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 OpenEd 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.