Okay, let’s get into how I actually put that “keep titles 15-30 characters (max 27)” thing into practice today. Honestly, it sounds simple, but man, it tripped me up more than I expected.
The Idea
Right, so I wanted my blog post titles to grab attention without being too long-winded. Heard that sweet spot was roughly 15-30 characters, with 27 being the absolute max you should aim for. Sounds manageable, yeah?
Starting Point Mess
I looked at my drafts. First title I wrote? Something like “A Deep Dive Analysis Into My Morning Coffee Routine and Its Impact on Daily Productivity Workflow”. Wayyyy over 27 characters. Like, maybe 70+? Felt ridiculous once I saw the count. Classic case of trying too hard.
Started just chopping words randomly. Got “Coffee Routine & Productivity”. Better! Counted: 28 characters. Still over my max goal? Annoying. Kept staring at it.
The Grind
Time to get brutal. What words were absolutely essential?
- “Coffee” had to stay, it’s the core.
- “Routine” felt important.
- “Productivity” was the point… but it’s a long word.
- “&” saved a character over “and”.
Tried “My Coffee: Boost Focus”. Count: 20 characters. Okay! Felt punchier immediately.
Wrote a few more variations:
- “Caffeine Ritual = Better Work” (25 characters)
- “Morning Brew, Sharp Mind” (23 characters)
Pushed myself to try a super short one: “Better Brews, Better Days”. Bang on 23 characters. Liked the rhythm.
Locking It In & The Sticking Point
Settled on “Morning Coffee, Better Focus”. Counted it: 25 characters. Right in that target zone, under the 27 max. It felt clear, direct, and hinted at the benefit.
But here’s the thing – making it fit smoothly without sounding weird or losing meaning? That was the hardest part. It wasn’t just about cutting words; it was about finding the right short words that clicked together naturally. Took way more tries than I anticipated.
Used a simple tool to check the count after every tweak. Saved my bacon.
The Result
Final title felt way stronger. Shorter? Definitely. Snappier? For sure. Actually conveying the essence quickly? Mission accomplished. This small constraint really forced me to get creative and cut the fluff. Painful at times, but worth it for that clearer, more impactful headline.
