Here we are again. We should stop meeting like this. Bloggers will talk. Yup, it’s doozy time! Below is number “you know what”:
FINALE STRATEGY
8. Use word play with a cultural link. Write a clever spin on a familiar hot book title, TV program, movie title, proverb, popular expression, etc. Newspaper headlines do this all of the time. They can give you loads of ideas. Those heads stop me in my sneakers.
For example, a recent headline for an Olympic ski event where one or more skiers crashed, but without injury, was “Skiing’s a Glitch!” (Note: It also could have been “Ditch.” However, I try intentionally to avoid any heads with an implication of profanity or vulgarity in the original. But that’s just me. I want my title to be clever AND squeaky clean.) There are word play and anagram generators listed on Google that can help.
My 1st humor book title was Professors Are from Mars, Students Are from Snickers; my 1st conference presentation on humor 15 years ago was “The 7 Humorous Habits of Highly Effective Professors.” I wish all my titles were as memorable as those. BTW, in keeping with my self-deprecating humor-style, my professional motto is “Go for the Bronze!”
Do any of your current titles need a throat-grabbing makeover? Draft some new titles based on any of the 8 strategies. Let your imagination fly. This isn’t about content. You already have that.
Bounce your draft titles off of your colleagues. Check out their first reactions. Do they take a big gulp or do their eyeballs roll back into their heads? Which ones strike them in the throat, spleen, or another anatomical part? Are they better than your original titles? Go with them. "May the gullet be with you!"
COPYRIGHT © 2010 Ronald A. Berk, LLC
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