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Start making a list of keywords that tag the article. Put them in relevance order. If you could only use one key word, which would that be? Then list the rest of the keywords in relevance order.
Some SEO experts believe that Google looks at the beginning of a title, in determining ranking. If "Bipartisan" is the most relevant word in your article, then it should be at the beginning of the article. If "financial rescue" is the most relevant key word/phrase, then THAT should be at the start of the title.
When you're coming up with a title, if you can also add mystery, promise, emotion and/or threat, that's even better. But all those other extras will never be seen if the search engine doesn't find your article because the title fails to use the essential keywords.
I can't tell you, as an editor-in=chief, publishing over 1000 articles a month, how many obscure, meaningless titles I see come into the queue. Often, the writer has spent hours or days working hard on creating an superb article, then, as an afterthought, with minimal effort or conscious thought, drops a title on it-- a title that can literally slash the potential number of readers by 50 or even 90%. If you have a great, SEO article, it will also have a better chance of being headlined.
Good articles tell you, as soon as you look at them, what the article is about. Great articles tell you what the article is about, get your emotions churned and rouse your interest.
The most winning articles use key words, the most important key words first.
Keep in mind that I'm talking about article titles designed for online search engine optimization (SEO.) It's a whole different ball game if you're working on a book title. But that's a different conversation.
Now, this article is not at all complete. I am certain that there is much more wisdom on the web, about creating brilliant titles that max out readership. There is no doubt that other strategies for creating killer titles are easily found. That's the beauty of an article site that includes comments. YOU the reader become part of the equation. I'm hoping that the advice in the comments far exceeds the value of my "priming the article title idea pump."
BTW, if you are not a writer who contributes to OpEdNews.com, and you just happened to find this article, please DO consider posting or crossposting articles of all sorts here. We love new writers, especially ones who know how to create great titles.
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