Comments on: How To: Write an Internet-Ready News Headline

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 09:22:30 +0000

One tip: make sure you run a grammar/spelling/punctuation check on your article. Nothing is as unprofessional and embarrassing as writing mistakes. There's a service that does this checking for you: http://www.gramlee.com

By: Feedback Secrets

Feedback Secrets — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:16:00 +0000

Regarding Bank Bail Out, Paulson Suggests Bank Stocks Should Make Money.
This post is very on time for me, I often cut corners with my titles and miss out on the SEO benefit.

By: Michael W.

Michael W. — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:09:38 +0000

Poor AP headline writing, I think, is why we're seeing a lot more article summary bullet points from news outlets like CNN. It'd be unnecessary if they'd just write better headlines, but that is one marginally good thing that's come of this mess.

By: Jon Silk

Jon Silk — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 13:28:26 +0000

It’s a shame that we now write headlines for robots. While the practice of ‘SEOing’ copy arguably forces people to concentrate on being descriptive, it can also push context to its limits. (Not in the above case, admittedly.)
Here’s my attempt:
Paulson: Bank stock bailout may benefit BRITNEY SPEARS NAKED taxpayers
Bet I get more hits.

By: Gary Patton

Gary Patton — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 12:48:51 +0000

Might this be clearer to those outside as well as inside the US & include timing?
US Cabinet Guy: Bank stock bailout may benefit taxpayers …someday
@GaryFPatton

By: Tracy Lee

Tracy Lee — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 12:10:11 +0000

The rules have all been changed, and I believe for the better, with online media vs print media. The end goals are the same, but the way information is transmitted is far different. The rules need to change to fit the way we interact with this new medium.
Great article. Thanks!

By: caleb

caleb — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:51:46 +0000

But sincerely, your headline makes much more sense. I am often running into headlines of this (the one you call out as erred) nature.
Perhaps it serves a purpose because I skim the story trying to find out what was meant.
The article seems to be more of a continuation of a conversation. I get this sense often from headlines I run across. This is especially true for the more specialized publications.

By: Caleb

Caleb — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:45:19 +0000

“Paulson tries to pass of bail out as good for taxpayers.” ;)
Sorry couldn’t resist.