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What Is a Title and How to Write One That Drives Clicks – TOS

avt
TOS Content Editor
10th Nov, 2025

A title is the very first “touchpoint” between your content and your audience. Whether readers decide to stay and continue reading largely depends on how engaging your title is. So, what exactly is a title? And how can you create one that truly stands out? Let’s explore these questions together with TOS in this article.

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What Is a Title?

A title (or headline) is a line of text that represents the main content of an article. It’s usually the first thing that appears before the reader’s eyes, designed to attract attention and spark curiosity. That’s why titles play such a crucial role readers will only stop to explore your article if the title is unique, engaging, and emotionally appealing.

Today, thousands of new articles are published every single day. If your headline feels dull or uninspired, the chances of getting clicks drop dramatically. Think of it this way: your title is like the appearance and color of a dish behind a glass display. People will only open that display and taste the food if it looks tempting enough from the outside.

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Why Is a Title Important?

A strong title captures attention and triggers emotion making readers more likely to consume your content. Simply put, your title represents the essence of what’s inside. Even if your article is excellent, it won’t reach many people if the title fails to draw them in.

In short, a great title should:

  • Grab the reader’s attention instantly
  • Convince readers to click (and improve your conversion rate)
  • Accurately reflect the core topic or message of your article

Common Types of Titles

1. What Is a CV Title?

A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a person’s résumé. In online recruitment, your CV title is simply the file name of your CV stored on your computer. It’s called the CV title because it’s what employers see first when you submit your application, it’s the first impression you make.

2. What Is an Email Title?

In an email, the title (or subject line) appears in bold in the recipient’s inbox. Only when someone clicks on it does your email get opened. That’s why a dull or unprofessional title is often ignored or worse, ends up in the spam folder. Even though the subject line is short, it’s the part you should spend the most time crafting.

3. What Is a Blog Title?

A blog title is the large, bold line at the top of your blog post and the headline that appears in Google search results. A clear, well-written title helps readers immediately understand what your blog post is about.

4. What Is an Advertising Title?

In advertising, the title (or ad headline) is what grabs attention and persuades people to buy what you’re selling. It should be engaging, informative, and benefit-driven. When writing ad titles, focus on the key benefit of your product and connect it to a feature that supports that benefit.

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5 Powerful Ways to Write Eye-Catching Titles

1. Use Numbers in Your Titles

Numbers appeal to the reader’s logical thinking. According to a LinkedIn study, titles containing numbers receive 37% more clicks than those without. Numbers make your headline feel credible, structured, and easier to digest.

2. Ask a Question

Question-based titles often start with words like what, where, who, when, or how. This format sparks curiosity because readers naturally want to know the answer.

A good question should be open-ended, thought-provoking, and promise a clear benefit or solution within your content.

If the question is too simple or uninteresting, readers will likely skip it. But if it’s intriguing, it will pull them in and keep them reading.

Example: Have You Learned How to Optimize Titles for Sales SEO Yet?

3. Write “How-To” Titles

“How-to” titles imply that your article offers practical, helpful guidance. Readers often search for “how to” or “guide” content when they want to solve a specific problem.

The secret to an effective “how-to” title is to highlight the value or result readers will get from your article.

Examples:

  • How to Whiten Clothes in Just One Easy Step
  • DIY Velvet Wire Cherry Blossom Pot for Lunar New Year
  • 9 Simple Steps to Design a Sales App Like a Pro

4. Add Humor

Entertainment is one of the biggest reasons people consume content. A witty or humorous title instantly draws attention and builds emotional connection.

However, you should use humor wisely. It must suit your audience, content type, and communication tone.

Examples:

  • Selling Jewelry as “Cold as Your Ex’s Heart”
  • Feeling Old? Get a Fresh Haircut and Feel Like a Teen Again!

5. Use Mystery, Secrets, or Shocking Truths

People are naturally curious about what they don’t know. You can use that psychology to make your title irresistible.

To discover “the truth,” readers will need to click on your content. This type of title works especially well for sales content or social media ads.

However, be cautious: a curiosity-driven title must lead to high-quality content that actually answers the question or reveals something unique. Otherwise, readers will feel deceived by the classic “clickbait” problem.

Examples:

  • Surprising Facts About the Human Body You Never Knew
  • Can You Really Speak Like a Native in Just 30 Days?

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Tips for Writing Great Titles

  • Think like your reader: Put yourself in the audience’s shoes. Before writing, imagine what kind of headline would make you stop and click when searching for the same topic.
  • Keep it short and concise: If your article includes new data or key figures, place them in the title to attract attention and build trust.
  • Match title and content: No matter how catchy it is, if the title doesn’t reflect your article’s real content, readers will feel misled, damaging your credibility.
  • Use attention-grabbing keywords: Incorporate strong keywords naturally. These could be numbers, people, unique features, or trending events that resonate with your audience.

Frequently Asked Questions About Titles

  1. What Is a PowerPoint Title Slide?

    A title slide is the first slide in a PowerPoint presentation, used to introduce the topic, presenter, organization, and date. It gives your audience an immediate understanding of what the presentation is about.

  2. What Does a Title Page Show?

    A title page provides identifying information for a document or presentation, including the title, author, date, and affiliated organization. It helps readers grasp the overall content from the start.

  3. What Is a Page Title?

    A page title appears at the top of a document, article, or webpage, summarizing its main content. In SEO, the page title (or title tag) is what shows up in search engine results and it directly influences your website ranking.

  4. What Is a Blog Title?

    A blog title is the main headline that appears at the top of a blog post. It should be concise, clear, engaging, and include primary keywords for better SEO performance.

Conclusion

Your title plays a critical role in creating the first impression for readers. A successful title grabs attention and encourages people to stop scrolling and read your content. We hope these headline-writing tips from TOS help you craft catchy titles and produce quality, engaging content. If you’re looking for a professional SEO agency, TOS offers comprehensive services, including website SEO, Google Maps SEO, smart SEO campaigns, and real estate SEO solutions. Contact the TOS team today for expert advice and a fast, personalized SEO quote.

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