Category: Blog

What Is an MSME and What Are the Eligibility Criteria

December 4th, 2021
The interplay of digital technology and policy reforms have paved an exciting way ahead for Indian MSMEs.
– Nikhil Arora, GoDaddy India

The atmosphere around MSMEs is encouraging despite the whipping the sector has received from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since 2020, MSMEs have been in the news as the Government of India is trying to revive the sector by introducing schemes like the Udyog Aadhar memorandum scheme, women entrepreneurship, and zero defect zero effect (ZED).

But what are MSMEs and why are they so important to India?

Let’s dive in.

What is an MSME?

MSME is short for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.

The Government of India introduced the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act, 2006 to regulate MSMEs engaged in the manufacturing, processing, or preservation of commodities and goods.

(Commodities are raw materials used to make goods. Good is a term used to define finished products. For instance, atta is a commodity and bread is goods.)

Source: IBEF
- The number of registered MSME units increased to 2.5 million in 2020 after the Udyog Aadhaar Memorandum policy was launched.
- India has approximately 63.4 million MSMEs presently.
- The number of MSMEs increased by a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 18.5% between 2019 and 2020.
(CAGR is defined as the mean annual growth rate of an investment over a particular period longer than one year.)

MSMEs are considered the backbone or the growth engine of the Indian economy because they provide a boost to the socio-economic development of the country.

The sector contributes immensely to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and exports:
- The share of MSME Gross Value Added (GVA) in the GDP was 30% for 2019-20.
- The share of MSME product exports to India’s exports was 49.5% in 2020-21.
MSMEs boost entrepreneurship development in semi-urban and rural areas of India.
- As per data from the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), micro-enterprises employed 5.95 lakh people in 2020-21.
- MSMEs have created 12 crore jobs, according to CII.
Now that we have an idea of the importance of the MSME sector, let’s understand how the government defines MSMEs.

Eligibility criteria for MSMEs

According to the provisions of the MSMED Act, 2006, MSMEs are categorized into two heads:
- Manufacturing enterprises
- Service enterprises
These enterprises are further sub-categorized based on investment in plant and equipment and annual turnover.

Source: MSMEX

The latest criteria (effective July 2020) for the classification of micro, small, and medium enterprises are:
- Micro Enterprise:
- Investment does not exceed INR 1 crore
- Turnover does not exceed INR 5 crores
- Small Enterprise:
- Investment does not exceed INR 10 crores
- Turnover does not exceed INR 50 crores
- Medium Enterprise:
- Investment does not exceed INR 50 crores
- Turnover does not exceed INR 250 crores
If you intend to establish a micro, small, or medium business, you’re encouraged to register on the government’s portal.

Registration is not mandatory but you stand to gain a variety of benefits, some of which we will explore in detail ahead.

MSME registration process

Previously, business owners had to file for a Udyog Aadhar Memorandum (UAM). Since October 21, 2021, MSMEs can register online at the Udyam Registration portal. The system is integrated with income tax and GSTIN systems.
- Registration is free, paperless, and based on self-declaration.
- After registration, a permanent registration number is provided and a certificate is generated online.
- Registration does not have to be renewed periodically.
- While the registration process does not require you to upload any proof, you should have the following: PAN, GSTIN, and Aadhar.
Benefits of MSME Registration

The government has incentivized registration with a bevy of benefits:
- Collateral-free credit available under The Credit Guarantee Trust Fund Scheme
- 50% subsidy on patent registration fees
- 1% overdraft interest rate exemption
- Eligible for subsidies for industrial promotion
- Protection against delayed payments: Buyers are required to make payments on or before the agreed date or within 15 days of receiving goods/services.
- Concessions on electricity bills
- Reimbursement of ISO certification expenses
How is the government encouraging MSMEs?

The government is pushing hard to spur the growth of MSMEs, especially since the sector has borne the brunt of the economic turndown due to COVID-19.

Take a look at these initiatives:
- In July 2021, retail and wholesale trades were added to the MSME sector to increase economic growth.
- The government has also doubled the budget allocation for MSMEs in FY22 to INR 15,700 crores.
- MSMEs are encouraged to market their products on the Government e-Marketplace (GEM), from where PSUs and Ministries source their procurement.
- MSMEs are also encouraged to adopt digital payments instead of cash.
Summing up

The government wants to double India’s economy to US$5 trillion in the next five years. To achieve this goal, it is looking to the MSME sector to generate more employment opportunities.

Hence, a variety of schemes related to skill development training, credit and financial assistance, marketing assistance, and quality and technological upgrades have been introduced.

Let’s look forward to a stronger, more self-reliant India!

Written as part of Blogchatter’s campaign #ECommerceInnovation.

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Mojo Box – A great way to sample brands before buying them.
[Book Review] Twilight’s Temptation by Shilpa Suraj

November 9th, 2021

Front cover

Genre: Romance

Publication date: August 5, 2021

Length: 209 pages

Buy here: https://amzn.to/3wtljiq

Blurb

The ace photographer and the supermodel, they should have been a match made in heaven. Instead, they fought like the demons of hell.

Complicated, surly, and sexy, Manav Apte was probably the only photographer who resented his muse. From the day he’d seen her, there had been no other. Unfortunately, she was the one woman he could never have.

Passionate, talented, and gorgeous, Diana Severes refused to give the temperamental ass behind the camera the satisfaction of knowing he got under her skin. It was, however, impossible not to notice him or his glowering disapproval that trailed her everywhere she went.

Their dislike and distrust of each other is legendary in the fashion industry and yet, the sparks that fly when they come together for work are enough to light the sets on fire.

Will the Golden Girl of India’s fashion scene be able to see beyond his hatred to the love he’s desperately trying to mask? And will the country’s most talented photographer realise that his true talent lies not in what he views through his lens but what he sees through the filter of his heart?

My Review of Twilight’s Temptation

Twilight’s Temptation follows the drama-filled and heartwarming Midnight’s Star where we oohed and aahed over Dev and Avni’s instant attraction to each other.

On the other hand, Diana and Manav’s relationship can only be called explosive. They’re fiercely attracted to each other yet they stay apart for much of the story. Theirs is a story of much pain, too many misunderstandings, and plenty of ego trips.

The author has a humorous and sassy style of writing that I deeply enjoy. It feels contemporary and real. I could be reading about the girl and guy next door!

Manav’s painful past is carefully picked apart layer by layer until we understand much of what drives him. With his story, the author uncovers different personality types and family dynamics. The showdown between two family members at the end had me fearing the worst.

Diana could easily be the woman of my dreams – smart, diplomatic, and successful. She navigates social minefields with practiced ease. She’s in full control of her life, with the exception of her heartstrings. She’s an example of why we shouldn’t judge only by looks.

Twilight’s Temptation is a bittersweet story of two people deeply in love yet failing to find a middle ground because of their differences. Yet, as a reader, I held on to hope until the end.

Was I rewarded or disappointed? Why don’t you read the book to find out?

I’m sure you won’t be able to put it down because you’ll be pulled into the drama of it all.

(I received an e-copy from Blogchatter with a request for an honest review. This review is powered by Blogchatter Book Review Program.)

About Shilpa Suraj

A published author with Harlequin India, Locksley Hall and Juggernaut, Shilpa Suraj writes stories that are sweet, tender, angsty and passionate. While romance and women’s fiction are her favourite genres, she believes that at the end of the day, all that matters is the story.

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with VoxBox.
Productivity Methods Series: Eat That Frog

September 27th, 2021
“If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.”
Mark Twain

This quirky piece of advice by Mark Twain is the basis of a simple productivity method called Eat That Frog. It was developed by Brian Tracy, a productivity consultant, who wrote the book Eat That Frog! 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time.

Source: Readingraphics

According to Tracy, your “frog” is your “biggest, most important task, the one you are most likely to procrastinate on if you don’t do something about it.” He feels that focusing on the “ugliest frog” is the path to success, happiness, respect, and status.

Who should try this method?
If the following sound like you, then you should give Eat That Frog a try:
- You get many tasks done during the day, but don’t make progress on the most important ones.
- You find it difficult to follow the popular productivity systems.
- Your to-do list is so overwhelming that you put off starting work on it.
- You procrastinate because you have trouble starting off on your most difficult tasks.
- You have trouble deciding when to do which task.
Bill Clinton had said that we tend to overestimate what can be done in a year, but underestimate how much can be accomplished in a decade. This is true of shorter periods, too.

We overestimate how much can be done in a day, but underestimate how much can be completed in a year.

Eat That Frog helps you overcome the mental resistance to starting bigger tasks and gives you the push needed to tick off the most important tasks on your list first.

When applied consistently, Eat That Frog will help you get the most difficult AND important tasks (that help you get closer to your goals) done.
Steps of “Eat That Frog”

In his book, Tracy explains 21 steps to plan, prioritize, and execute your most important tasks. He surmises that people tend to do one of these when faced with a huge list of to-dos:

A – They procrastinate on big, important, and difficult tasks till the deadline is almost up and ramp up stress levels

B – They do “busywork,” i.e. finish off all the tiny, not-so-important tasks to avoid having to do the big tasks.

Both approaches are wrong because they’re not helping you get close to your goal in any way. You must focus on the impact of each task you’re doing and not depend on ticking tasks off a checklist.

The core of this productivity method is, however, a simple three-step process:
- Identify your frog i.e. most difficult AND most important task. This task helps you reach your goal (s).
- “Eat your frog” first thing in the morning i.e. don’t put it off for later.
- Repeat every day.
Once you’ve got the frog out of the way, you will find it easier to get the rest of the tasks done.

The cumulative effects of this simple habit will result in big accomplishments.

Why should the frog be tackled in the morning?

That’s because you tend to be the most productive first thing in the morning and can focus your energies on getting the high-priority tasks out of the way. It also makes for a more relaxed, pleasant rest of the day.

How do you identify your “frog?”

You use the Eisenhower Matrix to label and prioritize your tasks.

Source: Clockwise

First, you create a list of tasks that you need to complete the next day.

Next, place them in one of the four quadrants of the Eisenhower matrix:

Quadrant 1: Tasks that you don’t want to do, but must complete

Quadrant 2: Tasks that you want to do, and must complete

Quadrant 3: Tasks that you want to do, but don’t need to complete

Quadrant 4: Tasks that you don’t want to do, and don’t need to complete

Your “frogs” will lie in quadrant 1 – everyday tasks you’re dragging your feet on, but you really must get them done. These tasks are also called the Most Important Tasks (MIT).

Work on the tasks in quadrant 1 first thing in the morning and then move on to the other quadrants.

What happens if you have two frogs?

If you have trouble prioritizing between two seemingly ugly, important, and difficult tasks, use the ABCDE technique to decide.

Create a list of the tasks that you need to complete the next day.

Label each task with a letter:

A – most important task that will lead to serious consequences if you don’t get it done

B – next most important task that may not have as serious consequences but still needs to be done

C – a task you could do but won’t have any serious consequences if you didn’t do it

D – a task that you can delegate to others to give yourself more time to do “A” tasks

E – a task you don’t really have to do and can remove from your list

Finish “A” task first and only then move on to the others.

Benefits of Eat That Frog
- You use the most productive hours of the day to get important tasks done.
- It’s simple, flexible, and almost universally applicable.
- It helps you set your own agenda instead of focusing on doing other people’s work.
- It encourages a habit of doing deep work i.e. distraction-free blocks of work time.
- It forces you to focus on less and prevents you from overestimating the number of tasks you can do in a day.
Tips to get the most out of Eat That Frog
1. Pick tasks that can be completed within 1-4 hours.
Your “frog” should ideally be completed in 4 hours so that you can check the task off your list before lunch. Clearly define the task so that you’re not afraid to get started.

2. Break down big tasks into smaller ones.

If your “frog” is too big to be eaten before lunch, break it down into smaller sub-tasks. Each of these sub-tasks is a new frog.

Source: Toodledo

3. Don’t schedule tasks way ahead in time.

It is not possible to accurately forecast tasks well into the future so avoid the temptation of scheduling your “frogs” for the week. Identify your frogs one day at a time.

4. List your frogs the night before.

Before the end of the day, plan your frog(s) for the next day. You have enough information to know what to do the next day, but not so much that you feel like procrastinating.

Start with one frog for the day and if you get comfortable with the concept, increase the number. There’s no set number of frogs to be done in a day.

Final Thoughts

The effectiveness of Eat That Frog comes from its focus on the impact of tasks rather than completing a set number of tasks. By getting the most difficult task out of the way in the morning, you set yourself up for a happy, endorphin-filled rest of the day. It works wonders for your motivation to get through the day.

I’m taking my blog to the next level with Blogchatter’s My Friend Alexa.
Productivity Methods Series: The Pomodoro Technique

September 16th, 2021
Set your timer for 25 minutes and start working!

Photo source: Photo by Danielle MacInnes on Unsplash

Parkinson’s law says that work expands to fill up the time available for its completion. The more time you assign to a task, the longer it takes to complete the task.

That’s why (most of) you do not finish your work until the deadline comes around.

You push it for later or drag it along until there’s no time left. Sometimes, you miss deadlines because you’re waiting for that sense of urgency to descend upon you to motivate you to work.

How can you develop a more disciplined approach to work?

One way is to use the Pomodoro Technique or variations of it.

What is the Pomodoro Technique?

The Pomodoro Technique is a task management approach that requires you to complete tasks in specific boxes of time. You take a break after each pocket of focused time and after a few sessions, you take a longer break to rest your fatigued brain.

“Pomodoro” means “tomato” in Italian. The technique was developed by Francesco Cirillo when he was a university student in the late 1980s to help him complete his assignments. He used an egg timer shaped like a tomato, hence the name.

Don’t be fooled by the simple nature of the Pomodoro Technique. It can help you improve focus and build concentration.

In the context of this technique, a “pomodoro” is an inseparable unit of time and effort. It represents a focused session of work.

Who will benefit from the Pomodoro Technique?

You need the Pomodoro Technique if:
- you get easily distracted and allow these distractions to waste the entire day
- you underestimate the time required to complete your tasks, thus taking longer
- you perform a lot of open-ended work such as writing, coding, or studying
- you feel overwhelmed by a large number of tasks on your to-do list
- you are unable to start work because your tasks seem too large
- you sit at your desk all day but have little to show for it by the end
If any of this sounds like you, please read ahead.

The 6 steps of the Pomodoro Technique

At its core, the Pomodoro Technique has six steps:
1. Select a task from your to-do list.
You can break down larger tasks into smaller sub-tasks to make them easier to complete. Small and similar tasks such as checking email or social media can be clubbed to be completed in one pomodoro.

2. Set your timer for 25 minutes.

Use a physical or digital timer. Set it to ring after 25 minutes. This period is one pomodoro.

3. Work on the task.

Focus on your work for 25 minutes. No distractions (gadgets, people, noises) allowed.

4. Check the task on your to-do list.

When the timer rings, place a check mark on your pomodoro.

5. Take a 5-minute break.

Rest for five minutes away from your place of work. Eat a snack, listen to a song, take a quick walk, or even a power nap.

6. After 4 pomodoros, take a longer break.

You can take a 25-30 minute break after working through four pomodoros.

Physical timer

Photo source: Photo by Tristan Gassert on Unsplash

A common objection to this technique is that 25 minutes may not be enough to complete a task and the 5-minute break does more harm than good. This is true of tasks that require “creative flow,” such as writing or composing music.

You can use Pomodoro variations to help you tweak the technique to suit your needs.
- Try working for 90 minutes at a stretch and then taking a 30-minute break, in tune with the body’s ultradian rhythms.
- If you work from home, try to fit pomodoros around your household tasks. For instance, work on a task until your washing machine completes its wash cycle.
- A Desktime study has suggested that 52 minutes on, 17 minutes off could be the ideal mix.
What happens if you get interrupted?

An important point to note is that you are not allowed to entertain any interruptions during a pomodoro.

You cannot have a quick chat with a colleague or a family member.

You cannot check social media or your emails.

You cannot have a 5-minute phone call to finish up a trivial task.

No interruptions, whatsoever.

But life isn’t always so convenient, is it? You do have interruptions.

According to Cirillo, you have two choices:
- You abandon the pomodoro and attend to the interruption. Later, you start another pomodoro to complete your task.
Or,
- You use the INSC (Inform, Negotiation, Schedule, and Call back) strategy:
a) Inform the interrupting party that you are busy and cannot attend to their request right away.

b) Negotiate a later time when you will attend to their request.

c) Schedule a meeting at the agreed time.

d) Call back the person after you have completed your pomodoro.

Don’t get distracted by social media or emails!

Photo source: Photo by Nubelson Fernandes on Unsplash

Why can’t you just attend to a request during a pomodoro, especially if it’s a small one?

Because it takes time to regain focus — at least 23 minutes — after an interruption.

That’s almost the length of an entire pomodoro!

You may think you’re great at task switching but you don’t realize that you aren’t working at your full potential until after 20 minutes of the interruption.

Think about it. Haven’t you gotten more and better quality work done when in deep focus for a long time?

What are the benefits of the Pomodoro Technique?

There are several!
- Helps you accurately estimate the time taken for each task, allowing you to plan better
- Improves your concentration over time
- Teaches you to manage interruptions without losing focus
- Helps you tackle task overwhelm by breaking large tasks into manageable chunks
- Builds motivation by allowing you to complete big tasks bit by bit
- Gets you over “starting trouble” with difficult, challenging, or big tasks
- Reduces stress over deadlines by helping you get tasks done gradually
Tips to use the Pomodoro Technique effectively

Tools and techniques are only as good as the person using them.

Here are some tips to help you leverage the Pomodoro Technique better:

a) If you finish your task before the timer rings, use the remaining time to either review your work or spend it in overlearning – improving your skills and knowledge. Read industry blogs or research papers, finish a course module, or conduct research for another task.

b) When you begin a fresh pomodoro, challenge yourself to do better than the previous one. Review your work at the end of each pomodoro, compare and analzye.

c) Schedule no more than 12-15 pomodoros in a day. Push the less important tasks to the next day.

d) You don’t have to schedule the whole work day into pomodoros. Use the morning to get in a few hours of uninterrupted work using pomodoros and continue with the rest of the day as usual.

e) Use 15 minutes at the end of your day to plan the next day’s tasks. Or use the first 15 minutes of your day to plan the tasks for the day.

f) If your work involves looking into a screen, get away from it during your break. Allow your eyes and brain to refresh and recharge.

g) If social media easily distracts you, use apps to block them while you work in pomodoros.

Enjoy this lovely infographic on the Pomodoro Technique:

Source: www.elvindantes.com

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla and powered by Deyga.

I’m taking my blog to the next level with Blogchatter’s My Friend Alexa.
How to Write Compelling Headlines that Boost Clicks

August 19th, 2021
There are more than 500 million blogs out of 1.7 billion websites on the Internet (as of 2021).

Around 7 million blog posts are published each day.

In this constant stream of information, how can you get readers to read your blog post?

The answer is not clickbait.

You’re competing for people’s attention and you also want to keep them coming back to your blog.

Clickbait headlines may improve your click-through rates initially, but when people find out that your content does not keep the promise your headline made, they will leave and never return.

Source: CoSchedule

On average, 8 out of 10 people read headlines, whereas only 2 out of 10 people read the rest of the copy. This means that you cannot depend on stellar content to pull in readers. You must spend some time perfecting your headline to grab the most eyeballs.

You also need to be mindful of SEO best practices to help you rank higher in search.

Here are some tips, based on research, to write headlines that drive more clicks:

1. Place your main keyword to the front of the headline

Headlines can be SEO-friendly if you pay attention to your keywords.

Try to place your main keyword as far left of the headline as possible without sounding unnatural. If possible, begin the headline with the main keyword.

There are several reasons why this is helpful:

a) Your main keyword matches the search string that most people use to look for information. Placing it near the beginning of the headline tells the search engine that it is more relevant than the other words.

b) Readers scan headlines and tend to read the first three and the last three words in them. (Usability research by Jakob Nielsen)

2. Show the benefit upfront

People read articles to learn new information, get fresh ideas, or develop new skills.

Write a specific, clear headline that tells readers what the takeaway is.

Readers only care about the benefit they will get from reading your piece. They do not care how long it took you to write it or how attached you are to it.

Think from the perspective of your reader when you frame the headline. What will they gain after reading your article?

Headlines that begin with “How to…” appear to have greater click-through rates and rank higher on search results because most people type in search requests using a similar format.

In fact, I’ve framed the headline of this article using the “How to…” format.

Power Trigrams

Buzzsumo conducted a study on writing “good” headlines that got shared the most on social media. They found that headlines that placed certain trigrams (groups of three words) in the beginning were shared more often by people.

Of course, your content should match the promise your headline makes to the reader.

Clarity

Readers will understand what your article is about when your headline is crystal clear.

Conductor found that readers preferred certain types of headlines:
- Normal headline – “Ways to read more books and slay your TBR”
- Question headline – “Do you know how you can read more books and slay your TBR?”
- How to headline – “How to read more books and slay your TBR”
- Number headline – “5 ways to read more books and slay your TBR”
- Reader-addressing headline – “What you can do to read more books and slay your TBR”
They found that number headlines and reader-addressing headlines were most popular and shared by more people on social media.

Number headlines are most popular because they are clear and specific about the benefit to readers. Reader-addressing headlines speak directly to the reader, either demanding action or giving specific advice.

Normal headlines, on the other hand, are slightly vague about the perceived benefit to the reader.

3. Use numbers

This tip follows from the previous one — being specific.

Headlines that start with a number have a greater click-through rate than those that don’t.
- A number that the article can be scanned to get answers.
- Numbers make it clear to the reader that there is a tangible benefit to the article.
- A number stands out in a headline composed of words.
Remember that most readers scan articles when looking for useful information. A list format works better than chunks of text.

Also, numbers don’t always have to indicate that the article is a list. They could be statistics and data to indicate that the article is based on research.

Source: Orbit Media

Trends in using numbers in headlines
- Headlines with odd numbers have 20% higher click-through rates than headlines with even numbers.
- Landing page headlines with a number in it have 30% higher conversions.
- Smaller numbers (up to 15) tell the reader that the article is concise and the useful points can be easily gleaned.
- Larger numbers tell readers that the article is comprehensive and will answer all their questions.
- Headlines with the number 7 get more click-throughs than other numbers.
4. Write a headline with 5-9 words

Outbrain’s research showed that “titles with eight words had the highest click-through rates, with these headers performing 21% better than average…”

Quicksprout, on the other hand, says that a good headline should have 6 words. If people have less words to read, they are likely to retain more of it.

Also, headlines closer to 55 characters generate higher click-through rates.

Overall, short headlines are more successful than long headlines at attracting more readers.

You should attempt to make each word in the headline work towards getting people to click on it.

Another point to note is that search engine results cut off titles after 65 characters that include spaces.

Thus, your impact words should be closer to the front of the headline.

5. Craft a headline with two parts

Shorter headlines tend to work better but that does not mean that longer headlines are a no-no.

Headlines with two parts i.e. separated by punctuation marks like hyphens, colons, or brackets work better than single sentences and can increase click-through rates.

According to Content Marketing Institute, when a colon or hyphen was placed in the title to indicate a subtitle, the headline performed 9% better than headlines that did not have it.

Source: Coschedule

Source: CoSchedule

6. Use strong adjectives, power words, trigger words

Powerful adjectives can transform a boring headline into an attractive one.

Adjectives convey emotion and personality to the reader.

e.g. valuable, useful, wonderful, terrifying, strange.

Also use power words to elicit an emotional response in the reader. Your goal is to get a response, be it curiosity, shock, anger, or laughter.

Here are some examples of power words:

Source: Flothemes

Trigger words like What, Why, How, When, and Which are equally important in headlines because they tell the reader that the article will give them an answer to their question.

e.g. How Can You Write SEO-Friendly Articles? [Including a Free Template]

This and These create intrigue and compel readers to click on the headline to find the answer quickly.

e.g. Are You Making These 5 Deadly Mistakes?

7. Use Negative Words

This tip is a bit controversial and surprising, but bad news appears to sell.

Outbrain’s research has shown that the average click-through rates on headlines with negative superlatives were 63% higher than those with positive headlines.

Negative superlatives – Worst, Never

Positive superlatives – Best, Always, Most

Source: CXL

There are some theories around why people are more attracted to negative headlines:

a) Positive headlines have been over-abused and have become cliché. They do not hold reader interest any longer because they’re considered to be exaggerated.

b) Positive headlines do not deliver on the promise they offer. What is sold as “best” may not really be the best there is.

c) Positive headlines make readers question the credibility of the article. Often, readers wonder whether the writer was paid to compile the list of “top” things.

d) Negative headlines tend to shock readers. They want to know what they’re doing wrong or what they should absolutely avoid.

e) Negative headlines are perceived to be unbiased and impartial. Strangely, a negative account is considered to be honest rather than a positive account.

Final Thoughts

Quicksprout recommends that you spend half the time it takes to write an article on crafting a persuasive headline.

It is a good practice to draft several headlines and then pick the one with the most impact.

You can use online headline analyzer tools to gauge how your headline will fare. I use these tools:
What do you think about the headline for this article?

Do you have any ideas for a better headline?

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla and sponsored by Bakez by Daizy.

References: