American Marketing Association Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) Content Marketing Practice Exam

What's one way to make headlines shorter?

1. Eliminate verbs.

2. Reduce the font size.

3. Replace long words with short ones.

4. Be playful.

The correct answer is: Replace long words with short ones.

To make headlines shorter, replacing long words with short ones is an effective approach. This technique focuses on ensuring that the headline communicates its message concisely while maintaining clarity and impact. By choosing simpler, more straightforward vocabulary, you can significantly decrease the length of a headline without losing the essence of its meaning. Shorter words are not only easier to read but also help engage the audience quickly, which is crucial in content marketing. In an environment where attention spans are short, using concise language increases the likelihood that a headline will capture interest and prompt further exploration of the content. This method directly addresses the goal of brevity, making it a practical solution for creating compelling headlines that remain within character or word limits while attracting the target audience’s attention.