A tumultuous year, with political chaos extending far beyond the US, and natural disasters causing devastation. NPR’s international and national security correspondents stayed busy covering world events, including North-South tensions, Britain’s struggle to leave the European Union and a show-stealing eye roll during a Chinese parliament session. They also covered the plight of endangered wildlife, the anger of Canadians and Mexico’s response to migrants and a heartbreaking story about an old lion named Sudan who died at a conservancy in Kenya.
Google, which keeps track of what’s trending in the US, also looked at searches for its top headlines from 2018. Political stories like a contentious Supreme Court battle and the midterm elections made the list along with tragedies including school shootings and Hurricane Florence.
Whether they appear on your website, blog, social media or in a LinkedIn ad, your headlines need to pack a punch. They need to hook your audience, tell them why they should care and give a glimpse of what’s inside your article. Writing compelling headlines is easier when you keep your audience and brand voice in mind. You also need to write them to fit the format of your platform.