DISQUS

Karen Putz · 2 years ago

Ah, I remember those "lack of sleep" nights! :)

Daniel Sweet · 2 years ago

Don't forget about the old standby: stealing!

Since you'll be on the way to the grocery store at 2am anyway (for diapers / baby food / formula / rash cream / teething gel / pickles & ice cream), scan the magazines on the checkout counter.

Write down the formulas you see there ("Have Sexy Thighs for Summer!", "Drive Your Man Wild: 4 Ways To Having Him Eat Out Of Your Hand", "Experience The Most Relaxing Summer Getaways Without Breaking the Bank!") and bring them home.

Then, translate them into whatever you're posting about ("Attract the Summer Traffic Surge", "Drive DIGGers Wild: 4 Ways To Have Your Posts Explode on Digg!", "Experience Top Blog Rankings Without Breaking the Bank!").

Keep in mind: headline theft is a time honored journalistic tradition (just ask anyone who works for a magazine!)

Dan

nettiehartsock · 2 years ago

Ben,

Great ideas! I did this kind of bleary eyed writing for years when my kids were young.

You can do it. Sometimes the greatest gifts of brilliance come in lack of sleep and motivation to still write! I always kept a thesaurus by my computer and that helped tons. Another great site I've used alot to make sure my headlines and verbage don't suck is Buzzwhack.com and it's a great one to get you going on a blog post as well.

"The Baby Book" by Dr. William Sears is the single most useful book anyone can have. (And no, I'm not his publicist.:>)

Barb · 2 years ago

Ben,
Er, I'm guilty of NOT publishing at this site for a while, but thought that one of my posts might help you get a bit more sleep (let me know what you think of the title ;) ): http://greatfamilygadgets.com/nighttime-baby-ca...

I also second Nettie's book recommendation wholeheartedly!!!

Barb,

Ben Yoskovitz · 2 years ago

Daniel - Stealing eh? *chuckle* There's no question that a lot of great headlines and the structure of those headlines is based off old classics from magazines.

Nettie - Thank you for the comment and book recommendation.

Barb - Great to see you around! I think the headline is good. The co-sleeper crib looks interesting. I'm all too familiar with the baby being in the bed. I don't really mind although there are safety concerns. The co-sleeper looks like a good compromise although the baby has to be willing to get into that too...

Matt · 2 years ago

I am a big fan of How to headlines. Generally, I think people like to know how to do stuff, even if they aren't actually going to do it themselves. Or, the curiosity gets them.

This was the idea behind my latest "How to start a business with no competition" headline. That should get people scratching their heads. (Hopefully!) :)

Matt

Ben Yoskovitz · 2 years ago

Matt - I'm a big fan of How To headlines as well. I'd say they're the most popular ones out there.

Some of the others might come off as too salesy or hokey, but How To is usually solid without too much selling.

David · 2 years ago

Ben- "Don’t try and reinvent the wheel." At times it's good to reinvent it; however, much of the time just sticking with the classics and fundamentals is all that is need. Found you while stumbling and thought that I'd comment.

Susan Gunelius · 2 years ago

I like your tip about being controversial. Sometimes those post bring the most traffic, but getting the courage to post them and stir up the pot can be a tough hill to climb sometimes. I think some blogs lend themselves better to controversy as well. For example, political blogs thrive on controversy.

Ben Yoskovitz · 2 years ago

Susan - There's no question that some blogs lend themselves better to controversy. Some authors too; it's just their style.

If it's not your style, don't force it. Blog the way you are, because otherwise it's not authentic and fails its purpose, whether you get lots of comments/traffic or not.

MattK · 2 years ago

Man! So little sleep! This too shall pass or have another baby to double your pleasure.

When I am sleep deprived, coffee is my best friend. Once I have a jolt, I can write but I do "sound" as if I am ADHD!

Ben Yoskovitz · 2 years ago

Matt - I've got 2 kids, that's enough for now...both are young, both aren't sleeping a ton!

Troy · 1 year ago

This is a great way to combat blogger fatigue, and yes I have cut down titles to strange numbers like "Top 7" before. I'll have to use these tricks more often :)

Ben Yoskovitz · 1 year ago

@Troy: Thanks for commenting and best of luck!

Pink Ink · 1 year ago

I've written the best blog posts while exhausted, in the middle of the night, because I just go with my gut feeling. There have been some mornings, though, when I go, "uh, oh"...

Great headline (and post)btw.

Anime9200 · 3 months ago

Being a new blogger, I would like to tell you that you have given me much knowledge about it. Thanks for everything.
regards
sears parts