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4 Steps to Using ChatGPT to Craft Winning Headlines

Author: Paula Marolewski

Struggling to come up with a headline that packs a punch for your blog or article? You’re not alone. Crafting a title that grabs attention, teases your content, and makes readers want to click (and read!) is no small feat. Now, however, you can breathe a sigh of relief, because ChatGPT can help you add the much-desired pop at the top.

That being said, you have to know how to interact with ChatGPT to get what you are looking for. ChatGPT does not always act like a vending machine where you put your coin in and get your item out. You have to work with it and work at it. Here are four steps to using ChatGPT to craft winning headlines!

 

Step 1: Recognize that the first draft is just a first draft.

Let’s suppose you have written a blog about conflict resolution. You copy and paste the blog into ChatGPT (so that it has all the content to refer to) and ask it to give you three headline options. Just that: “give me three headline options for this blog.” ChatGPT responds with:

  • “Turning Tension into Triumph: Mastering the Art of Conflict Resolution”
  • “From Clash to Collaboration: Effective Strategies for Resolving Conflicts”
  • “Conflict Calm: Proven Techniques for Navigating and Resolving Disputes”

Are these solid headlines? Certainly. And they might be just what you are looking for. But let’s suppose that they leave you feeling dissatisfied …

 

Step 2: Refine your ask and get more options on the table.

You realize that the whole “long-titles-that-use-a-colon-in-the-middle” thing isn’t working for you. You want something shorter and snappier with no punctuation. If that’s the case, tell that to ChatGPT. You don’t have to agonize about how to position your request – simply say it like you think it: “give me three more options that are shorter and snapper without the colon.”

ChatGPT might then give you something like this:

  • “Master Conflict with Ease”
  • “Turn Tension into Teamwork”
  • “Resolve Conflicts Like a Pro”

These headlines are cleaner, quicker, and easier on the eyes. But what if you still want more?

 

Step 3: Push the envelope … as many times as necessary.

The headlines from the second iteration are concise, but perhaps they don’t have the pizzazz you want. Tell that to ChatGPT. Again, you don’t have to get fancy with your request; you can literally just say “more pizzazz.” ChatGPT now gives you:

  • “Conquer Conflicts with Confidence”
  • “Conflict? Conquer It!”
  • “Flip the Script on Conflict”

Now, you feel like you’re getting somewhere. This might be just right – or not. If it’s not, keep pushing. For instance, you might say “give me some provocative options,” in which case you might get:

  • “Why You’re Losing at Conflict and How to Win Big”
  • “The Shocking Truth About Conflict Resolution: What You’re Missing”
  • “Think You’re Great at Handling Conflict? Think Again”

Or you might want to really leverage an analogy or metaphor, so you say, “now options that paint a picture or use an analogy.” ChatGPT comes up with:

  • “Turning Fire into Fuel: Transform Conflict into Opportunity”
  • “From Ice to Fire: Melting the Cold Front of Conflict”
  • “Conflict as a Chess Game: Strategic Moves for Winning Resolutions”

As the iterations progress, ChatGPT might give you options that don’t meet all your previous specifications. For instance, the above set brought back in the use of the colon. If you have not yet found your perfect title, keep methodically requesting more options and specifying what you are looking for.

 

Step 4: Feel free to mix and match, edit, and discard.

One of the titles that ChatGPT comes up with during the iterative process may be exactly what you are looking for. But, if not, remember that you are not restricted to those AI-generated options. You might find that a certain phrase in one title pairs well with a word or approach in another title, so mix and match as you please! Or, you might edit one of the options using your own “insider knowledge” or flair for words. And, of course, you might discard all of the options because, with ChatGPT priming the pump, you suddenly come up with the perfect title on your own.

You might be wondering about the title examples in this blog: yes, they were all generated by ChatGPT using precisely the wording I have noted in each step. And the title for this blog? That was created by mixing, matching, and editing options generated by ChatGPT.

So, the next time you have a well-polished blog or article but aren’t sure how to make the title shine, fire up ChatGPT. Feed it your content, then ask for options, play with styles, and keep pushing until you get that headline you want that pops at the top!

 

 

 

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