So, after all that work, did you find a formula for the perfect headline? There is a way of writing a headline that will get you more shares. It requires:

Emotion: There’s an emotional element you need in your headline. Is it beautiful, shocking?
Genre: You have to tell the reader was to expect. What is the content? Is it images? Facts? Charts? Quotes? Video?
Topic: In any industry, there are en vogue topics: Uber, artificial intelligence, machine learning, Donald Trump. Or perennial topics that are always en vogue like cats, dogs, babies, long life, and love.
Format: Is it a list? A quiz? A story? A research post?

Headlines work better when these four elements are included. The fifth and most important element is that the overall headline has to have a promise. When we analyzed those top headlines, “Will Make You” was the top phrase on Facebook by miles and it’s because it connects the content to the impact on the reader. So, something will make you more productive, more informed, happier, whatever it may be – there’s a clear promise in the headline.

How to Write Viral Headlines + Amplify Content: Q+A with BuzzSumo Director Steve Rayson