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Amol Ghemud Published: August 14, 2018
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The title is the most important part of any piece of writing – whether it is an article, newsletter, sales copy, blog entry, web page, and email or business report. Without a good title there is a pretty good chance, rest will not be read.
“If you want your blog posts or copy to perform well, you have to create a magnetic headline.”
– Neil Patel
Importance of Experiment in Growth
Hitting on the idea that helps a product go viral isn’t accomplished by sitting around thinking up big projects, it is about plugging away in the details and experimenting. Growth is incremental, but over time, that growth compounds.
It is about experimenting
Growth hacking is not a magical bean stalk or a chicken that lays golden egg. It’s a methodical, rigorous and experimental approach to growth.
Tested, balanced and proven combination of chemical atoms is leads to an effective chemical formula. Thousands of blogs get published every day but how many are able to capture readers’ attention through newsletter updates or social media distribution before they start ranking on first page of google for relevant keywords?
Importance of Titles in Articles
By improving your titles you will find that your writing will no longer be ignored, dismissed or deleted as they will be hungry to find out more.
The titles is your first and sometimes only chance. Reader’s eyes will scan the title and an instant decision will be made. Does it interest them, intrigue them or amuse them or can it be ignored? There’s no second chance. No appeal. Just one chance. There is no going back and the rest of your article, brilliant, amusing and informative though it may be will never be read.
If you are able to create a great title, battle is half won you can easily write the copy. While if you have poor headline no matter how great is your copy there are rare chances of it being read easily.
“A Poor Headline will render your article invisible”
We have listed few findings after studying Neil Patel’s 500+ blogs that can be applied to blogs, newsletters or even radio and television commercials. The reason we chose to analyse his blogs is because he writes
Successful blogs
Always experimenting
Capture attention immediately and compel readers to stop in their tracks
Valuable content
Here are some of other things you should notice from various Neil Patel’s blog posts –
They are genuine questions
specific
They arise curiosity
Result-packed
Have few adjectives
The important thing to take away here is that his titles targets reader’s need for being “in the know.” His titles directly address the reader – which has a better chance of getting shared, re-tweeted, commented on, and liked by people.
“How long should my title be?” Having the right length for title is necessary. Let’s start with analyzing number of words in his blog titles.
Most of his blog titles range from 5 – 15 words (not too short – not too long).
However, if you see from the engagement point of view words ranging from 3-10 and 15 – 20 have received much love ( might be because of good content).
So here, popularity of blogs cannot be really determined by number of words except do not make it too long.
By looking at the above findings we can see that Neil Patel has written more number of blogs in the range of 5-15 words. It has also got fair number of shares and comments.
Take Away
1. List
Any title that lists a number of reasons, secrets, types, or ways which are intended to work for readers. These sort of posts and articles are ideal for creating hold and showing an authority of your subject matter.
It’s hard to go wrong with a “how to” title. Why do these titles work so well? Because they promise a solution to your customers’ problems. ‘How to’ type of blog titles addresses a need, feel almost compelled to read the article.
This type of title basically holds valuable information that appeals readers to read the blog of their interest. These type of titles suggest super useful pieces of evergreen content that readers expect to leverage.
Looking at the pie chart we can certainly say that Neil Patel’s style of writing is mostly is around listing, stating helpful ways which appeals users to follow him. Another type of titles he usually prefers is “How – To” questions.
No wonder it is said that you can never go wrong with ‘How-To’ type of blog titles. Also the blogs that have worked for him from the engagement point of view, are list and ‘How-To’ type of blogs. You can see clearly that “How-To” wins here as it has more number of shares and engagement.
Neil Patel, mentioned this in his blog about this ever working formula of “how – to” titles:
But you just can’t start writing your blog title with “How-To” without framing it properly:
Let’s move to other simple categorization of the blog titles based on their tone – how they are coming out as. This basically gives us the gist about the overall blog (what it will be like).
Tone of title
Using tone of voice in the titles effectively requires experience and sometimes a willingness to be daring (which he is), but it can have a huge impact on engagement.
We divided tone for all the blog titles into three categories:
1. Advisory
Having which gives a tone of advice mostly attracts the user because it gives of feel of helpfulness, giving advice. It directly addresses the readers – you/your/10 things you need to do (urgency)
We observed that most of Neil Patel’s blog titles are Advisory which again includes “How -To” and then “List” takeaway in them. He has written very few advisory
Example: How to Use Your LinkedIn Page as a Sales Funnel
(Shares 2154 – Comments 38)
This ‘How – To’ blog title has an advisory tone and worked well with the audience.
Another example, The 3 Important Ingredients of Google’s Search Quality Rating Guidelines
This blog title also sets an Advisory tone but its take away is ‘List’.
12 Risky SEO Tactics That Might Work
Audience responded really well for experiential tone of blogs. These blog titles included mostly guides –
“Neil Patel’s Guide to Internal Linking”
“The Definitive Guide to B2C Content Marketing”
All these blogs titles were derived from the range of 5-15 words.
Highlights
What makes a great title? Six, seven, or eight words is fine. Ten, twelve, or more words, is also fine. But as soon as your title starts pushing more than that, you may see traffic drop.
Write “how-to” posts. Under each heading you would give more information, explaining what to look for, the pros and cons, and pointing out issues that might be confusing. When you’re checking out at the grocery store, look at the titles of the articles on the magazine covers; they’re all “how to” or lists. And so are Neil Patel’s blog titles.
Advisory type of blogs always will have higher engagement as it reaches out in a beneficiary tone to the maximum audience.
If a post did well with engagement and social shares in the past, then chances are, it’s going to do well again in the future.
Use the word ‘YOU’. Really great blog posts sound like they were written just for you.
Have a look at the data we collected from all the Neil Patel Blog Headlines Analysis.
Conclusion
There are many, many other ways to write a headline. Whatever strategy you choose, don’t make a decision too quickly. Take time to brainstorm. Write dozens or even hundreds of headlines. You never know exactly what you want to say before you say it, so giving yourself plenty of choices is the surest way to arrive at the best, most powerful headline.
As Neil Patel said in his blog for QuickSprout – The Formula for a Perfect Headline:
The difference between creating a great headline and a mediocre one is huge. When I write a blog post, I typically know if it will be a hit based on the headline. And sadly, even if the content sucks, I know the post will still do well because of the headline.
Want to use inbound marketing to boost your startup’s marketing efforts?
For Curious Minds
A 'magnetic headline' is a methodically crafted title designed to capture immediate attention and compel a specific action, forming the cornerstone of an experimental growth strategy. It is not about a single brilliant idea but about continuous, data-driven refinement to drive compound growth over time. The analysis of Neil Patel’s work reveals that successful titles are the result of a rigorous, scientific approach to understanding reader psychology. This strategy works by treating every title as a test in a larger experiment.
Specificity: Directly addresses a reader's problem or need.
Curiosity: Creates an information gap that the reader feels compelled to fill.
Value Proposition: Clearly signals the benefit or result of reading the content.
For example, his most popular blogs often feature titles with 5-15 words, a range that proves effective in balancing clarity with intrigue. By consistently testing these elements, you move from hoping for virality to systematically engineering it. To see how this methodical process can transform your content's performance, explore the full analysis.
Incremental experimentation in headline creation is a process of making small, consistent, and data-backed improvements rather than searching for a single transformative title. This methodical approach ensures sustainable growth because it is built on proven reader responses, not guesswork, which is a core tenet of growth hacking. Neil Patel’s strategy is a prime example, where he continuously refines his titles based on engagement metrics. This turns content creation from a purely creative act into a scientific process of optimization. The key is to test variations of specific elements, such as the use of numbers in listicles, the framing of a question to provoke curiosity, the inclusion of benefit-driven language, and the optimal length, which often falls within the 5-15 word count range. This disciplined approach of testing and learning from the details compounds over time, building a loyal readership that trusts your content to deliver value. Discover how to apply this experimental mindset to your own writing by examining the specific tactics revealed in the study.
The choice between a list-based or question-based headline depends on your specific goal, whether it is demonstrating comprehensive knowledge or sparking immediate reader curiosity. A list-based title, like '10 Fatal Mobile SEO Mistakes,' is excellent for establishing authority because it promises a structured, easy-to-digest, and definitive guide. A question-based title excels at creating an information gap that intrigues the reader and encourages clicks to find the answer. Your decision should be based on the reader’s intent and the content’s core promise.
Use a List Title When: The article provides a clear set of steps, reasons, or examples. This format signals authority and is highly scannable.
Use a Question Title When: The article explores a complex problem, challenges a common assumption, or offers a nuanced solution.
The analysis of Neil Patel’s work shows he uses both effectively, often choosing lists for tactical posts and questions for strategic ones. Consider your content's depth and intended reader action to make the right call.
This data suggests that while a moderate length of 5-15 words is a safe and consistently effective range, optimal engagement comes from being highly concise or more descriptive, depending on the topic's complexity. The key is not a single magic number but rather aligning title length with the content's promise and the platform's constraints. The goal is to be as long as necessary to convey value and as short as possible to maintain clarity.
3-10 Words: This range is ideal for punchy, high-impact titles that grab attention quickly on social media. They often rely on curiosity or a strong keyword.
15-20 Words: This longer range can perform well for SEO-focused articles or content that needs more context to communicate its unique value.
The analysis of Neil Patel’s work implies that the guiding principle is to avoid ambiguity, not to strictly adhere to a word count. The most important takeaway is to be deliberate, testing which length best resonates with your audience.
Neil Patel's headlines are effective because they masterfully combine specificity, curiosity, and a direct value proposition, which together cater to a reader's desire for insider knowledge and actionable solutions. His titles often feel like an expert is sharing a well-guarded secret, which is a powerful psychological trigger for engagement. This strategy works because it positions the content not just as information, but as a competitive advantage. Three core characteristics stand out from the analysis:
Genuine Questions: Titles directly challenge the reader and imply that the answer holds critical information they might be missing.
Result-Packed Promises: Headlines such as 'How to Get Your First 1000 Visitors' are not vague; they promise a specific, desirable outcome.
Curiosity Triggers: Using phrases like 'Fatal Mistakes' or 'Risky Tactics' creates an information gap that readers feel an urgent need to close.
These techniques make readers feel that clicking is essential to staying informed and ahead of the curve. Learn more about how to replicate this proven formula in the full breakdown.
The evidence lies in the correlation between his most shared and commented-on posts and their meticulously crafted headlines. The analysis reveals that his highest engagement content, with posts receiving a 'fair number of shares and comments,' consistently uses titles in the 5-15 word range that are structured as lists or probing questions. This pattern shows that visibility is not an accident but a direct result of the headline's ability to win the initial battle for attention. The content itself is secondary if the title fails to earn the click. For instance, a brilliant article titled 'Thoughts on SEO' would be ignored, while Neil Patel’s '12 Risky SEO Tactics That Might Work' creates immediate intrigue and promises unique value, compelling readers to engage. This proves that the headline is the single most important factor in a piece of content's initial distribution and discovery, acting as the gateway to the value within.
Directly addressing the reader by using 'you' and 'your' creates an immediate, personal connection that transforms a broadcast message into a one-on-one conversation. This approach makes the content feel more relevant and tailored to the individual's problems, which, according to the analysis of Neil Patel's work, leads to higher engagement like shares and comments. It shifts the focus from the author's expertise to the reader's success. For example, a title like '10 Fatal Mobile SEO Mistakes Standing Between You and Your First 1000 Visitors' is far more powerful than '10 Common Mobile SEO Mistakes.' The first version makes the reader the protagonist of the story, directly linking the content to their personal goals. This personalization fosters a sense of being understood and supported, encouraging readers to share it with others facing similar challenges. To build a more engaged community, start by framing your advice around your reader's journey.
For a team aiming to boost readership, adopting Neil Patel’s methodical approach can yield significant results. This plan focuses on shifting from guesswork to a data-driven process for crafting and refining headlines to systematically increase engagement. The goal is to build a repeatable system for creating titles that work.
Analyze and Categorize: First, review your past 20 blog posts. Categorize their current headlines (e.g., list, question, how-to). Identify which types have historically received the most engagement and use this as your baseline.
Generate and Test Variations: For every new article, create three to five headline variations based on his principles: one list-based, one question, and one promising a specific result. Use tools to A/B test these headlines.
Track and Iterate: After a month, analyze the data. Did headlines in the 5-15 word count range perform better? Use these insights to create a 'headline playbook' for your team, and repeat the process each quarter.
This iterative process of testing and learning is the core of growth hacking and will compound your results over time.
A startup can effectively adopt an experimental approach to titles by using simple, low-cost methods to gather feedback and measure performance, focusing on iteration over expensive tools. The core principle is to treat every published title as a test and learn from its reception, just as the analysis of Neil Patel's work advocates. This is about being methodical, not about having a big budget.
Manual Social Media Testing: Post the same article link to a platform like Twitter or LinkedIn multiple times over a week, but with a different headline each time. Track the clicks and engagement.
Email Subject Line Tests: Most email marketing platforms offer simple A/B testing for subject lines. Send your newsletter to a small segment of your list with two different headlines.
Audience Polling: Use social media polls or ask your community on Slack to vote on two or three headline options before you publish.
By consistently applying these lightweight tests, you can gather valuable data on what resonates with your audience and refine your title strategy.
The trend toward prioritizing immediate engagement elevates headline creation from a simple writing task to a critical business competency for long-term survival and growth. As attention spans shrink and content volume explodes, the title becomes the single most crucial element in winning the initial click, which algorithms use as a primary signal of relevance and quality. Your headline is no longer just a label; it is your primary distribution tool. The methodical, experimental approach used by figures like Neil Patel is becoming the standard for success. In the future, companies that fail to invest in testing and optimizing their headlines will see their content, no matter how valuable, become functionally invisible. The data, such as the effectiveness of the 5-15 word title length, provides a starting point, but the real strategic advantage will come from continuously adapting these principles to evolving audience behaviors.
The most common mistake is creating descriptive but uninspired headlines that fail to signal value or spark curiosity, effectively camouflaging valuable content. Businesses often write titles that accurately describe the topic but neglect the psychological triggers that compel a click, rendering the article invisible in a sea of generic content. The solution is to shift from describing what the article is to promising what it does for the reader. To fix this, apply Neil Patel’s proven principles:
Be Specific and Result-Packed: Instead of 'Improving Mobile SEO,' use '10 Fatal Mobile SEO Mistakes Standing Between You and Your First 1000 Visitors.'
Arouse Curiosity: Frame the title as a question or a challenge, like 'Are You Making This Common Content Mistake?'
Focus on the Reader: Use 'you' and 'your' to make the benefit personal and direct.
By adopting this reader-centric, benefit-driven approach, your headlines will actively work to attract readers rather than passively waiting to be discovered.
Writers often create poor headlines because they treat the title as an afterthought, focusing all their creative energy on the body of the article. This happens because writing the main content feels like the 'real work,' while the headline is seen as a simple label. The solution is to reverse this workflow and adopt a systematic, experimental mindset inspired by growth hacking. A great headline should be the starting point of your writing process, not the final touch. To ensure your titles are as strong as your content, implement this change:
Write the Headline First: Before writing the article, brainstorm 5-10 potential headlines based on principles from experts like Neil Patel.
Let the Headline Guide the Content: Choose the strongest headline and use it as a promise that your article must fulfill.
Get Feedback Before Publishing: Test your chosen headline on a colleague to see if it generates curiosity and clearly communicates value.
This deliberate process ensures the headline gets the attention it deserves and acts as a quality control check for the entire piece.
Amol has helped catalyse business growth with his strategic & data-driven methodologies. With a decade of experience in the field of marketing, he has donned multiple hats, from channel optimization, data analytics and creative brand positioning to growth engineering and sales.
Growth Strategy and Planning
