5 Keys To Writing Killer Blog Post Titles

Is your great blog content hiding behind boring or predictable titles?

Next time you're browsing the web, notice the articles that catch your eye and pique your interest. What is it about them that interests you enough to click through and look at the content? Often, all that you have to go by is the article title.

Titles matter.

I was just reminded of the importance of blog post titles over the weekend when I posted an article on PsychCentral's World Of Psychology Blog. The article was titled "8 Surefire Ways To Emotionally Screw Up Your Kid." Within 24 hours the post had been shared over 1000 times on Facebook and had been retweeted 100 times on Twitter.

What was it about this post that made it popular and sharable? It all started with the totally unexpected title that piqued people's interest.

5 Key Questions When Titling Posts

1) Does it make you go "huh?"

Is there some kind of twist you can give the title that piques readers interest? For my "8 Surefire Ways" post I wanted to give it a different approach. There are millions of how-to parenting posts on the Internet, so I wanted to do something unexpected while still being helpful.

2) Is your title relevant to the content?

You don't want to g0 with a catchy title that has nothing to do with the content. Your post title should accurately reflect the article content or you risk losing your reader's trust and decreasing your traffic. One of the favorite titles of a recent blog post was 20 Ways Shrinks Stay Sane, where I interviewed therapists around the globe on how they take care of their own emotional health. It was clever and reflected accurately what the post content had in store for readers.

3) Can you say it in fewer words?

If you can title a post with fewer words, then do it. If titles are too long they make it more difficult to share through social media. I titled a recent blog post What The Heck Is Social Collaboration? A less effective title would have been Why Therapists Need To Know About Social Collaboration: What It Is And How To Use It.

4) Does the title include keywords?

Whenever possible, use keywords in the title of your blog post so people searching for your topic can easily find your content. For example, this post is titled 5 Keys To Writing Killer Blog Post Titles. The keywords are blog, post, and titles.

5) Is it in layman's terms?

When writing for the general public, avoid psychobabble, and write titles in language that is understandable to everyone. For example, one of my colleagues wrote a blog post called Mean Girls in Marriage. That title is more approachable than using Relational Aggression In Female Partners After Marriage.

Coming up with great blog post titles is an art that takes practice. It helps me to brainstorm with colleagues or family members to see which titles work best. Do you need feedback on a blog post title that you're working on? Feel free to post it in the comment below and I'll give you my feedback!

Mobile App For Your Private Practice? It's Easier Than You Think

By now you know that I love technology, especially when it comes to practice building. I recently blogged about how shrinks can prepare for the mobile marketing revolution. Well, here's another cool way to make sure that your private practice website is "mobile friendly." You can now build your own private practice app! Seriously. Last weekend I stumbled on this blog http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57336404-94/how-to-build-your-own-app-for-free/ and thought I'd give it a try.

My clinic website, Wasatch Family Therapy, has an active blog, newsletter, YouTube account, Twitter, and Facebook page and we pride ourselves in being fairly tech-savvy, so an app is the next step, right? In addition to providing clinical services, we highly value outreach and community education and technology and the Internet allow us to reach far beyond our own community in Utah.

In less than an hour, through the tools available on conduit.com I created a custom mobile "Wasatch Family Therapy" app, complete with it's own QR code (the code you can scan with a bar code scanner on your mobile phone). I was also able to set up a notification to my website visitors using a mobile device to select the app or open the full-version. Cool huh?

If you want to check out our app scan the QR code or click http://mob.conduit.com/wasatchfamilytherapyon your mobile device. It'll open the app and give you the option to save to home screen.

I also created another app for my website JulieHanks.com so visitors can access my blog and ask questions from their mobile phone. Did I mention that I love technology? It allows a little therapist in Utah to reach around the globe.

Now get busy creating an app for your private practice. If you do, post the link below. I'd love to see it.

Therapist Roll Call: Join The Private Practice Facebook List

Thanks for your fantastic response to my roll call for private practice therapist using Twitter! Therapists from all around the globe have joined the list. I'll will continue to add therapists to the list so feel free to join anytime by commenting on that post.

I wanted to do the same thing for Facebook Business pages to help you connect to other like-mined therapists to share resources, ideas, practice building tools, and referrals. Only licensed mental health therapists will be listed.

Here's what you need to do to join the Facebook List...

Post a comment below and include the following information:

1. Facebook page name &  page link (Facebook business page, not personal profile)
2. your name & credential
3. your city & state
4. specialty areas

As the comments come in I’ll post comments and paste your info in the body of this post below to make it easy to click through and "like" the Facebook pages listed.  I look forward to connecting with you. Feel free to forward to colleagues.

Therapist Facebook Page List

Wasatch Family Therapy & Julie Hanks LCSW, Julie Hanks, LCSW, Salt Lake City, UT, women’s mental emotional health, emotionally focused couples therapy, family and parenting, private practice consulting, media contributor

Timeless Solutions Counseling Services ,Tiffany C. Huggins, MEd,NCC,LPC, Charlotte, NC, Specializing in loss and grief issues, Depression, Stress/Anxiety and Life Transitions for children, adults, and older adults.

Drops Of Change , Jo-Anne Mac Millan BA Hons., MA, Limerick City, Republic of Ireland, Humanistic & Integrative Psychotherapist

Maplewood Counseling New Jersey, Debra Feinberg, LCSW, Maplewood, NJ, Anxiety or Fears, Relationships, Parenting, Gay and Lesbian Issues, Multicultural Counseling

A Peaceful Balance, Jennifer Bois-Slattery, LCMHC, MLADC, ICAADC, Nashua, NH, trauma, gender identity counseling, substance abuse, adolescent issues, clinical supervision

Synchronicity Counseling & Wellness, Boise, ID, Kama Hiner, LPC, Nichole Jordan, LCPC, Denae Barowsky, LPC, Marci Danielson, LAMFT, Kristine Kirsch, LPC, Arlene Winkle, LMSW, We are a small group private practive with 6 counselors working with children through adults, anxiety, depression, trauma, custody, LGBT, parenting, EMDR, Sexual issues

Kim Wright LCSW, Kim Wright, LCSW LGBTQQI-friendly, eclectic approach, mostly works from a Cognitive Behavioral / Solution-Focused, aged 15+, who seek treatment to recover from Anxiety, Depression, Sexuality issues/disorders, Psychosis, and Relational/Couples therapy

Soul Tenders, Wendy Bencosme, PhD, Maureen Leigh, MFT, Carol Bennett, MFT, Brandon Guin, MFT, Jan Salvay, MFT, Arcadia, CA, Divorce & Support Group, Anxiety, Grief/Loss, Depression, EMDR, Somatic, Sexual Abuse, Trauma, Parenting, Domestic Violence, Anger Management, Dreams Group, Teens, Couples/Marital Therapy

Pam Dyson, MA, LPC, RPT, St. Louis, MO, Parent coaching, play therapy for children 3-12 years of age

Bruce Nystrom, PhD, Wichita Kansas, specializing in psychological assessment (clinical, forensic, employment, disability, medical) along with stress management, habit control (smoking, weight control, medication compliance), and sex offender treatment

Birmingham Counseling for Women and Girls, Sara Levitsky, LMSW, Birmingham, MI, women and girls of all ages, depression, anxiety, self esteem issues, relationship problems, school/peer issues, parenting support

Cathy Hanville, LCSW, Albany, CA, Trauma, PTSD, EMDR, anxiety, depression, and gender identity

Julie Fanning LCSW, West Dundee, IL, anxiety, mood disorder, early adults and midlife

Carrie Christiansen, LPC, Lenexa, KS, young adults and adolescents with concerns such as depression, anxiety, trauma, self-esteem, and relationship issues

Kelli Hyland, M.D., Salt Lake City, Utah, Whole-person, individualized, collaborative approach to medication management (& psychotherapy) for adults with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD.

Segal Psychotherapy, LLC, MA, LAMFT, GLBTQ Friendly Therapist helping couples and individuals recover from infidelity, sex and porn addiction, and sexual abuse and sexual trauma.

Julie Jeske, MS, NCC – registered intern working toward my LPC,  Portland, OR, individual, couples and groups, sexuality, intimacy and relationships, women's Live Your Best Life Group

Jason A. Tompkins, LCSW, Tampa, Florida, survivors of suicide, couples, teenagers, Support Group for Adults with Asperger's Syndrome

Integrity Psych Heidi McKenzie, Psy.D, Monroeville, PA, clinical psychologist, anxiety disorders with adults

Miranda Palmer, LMFT, Modesto, CA,  Trauma Therapist doing specialty work with EMDR and other trauma treatment strategies

Lisa J. Johnson, LMFT, Albuquerque, NM, relationships, all forms of families; married, cohabitating, single parent, or blended families,  parents and friends of lesbians and gays and gay parents

Kelly Higdon, MFT, Laguna Hills, CA, women in divorce, anger issues, twenty and thirty something issues

Deborah Owens, Philadelphia, PA, adults and couples, specializing in marriage and couples counseling, anxiety, and recovery

AKCCOnline J. Kip Matthews, PhD, Athens, GA, Consulting, Mind-Body Health, Diversity Issues, Continuing Education Programming, Psycho-Educational Workshops, and College Student Mental Health

Joel D. Carnazzo, Psy.D., Chicago, IL, Substance Abuse, Depression, Anxiety, CBT, Motivational Interviewing

Good Medicine Healing Community, Kimberly O. Sieber, Ph.D., PLLC, Salt Lake City, UT, evidence-based psychological interventions and scientifically-validated spiritual practices aimed at facilitating mental, physical, and spiritual health, and treating chronic pain, medical and neurological conditions, anxiety, depression, bipolar, PTSD, and other stress-related illnesses

Terry Moore, LICSW Omaha, NE, hypnosis in psychotherapy, advanced training and experience in the behavior therapy to treat OCD

AZ Body-Mind Counseling Art Matthews, MA LPC, Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, AZ, Stress, Anxiety, Panic, Depression, Grief/Loss, Divorce/Uncoupling Recovery, GLBT population

Seasons of Healing Counseling Services Cary Collins, MEd., LPC, Charlotte, NC, life transitions and those experiencing pain (physical/emotional/spiritual) find balance and well-being in mind/body/spirit.I also facilitate groups in SoulCollage(R)

Lucia Cassar Psychologist/Psychoanalist, teenagers, adults and elderly

A Peaceful Life Counseling Services Kat Mindenhall, LCSW, Lakewood, Colorado, cognitive Behavioral, solution focused, and mindfulness therapy for depression/anxiety, parenting, families and couples

Shari Cohn, LCSW, CSAT Madison, Wisconsin, Sex Therapy; Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity; Internet Porn & Cybersex Addiction; Partners, Spouses, Families of Sex Addicts; Survivors of Abuse, Assault, Trauma; PTSD; EMDR; Sexual Difficulties of Abuse, Trauma Survivors; Depression; Anxiety; Individual, Couples, Marriage Counseling

Jodie Gale MA Psychotherapy Northern Beaches, Sydney, Australia, eating disorders, addiction, infertility and alternative parenting paths, life crisis, relationships, anxiety and depression

Fran DiDomenicis, Ph.D. at East Bay Counseling Walnut Creek, CA, Mindfulness Based treatment for Depression, Anxiety, Addictions, and Chronic Pain; Marriage and Relationship Counseling

Jennifer Bois-Slattery, LCMHC,MLADC, ICAADC Nashua, NH, USA: Specialties, trauma, gender identity counseling, substance abuse, adolescent issues, clinical supervision

Dr. Ranjan Patel  brief-term counseling for rapid symptom reduction, and longer-term psychotherapy for deeper exploration, tailor-made treatment for your unique needs, specialties include: anxiety; depression; chronic pain/illness; mindfulness training, relationship issues–in individual and/or couples

Sharon Martin, LCSW San Jose, CA: specialize in mood disorders, anxiety, substance abuse, grief & loss, infertility & pregnancy loss, CBT

Tammy Fletcher, M.A., LMFT San Diego, CA: Medical issues: chronic pain/illness, new diagnosis, disability. Couples therapy, individual and family therapy, depression, anxiety, trauma. Fluent in American Sign Language – deaf and hard of hearing clients welcome

Melissa Wright, MA, LPC, RPT, Kansas City, MO Northland:  children ages 3 and up as well as adults and families who need services due to trauma, life transitions and mental health needs

Demyan Rossouw Cape Town, South Africa: Cognitive Behavioural Coaching & Facilitation, Gen-Y Coaching & Mentoring HIV Coaching, Creativity Coaching

Tanya L. Hilber, PsyD San Diego, CA: middle-age transitions for women and children with trauma, individual issues with a practical, psychodynamic approach that includes finding balance in life

DragonMuse Coaching & Facilitation Demyan Rossouw, Cape Town – South Africa: Cognitive Behavioural Coaching & Facilitation, Gen-Y Coaching & Mentoring, HIV Coaching, Creativity Coaching.

Metis Counseling Kansas City, MO Northland: Work with children ages 3 and up as well as adults and families who need services due to trauma, life transitions and mental health needs.

Rinske Goettsch MA, MBACP Counsellor, I see adults, elderly and couples for short and long term therapy. I specialise in relationship issues in a humanistic and creative way.

The Online Counselling Service Faith Moyo, Accredited Psychological Therapist, 24 Hour Online and Telephone Therapy. Access the worldwide service 7 days a week via secure Email, Instant Chat, VoIP, Webcam and Telephone.

Child's Play Services Andalusia, Alabama: Registered Play Therapist and National Certified Counselor. I specialize in child, adolescent, and family issues.

Erika T. Kendrick, LPC Montclair, NJ: specialize in depression, grief & loss, and domestic violence.

Regina Bright MS, LMHC Mary Esther, Florida: Individual, group, and family therapy for children and adults, developmental and emotional problems including depression, anxiety, stress, as well as unresolved issues resulting from childhood, delinquent and “at risk” adolescents and their families

Child, Parent & Family Institute Nitika T. Bey MSW, LSW, Pennsylvania and New York: Long Term and Short Term Solutions Focused Counseling (STSF)

Mind & Body Journal with Karen Gorrin Karen Gorrin, MA, LMHC Olive Tree Healing Arts Bellevue, Washington: Helping busy professionals find ease and wellbeing. Integrative Psychotherapy, Corporate Wellness, Mind and Body Workshops and Retreats.

Tracy Tucker, LCSW Arlington Heights, IL: My mission is to empower clients and assist them in achieving their personal goals for a healthy, successful life.

Ed Santana, MA, Psychotherapist, Toronto, Ontario: Psychotherapy, Counselling, and Therapy for Individuals and Couples.

Life Designs of Miami by Roberta Gallagher South Miami, Florida: My major focus is working with couples in crises due to betrayal i.e. infidelity: emotional, physical, online, phone.

Kate Elrod MS, LPC-S Austin, TX: Adults, Depression, Anxiety, Self Esteem, Past Abuse/Trauma, Life Transitions.

(Your info will go here...this list is ongoing to add your comment any time. Please summarize your services in one sentence instead of posting a comprehensive list. Thanks!)