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42 Comments

  1. Angela
    2010-08-09 @ 8:39 am

    Hey guys! What a great post! I had never thought about this before but I really like the idea of putting together content that will stand the test of time. This is a great thing to be conscious of when putting together posts. Thanks for sharing this!

    • Pat & Lorna
      2010-08-09 @ 8:25 pm

      Angela,

      Having something that can help people and will be relevant to them for a long time is, to us, an important part of what we do. And… we also teach some “technical” things which we all know can change a lot. Each has it’s own unique function and importance… as you’ve said so well… a great thing to be conscious of.

      Thanks,
      ~ Pat and Lorna

  2. Angela
    2010-08-09 @ 8:40 am

    Hey guys! This is a great post! I had never thought about this before but I really like the idea of putting together content that will stand the test of time. This is a great thing to be conscious of when putting together posts.

  3. Kathy Jodrey
    2010-08-09 @ 9:47 am

    This is something that we all should consider when writing blog posts, articles, etc. Headlines are the hook that draw our readers in. They need to capture the attention of our readers, or they will be on to the next best thing.

    Thanks for giving us some insight into the logistics of writing effective headlines. I will definitely take your advice to heart!

    • Pat & Lorna
      2010-08-09 @ 8:27 pm

      Kathy,

      Oh yes, people will not be too keen on reading any further than the heading if it doesn’t reach out and grab them… darn those short attention spans of ours…

      Thanks,
      ~ Pat and Lorna

  4. Joseph McDevitt
    2010-08-09 @ 10:04 am

    Pat & Lorna, Wow, some really good information here! Some things I guess I never really considered. Principle centered vs. News centered. Sounds like some very important things to consider when choosing a headline for our post or article. Thanks for the very useful tips! Joseph McDevitt

    • Pat & Lorna
      2010-08-09 @ 8:28 pm

      Joseph,

      Your most welcome… glad we could pass on something helpful.

      Thanks,
      ~ Pat and Lorna

  5. Scott Pollov
    2010-08-09 @ 11:11 am

    Pat and Lorna. As usual, you both have delivered some great nuggets of marketing advice. While getting a readers attention is critical, you really do have to be sure you match your content headline with what is actually in the content. Otherwise, people will simply start to tune out your messages in the future.

    • Pat & Lorna
      2010-08-09 @ 8:30 pm

      Scott,

      We definitely do not want to confuse and frustrate our readers… after all, they are our customers, or potential customers. Great point!!

      Thanks,
      ~ Pat and Lorna

  6. Linnea
    2010-08-09 @ 1:00 pm

    Hi Pat and Lorna,

    Great post and a wonderful tip. I haven’t heard anyone discuss or suggest principle-centered headlines thus far…only attention grabbing tactics. It makes perfect sense to ensure that at least some of your headlines are evergreen for long term success. Thanks a bunch!

    • Pat & Lorna
      2010-08-09 @ 8:36 pm

      Linnea,

      Yes, for people it’s not always about what’s new and today’s “thing”. People also want to know that they’re learning something that will be relevant for a long time to come.

      Thanks so much,
      ~ Pat and Lorna

  7. Lorri Ratzlaff
    2010-08-09 @ 4:35 pm

    This is a really excellent point, and one that I often forget! I try and make my headings STAND OUT, mostly by being odd, or funny 🙂 but that does not always work. I need to focus more on the news and/or principle centered headings!

    Thank you for this great advice!

    • Pat & Lorna
      2010-08-09 @ 8:41 pm

      Lori,

      Well, personally we like odd and funny 🙂 … but you’re right, probably not everyone does. It’s the content of your blog that will be news-centered or principal-centered… either talking about something new and current, or something that will be with your readers for a long time. You could still use a bold and flashy news-centered heading for a principal-centered post… as long as it lets the reader know what they’re in store for.

      Thanks,
      ~ Pat and Lorna

  8. Beth Allen
    2010-08-09 @ 4:45 pm

    This definitely makes sense. Headlines need to grab attention, but also be clear as to whether the piece is principle or news centered. I definitely am not a fan of deceptive marketing strategies, though it becomes more and more common as it gets harder and harder to capture people’s attention.

    Thanks for sharing this great information, Pat & Lorna!

    • Pat & Lorna
      2010-08-09 @ 8:43 pm

      Beth,

      Oh boy, do we know what you mean… a lot of times coming up with a heading takes almost as long as writing the post. It needs to grab people’s attention and be relevant all at the same time.

      Thanks,
      ~ Pat and Lorna

  9. Jeremiah M. Wean
    2010-08-09 @ 6:23 pm

    I’ve tried to create mostly evergreen content; however, my industry, mortgage, is ever evolving. But still some general principals apply. I’ve gotten the most views and comments on current news, stuff that people are very interested in, but it isn’t being covered anywhere. I received the most actions taken from evergreen pieces.

    • Pat & Lorna
      2010-08-09 @ 8:44 pm

      Jeremiah,

      It is interesting how you get different reactions to the different content. Seems like a mix of both types of content is a good thing.

      Thanks,
      ~ Pat and Lorna

  10. Melodie Kantner
    2010-08-09 @ 6:39 pm

    This is so true. Headlines, for me, are the toughest part. It seems like I spend more time on headlines than the articles. I think I have a mental block.

    • Pat & Lorna
      2010-08-09 @ 8:49 pm

      Melodie,

      We know what you mean! Although we need to look at what is in our message… and how do we want to have it perceived by our readers. Is it something they can use for a long time, or is it talking about the latest “craze”? This can help in determining how we want our readers to perceive what we are telling them.

      Thanks
      ~ Pat and Lorna

  11. Nelson
    2010-08-09 @ 6:50 pm

    Pat and Lorna, I usually try to grab with my Post Titles. Sometimes is works and some it doesn’t. One thing I have learned no matter what the Title, Heading, ect. if you don’t suck them in with the first Paragraph, kiss them good bye. Also by somehow working the Title into the first few sentences Google,the denizens of the dark side, will take notice Of course big mouth here violated both of those rules with this weeks post. Go Figure.

    • Pat & Lorna
      2010-08-09 @ 8:51 pm

      Nelson,

      Oh boy… do we agree with you. Get their attention quick or it wanders away pretty darn fast.

      And breaking the rules now and then is a good thing… 🙂

      Thanks so much,
      ~ Pat and Lorna

  12. Pat & Lorna
    2010-08-09 @ 8:34 pm

    Monty,

    Perhaps there are news-type articles and topics that can also deal with principals… that would depend on the content. It’s basically something that would have to be determined upon reviewing the website and it’s content.

    Thanks,
    ~ Pat and Lorna

  13. Maggie Lancy
    2010-08-10 @ 10:45 am

    Hi,

    A very interesting perspective.

    I always thought a headline that grabbed people’s attention was more of a attention getter although that may not stand the teat of time.

    Thanks for sharing
    Maggie

    • Pat & Lorna
      2010-08-10 @ 8:56 pm

      Maggie,

      It’s the content that is either news-centered or principal-centered… although it can apply to headlines as well. If you are someone who teaches the newest technologies, then your content will be more news-centered… if you teach things that deal with the principals in our lives, then of course your content will be more principal-centered.

      Thanks for the comment!
      ~ Pat and Lorna

  14. Maggie Lancy
    2010-08-10 @ 10:46 am

    TEST of time 🙂

    • Pat & Lorna
      2010-08-10 @ 8:57 pm

      Maggie,

      🙂 LOL!!

      ~ Pat and Lorna

  15. Kevin M.
    2010-08-11 @ 11:14 am

    Great comparison! I totally agree that principle centered posts are much better than news centered posts. I would much rather have my posts mean something a year from now(or later) than just for a day or two.

    • Pat & Lorna
      2010-08-12 @ 8:13 pm

      Kevin,

      Teaching life principals can make such a huge impact in peoples’ lives. We agree… it is so cool to have our message stand the test of time and add value to people’s lives for a significant amount of time.

      Thanks!
      ~ Pat and Lorna

  16. Pat & Lorna
    2010-08-12 @ 8:16 pm

    Darcy,

    Offering valuable information that can help others in their lives now and for time to come is something we value a lot. If people have the right principals, they can turn so many aspects of their lives into true success!

    Thanks,
    ~ Pat and Lorna

  17. Eiji Morishita
    2010-08-13 @ 10:41 am

    Wow Pat and Lorna!

    Knowing your purpose before you write the post is so helpful.

    I believe you need both. One to attract people short term and the other that allows the reader to get other relevant content that stands the test of time.

    Thank you for this simple yet powerful distinction.

    To Your Genius,
    Eiji

    • Pat & Lorna
      2010-08-13 @ 2:00 pm

      Eiji,

      “Knowing your purpose before you write”… a very cool statement. We really like the way you’ve worded that.

      Thanks so much for your comment… and for stopping by our blog.
      ~ Pat and Lorna

  18. Michael Berry
    2010-08-13 @ 2:56 pm

    You guys have such meaningful posts. I never thought about the difference but it’s huge. I will certainly consider is it principle centered or news centered every time when I post something or write anything to publish.

    Thanks,

    Michael

    • Pat & Lorna
      2010-08-13 @ 7:22 pm

      Michael,

      Thanks so much for the comment… and it is something to think about. Sometimes both types work and sometimes one will be more appropriate than the other.

      ~ Pat and Lorna

  19. Jacqueline Green
    2010-08-13 @ 4:15 pm

    I’ve read posts of yours where you’ve suggested evergreen comments. I love that you are applying this concept to blog posts now. Thanks for the inspiring and useful tips!

    • Pat & Lorna
      2010-08-13 @ 7:29 pm

      Jacqueline,

      Thanks so much for stopping by and for the comment… we appreciate you!

      ~ Pat and Lorna

  20. Pat & Lorna
    2010-08-13 @ 7:18 pm

    Tim,

    Headline grabbin’ is great… and the cool thing is your content can be newsy and up to date… or it can be principal-based and be relative over a long period of time. Grab their attention with the headline and then follow with the content that suits your message.

    Thanks,
    ~ Pat and Lorna

  21. Bruce Backman
    2010-08-13 @ 10:37 pm

    It is interesting to think about it this way. I often think about my blog posts in these general terms but it is nice to put a simple label on the concept. I will consider before I write something how long of a “shelf-life” it will have. If it is really important for the moment, I will tackle it and spend the time…otherwise I have tended to think about posts that are more philisophical or have a really long “shelf-life.”

    Thanks you guys.

    • Pat & Lorna
      2010-08-15 @ 6:59 pm

      Bruce,

      “Shelf-life” is a great term… thanks! We do believe your topic is more conducive to principal-centered content… or as you say… “a long shelf-life”.

      Thanks,
      ~ Pat and Lorna

  22. Carolyn Elizabeth Blake
    2010-08-18 @ 4:09 am

    Hi Pat and Lorna,
    This was good to think about. I had sort of been doing this automatically, but now that you have brought it to my attention, I can see how it is valuable to focus on this for each post and article. Come to think of it, my stats on the number of reads on my articles reflects this. I can see which ones continue to be read are indeed principle centered. Thank you for pointing this out.

    • Pat & Lorna
      2010-08-19 @ 6:41 pm

      Carolyn,

      And the great thing is that they will continue to be read again and again! It is good to notice what type of content works with your message.

      Thanks,
      ~ Pat and Lorna

  23. CNA Certification
    2010-08-20 @ 10:06 am

    I’ve recently started a blog, the information you provide on this site has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work.

    • Pat & Lorna
      2010-08-20 @ 5:59 pm

      You’re very welcome. Glad we could help.

      ~ Pat and Lorna