This article was last updated in 2020. Tools and interfaces change; the principles still apply. Ask us if you want the current version of this advice.
Craft better headlines for your Instagram posts.
Yes, Instagram may be known for its gorgeous photography and amazing graphics, but captions are how you catch the eye of audience members. For businesses that are trying to stand out from the billions of online users, anything that helps potential consumers stop scrolling on your post is valuable information. In this blog, I will explain some tips on how to create headlines that determine whether the reader stays and reads your post or keeps scrolling.
What is a Headline?
Before we get into the tips and tricks on how to catch a reader’s eye – we need to be clear on what an Instagram headline even is! This is the first sentence you see in a post that shows you what you are going to read about or the first sentence in a caption. These are some methods on how to write a powerful headline.
Types of Headlines
Hashtags #’s
A great way to start a post is with a number. This implies a list is to be expected, which means the benefit of information! Readers will know the post is valuable and will also have the convenience of knowing how much information they are about to receive.
For example:
“5 way to create…”
“10 reasons you should…”
“4 proven ways to …”
Questions ?’s
Ask open ended questions to catch readers attention and make them think about if they are interested in knowing the answer. Does this question apply to them? Will this post be a problem solver?
Specific questions will help your post not be branded as clickbait. Phrase your question in a way that will leave the reader wanting to know more. If written in the write way a post can convey a sense of urgency.
For example:
“Did you know that…”
“Why you should …”
How to
How to headlines allow your audience to know they are about to recieve lifes best gift, knowledge. This is extremely valuable because they feel a positive reaction from your post. How to headlines will also benefit both you and your reader. They will be informed and helped with their problems while you will be established as an expert.
For example:
” How to start a Social Media Agency”
” Learn how to never run out of content ”
” How to Stand out from the competition”
Review of how to craft better headlines in your Instagram Posts
Let’s go over an overview of the tips that will make your headline stand out from the crowd.
- Use numbers to imply that you are showing a list of information.
- Headlines that are questions will allow your reader to apply the context to themselves and will also help your engagement by creating something to answer to in the comments.
- How to headlines attract readers trying to educate themselves and give them the benefit of instructions.
Some bonus tips would be to include common mistakes that people can relate to. This allows your audience to look to your posts for the solutions to the real problems.
- ” 7 Reasons you should…”
- ” 5 proven was to…”
It is also a good idea to be specific and use words that speak to the reader directly such as the words ” you ” or ” your.” This gives a sense of being flagged down.
- ” Is Your Content Next Level?”
- ” Target Your Competition”
- ” Why People Unfollow You”
Try these tips to craft better headlines in your Instagram posts for a valuable headline and check your Instagram analytics to see the difference in performance! This way you can see what works best for your account and what your audience prefers.
Thinking about if Social Media is even worth it? Check out our blog on the Benefits of Social Media.
Matthew Palis, President & CEO
Internet veteran with 20+ years running web development, SEO, online marketing and cloud services companies. Owner of Infront Webworks since 2012.
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