Example 1:
Original Headline:
“More than 400 infections linked to preK-12 schools in state”
- It looks like it has since been edited to: “More than 400 coronavirus infections linked to preK-12 schools in Minnesota” which is a bit more descriptive, but a smidge long and not the most engaging.
URL: Star Tribune, main Minneapolis paper
https://www.startribune.com/more-than-400-coronavirus-infections-linked-to-pre-k-12-schools-in-minnesota/600097838/
Suggested Headline:
“Back to school and to square one? Delta variant spikes at local schools”
- Delta variant is higher on Google trends than “COVID” alone.
- Back to school/school is relevant on Google trends due to time of year
- “Spike” is relevant on google trends (vs. similar language such as “on the rise”) because the word is often used in general COVID language and in COVID vaccine language (e.g. “spike protein”)
Suggested Push Notification:
“Delta variant on the rise at local schools, likely including yours”
- Story details are there even if someone doesn’t tap
- Feels more personal because it shows up on someone’s phone, use of “yours”
Example 2:
Original Headline:
“Opening soon: Beloved bakery destroyed by a flood reopens October 9”
URL/Source: Axios Charlotte
https://charlotte.axios.com/252277/the-batchmaker-is-back-almost/
Suggested Headline:
“Pumpkin spice and everything nice. The Batch House reopens.”
- “Pumpkin spice” is trending on Google and many of the baker’s featured desserts at the grand opening even look to be pumpkin-based. I chose to use pumpkin spice” as it has a much stronger trend line than “pumpkin” alone.
- I also felt this was an appropriate, easily interpreted pun in a channel that makes sense (Axios is a much more conversational/casual outlet than say, the Charlotte Observer or NYT).
- I chose not to include the date in the headline as it adds unnecessary characters in my opinion. Lovers of the Batch House will click to get that information and it could also be a great place to hyperlink in the article, prompting people to sign up for a grand opening for example. Ultimately, I think the date is better served in a push notification.
Suggested Push Notification:
“Your plans on 10/9: Batch House Bakery’s grand reopening”
- Again, made this more personal by using “your” and chose to command the reader
- Included date here but used shorthand to save characters
- Used word reopening as most know the story of this beloved local bakery’s flooding last year. The reopening has been a long-awaited event in Charlotte so keeping it simple and letting people know that it is here with the date would be a successful push in my opinion.
Example 3:
Original Headline:
“20th Anniversary of 9/11 Brings Remembrances and a Special Moment for a Country Day Senior”
URL: Charlotte Country Day News (on their main website); Charlotte Private School
https://www.charlottecountryday.org/news-events/news-details-page/~board/school-news/post/9-11-need-a-good-title
Suggested Headline:
“YES program student, E. Omari, leads special 9/11 remembrance”
- I thought the most interesting part of the article was Congress’ YES program and the fact that Country Day has a student from the program. That helps frame why it was special that the student was willing to be a leader of the 9/11 remembrance.
- My hope is that the mystery of the YES program (assuming not a ton of people know about it), would encourage clicks.
- Aside: When reading the article, I think some key information was left out; I know the marketing director there so I’m curious to ping her about it, but it seems the whole story/conversation Omari and his coach had (that is referenced) was left out.
Suggested Push Notification:
“Who is the YES student at Country Day? Read to find out.”
- School push notifications aren’t usually “breaking news,” therefore, if a school is doing pushes for the articles they put on their website, I think it is critical for them to lead with mystery or something that would make it feel clickworthy.
- In this circumstance, I think a question is appropriate as it serves as a mystery for a closed (school) community that has a vested interest in any special student status within their community.