorable titles |
references/10-commandments-checklist.md | Full evaluation framework with scoring |
Related
- •
newsletter-subject-lines- Different constraints (email vs web, shorter) - •
opened-daily-newsletter-writer- Newsletter workflow - •
open-education-hub-deep-dives- Full article workflow - •
seo-research- Keyword research for titles
Generate 10+ options using multiple formulas. Evaluate with 10 Commandments. Select best.
Related Skills
- •Enhanced by: hook-and-headline-writing
- •Feeds into: how-newsletters, x-article-converter, youtube-title-creator