First of all, I want to say that if don't have Deb Ng in your reader, PUT HER IN NOW. She is a leading US blogger and she talks 100% good sense about the world of blogging, why we do it, and how to do it better.
Recently she blogged about Headline v Content: Does the Carpet Match the Drapes? As we all know, a good title is important when writing a post. But there's also the question of getting your title to match with your post. We've all clicked through, enticed by a juicy title tease only to get the cold shower of a blah post, or one that's on a different topic.
Deb asks which comes first: the great title or the incisive post? I know from working in the magazine business in New York, often a grabby coverline is the beginning of many a feature story. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. It's like saying "I'd like to read about that" then you go and find the story, develop your opinion and invite others to join in (that last one is the benefit with blogs as compared with magazine stories).
I'm working on a post right now that began with one small kernal and a title. It's taking more time to flesh out. But I'm more excited about it than some of my posts (is it a blogging sin to admit that?).
How about you? Do you write the post first, the title first, just slot in a title at the beginning then change it?
– Jennifer Howze (www.jenography.net)
About Jennifer Howze
Jennifer Howze is the Creative Director and co-founder of BritMums. She blogs about family travel at Jenography.net, tweets at @JHowze and Instagrams at @JHowze. Previously, she wrote the Alpha Mummy blog at The Times and as a journalist has contributed to The Times, The Guardian, The Independent, The Wall Street Journal, Travel & Leisure, Budget Travel, CNN.com, Allure, SELF and Premiere, among others. She won The Maggie Award from the Planned Parenthood Federation of America for a health article in Seventeen magazine.
Becky
Saturday 27th of November 2010
I hate thinking up titles with a passion! Usually I'll stick something vague in the title field before I start, then I'll write the post and hope inspiration comes to me in the meantime. When I first started blogging over 10 years ago, it wasn't uncommon for authors to not bother with titles at all, especially in the teen blogging niche that I was part of. That was when blogging was a bit more like filling in a personal diary.
Becky
Saturday 27th of November 2010
I hate thinking up titles with a passion! Usually I'll stick something vague in the title field before I start, then I'll write the post and hope inspiration comes to me in the meantime. When I first started blogging over 10 years ago, it wasn't uncommon for authors to not bother with titles at all, especially in the teen blogging niche that I was part of. That was when blogging was a bit more like filling in a personal diary.
Expat Mum
Friday 19th of November 2010
The problem is that it's two different skills. Writing a good blog post is one thing, but coming up with a really catchy, appropriate or funny blog title is another completely and one I find much more challenging. I usually write the post then stare at the screen for ages. But this post has given me a great idea for the BMB discussion site.....
Tara
Friday 19th of November 2010
Oh I'm all about the headlines! Years of working in the newspaper industry does that to you. Many times I've clicked through on a post, read it and thought 'I would have been here so much sooner and faster if it had a better headline' I find it best to say to yourself; What would make me read it; what would make me click through? This applies to any area of blogging (it's my job to tell corporates how to write 'magnetic headlines' and believe you me, they really really really struggle!)
jfb57
Thursday 18th of November 2010
Sometimes the title jumps out screaming 'I'm here'. Then at other times the post is written & I will think about a catchy title. However, I am learning that you must not trick your readers. I know how annoying it is when I've been conned so I try to keep that in my mind as well!!