To make your headlines succeed, avoid these traps. While the differences are subtle, the resulting traffic is not.
1. Don’t Be Hostile
Bad
I Really Hate All White People
Good
An Open Letter to Pasty People
2. Don’t Be Preachy
Bad
Meet Todd Akin. He’s a Horrible Human Being. Share This So Everyone Knows
Good
A Congressman on a Science Committee Doesn’t Understand How Science Works
Great
It’s Always Fun When a Sitting Congressman Sits on a Science Committee and Doesn’t Understand Basic Human Biology
3. Don’t Be Esoteric
Bad
Jennifer Lawrence Talks About What It’s Like to Be Judged
Good
That Lady From the Hunger Games Talks About What It’s Like to Be Judged
What Tools Does Upworthy Employ to Test Its Headlines? [Quora]
