How To Write Headlines Readers Can't Ignore

A 6-Step Checklist to Stop Thumbs Mid-Scroll

Most creators struggle to get their content noticed, not because the content is bad, but because their headlines don’t grab attention.

They pour time and energy into writing great stuff, but they overlook the very first step: hooking the reader.

Without a strong hook, even the best content can get lost in the noise.

You end up sharing your expertise with nobody, and all that effort and potential feels wasted. The key is making your headline do the heavy lifting—grabbing readers’ attention and pulling them in before they scroll right past.

Which is why I’m sharing the 6-Step Headline Checklist to Stop Thumbs Mid-Scroll.

We’re going to walk you through:

• Getting Specific

• Stacking The Deck

• Leveraging Curiosity

• Being Clear, Not Clever

• Using 6 Proven Formulas

• Understanding Clickbait

Mastering headlines isn’t just about more views. It’s about connecting your valuable content with the people who need it most. This checklist will help you write headlines that grab attention, make your message irresistible, and get your insights shared — building a loyal audience and expanding your reach, one post at a time.

Let's start by getting clear on who you want to reach.

1. Get Specific

If no one's reading your content, the problem might not be the content itself, but your headline's lack of precision.

A vague headline gets ignored because it doesn’t speak directly to its target reader.

When it’s unclear who the content is for or what it offers, people scroll past without a second thought. Without a strong, clear promise of value, your headline just fades into the background noise, failing to grab attention or spark curiosity.

To hook the right readers, your headline must immediately answer:

1. Who is this for?
   Make it clear who will benefit from your content. When readers see that you’re speaking directly to them, they’re more likely to stop and pay attention.

2. What's it about?
   Your headline should give a quick snapshot of the topic. People want to know exactly what they’re clicking on, no guessing games.

3. Why should they care, right now?

   Show them why this matters today. What’s the urgent reason to read this now instead of later? A strong “why” sparks curiosity and drives action.

Answering these questions upfront turns your headline into a magnet for the right audience. The clearer and more specific your headline, the sharper it becomes, and the easier is for the right audience to find it.

Being specific works like a filter. It draws in your ideal audience and keeps out the rest. That means every click you get is a qualified one, setting you up for better engagement down the line.

Once you’ve nailed specificity, it’s time to take it up a notch.

2. Stack The Deck

A great headline doesn’t happen by chance. It’s built by bringing together a few key elements that grab attention and pull readers in.

Each part plays a role in making your headline clear, compelling, and hard to ignore. Here’s what you need to include to stack the odds in your favor:

1. Add Numbers
   Numbers are like magnets for the eye. They promise a clear structure and make your headline feel organized and easy to digest. People love lists and steps because they know what they’re getting into.

2. Promise Results
   Tell your reader exactly what they’ll gain by clicking. What’s in it for them? Whether it’s saving time, learning a new skill, or solving a problem, a clear benefit makes your headline worth their attention.

3. Name your Reader

   Speak directly to your audience. Using “you” or naming a specific group makes the headline feel personal and relevant. It’s like having a one-on-one conversation that pulls them in.

4. Specify the Format

   Let readers know what to expect. Is it a step-by-step guide? A quick list? A detailed case study? Setting clear expectations helps people decide if this content is right for them.

5. Spark some Emotions

   Finally, tap into feelings. Whether it’s curiosity that makes them want to know more, urgency that pushes them to act now, or relief that promises a solution, emotions make your headline stick in their mind and drive clicks.

When you combine several of these elements, your headline packs a bigger punch. But you don’t need to use all of them every time. Just pick the ones that fit your message and audience to make your headline pop.

Now, let's put these elements into proven structures.

3. Be Clear Not Clever

Clarity beats cleverness. Every. Single. Time.

Your goal isn’t to show off how witty or creative you are, it’s to make sure your reader gets it in a split second. If they have to stop and decode your headline, you’ve already lost them.

No one clicks what they don’t understand. You could write the smartest pun in the world—but if it’s unclear what the content is actually about, it’s dead weight. People scroll past confusion.

Clever headlines often feel satisfying to write, but clarity is what gets clicks. Ambiguity is the enemy. You’ve only got a few words to work with, and even less time to capture attention. So don’t waste them being vague or cute. Get to the point.

Does this mean you can never be creative? Not at all. But save the wordplay, storytelling, and surprises for inside the content—where you have room to build context, show personality, and actually deliver the value your headline promised.

A clear headline builds trust. It signals that you respect the reader’s time, that you know what they care about, and that you’re going to give it to them—without the fluff.

So before you hit publish, ask yourself:

Would someone understand this headline in two seconds or less?
If not, cut the clever and say it straight.

Next, let’s tackle one of the most misunderstood—and misused—words in headlines: clickbait. Let’s clear the air.

4. Curiosity = Clicks

Curiosity is one of the most powerful forces you can tap into, it’s baked into how our brains work. When we sense a gap in information, we need to fill it. Your job? Create that gap. Make readers feel like there’s something they have to know, but can’t get unless they click.

The key is to strike a balance between telling and withholding. Give them the setup. Give them the payoff. But hold back the “how” or the “why.” That’s the hook.

For example:

“How We Raised $5M for Our AI Startup in Just 6 Weeks”

It’s clear, result-driven, and solid. But it gives away the whole story: we raised money fast. Good for you. But there’s no tension. No reason for the reader to lean in.

Now try this:

“From Broke to $5M in 6 Weeks: The Weird Email Hack That Had VCs Fighting Over Our Startup.”

Totally different vibe. You get the transformation and the outcome. But the most important part—the method—is missing. That “weird email hack” plants a seed in the reader’s head. What was the hack? Why did it work? Could I use it? That itch doesn’t go away until they click.

That’s what curiosity does. It pulls people in.

This isn’t about clickbait, it’s about story design. You’re not tricking the reader. You’re building intrigue by letting their imagination do the work.

But here’s the catch: curiosity only works when it’s grounded in clarity. If your headline is vague, confusing, or overhyped, people won’t trust it, and they definitely won’t click. You’ve got to earn their attention.

So use curiosity to open the loop…
And clarity to make sure they believe it’s worth closing.

Next, let’s talk about why clever headlines often fail, and what to do instead.

5. Use The 6 Proven Formulas

Look, you don’t need to waste time trying to come up with brand-new headline ideas from scratch. There are proven formulas out there that consistently grab attention, and they work because they tap into what people naturally respond to.

These five headline structures are proven frameworks you can count on. They’ve been tested repeatedly and consistently deliver results.

Here are names for each formula and example:

1. The List + Benefit
   [Number] [Content Type] That Will [Benefit Reader]
   Example: 7 Data Preprocessing Tricks That Will Boost Your Model Accuracy
   Why it works: Numbers grab attention, and readers know they’ll get actionable tips to improve results.

2. The Ways + Outcome

   [Number] Ways to [Achieve Desired Outcome]

   Example: 5 Ways to Speed Up Your Model Training Without Losing Accuracy
   Why it works: Offers multiple solutions, giving readers options to improve their process.

3. The How-To Solution

   How to [Solve Problem] and [Get Benefit]
   Example: How to Train Your First Neural Network and Avoid Common Pitfalls
   Why it works: Addresses a problem head-on and promises a clear, practical solution.

4. The Ultimate Guide
   The Ultimate [Content Type] to [Topic] for [Target Audience]

   Example: How to Build an AI MVP in 30 Days: A Machine Learning Engineer’s Guide
   Why it works: Positions your content as the go-to resource for a specific audience.

5. The Myth-Buster

   Why [Common Belief] Is Wrong and What to Do Instead
   Example: Why Overfitting Is Overhyped and How to Build More Robust Models
   Why it works: Challenges conventional wisdom, sparking curiosity and offering a fresh perspective.

6. The Insider Secret

   [Intriguing Hook] That [Unexpected or Impressive Result]
   Example: The Underground Content Strategy That Got Our LLM Startup Into Y Combinator
   Why it works: Sparks curiosity with a hidden tactic and promises a big win for a niche group.

Pick the formula that fits your message, plug in your specifics, and you’ve got a headline that does the heavy lifting for you. These structures take the guesswork out.

Now let’s look at the one emotion that consistently drives clicks more than anything else.

6. Clickbait Isn't a Dirty Word

People are drowning in content. Every day, millions of articles, videos, and posts flood feeds and inboxes. In this sea of noise, even the best ideas get lost. If you’re serious about your work, part of your job isn’t just creating great content—it’s giving your ideas a real fighting chance to be seen.

If you shy away from bold headlines because they feel “clickbaity,” you’re selling yourself short. In today’s crowded landscape, playing it safe means staying invisible. To get heard, you have to fight for attention—and that starts with your headline.

The term “clickbait” gets thrown around way too loosely. Here’s a precise definition: if your headline makes a big promise and the content doesn’t deliver, that’s clickbait in the worst sense. That’s when people feel tricked, and that’s when trust breaks.

Almost everything else—headlines that are bold, punchy, or emotionally charged—is fair game. When your headline grabs attention and your content delivers on that promise, that’s not manipulation. It’s strong communication. It’s about standing out while being honest and valuable.

So don’t be afraid to craft headlines that demand action or stir curiosity. Just make sure you back them up with substance. Keep your promises, give your audience what they came for, and you’ll build both clicks and trust.

Key Takeaway

Your headline is the handshake that opens the door. If it’s weak or confusing, no one will step inside. A confident, clear headline sparks interest and starts the conversation.

But getting people in is only half the battle. Once they’re inside, what keeps them around is content that actually helps, teaches, or connects.

You’ve got great ideas—now it’s your job to make sure they get the attention they deserve.

Action Recap

• Get Specific: Clearly define who your content is for and what problem it solves.

• Stack The Deck: Combine numbers, promised results, reader-naming, format specification, and emotional teases.

• Be Clear Not Clever: Prioritize understanding over wit in your headline.

• Curiosity = Clicks: Create an information gap by revealing the beginning and end, but teasing the middle.

• Use The 6 Formulas: Leverage proven headline structures to eliminate guesswork.

• Clickbait Isn't a Dirty Word: Make bold promises, but always deliver on them.

That’s it for now—more soon!

Catch you next time,

Paolo Perrone

Creator of LinkedIn Audience Building for AI/ML Engineers

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