Playbook · 2026

How to write blog headlines with Claude: step-by-step.

The headline decides whether the rest of the post gets read. This playbook gives you a prompt template that generates a range of angles and ranks them.

Short version

Give Claude the article's core idea, the reader, and the search intent, then ask for 10 headlines across distinct angles plus a ranking. You get a strong shortlist in seconds instead of staring at a blank title field.

The prompt template

This template generates variety on purpose (clarity, curiosity, how-to, contrarian, number-led) so you can pick the angle that fits, then refine.

Copy, paste, and fill in the brackets

You are my headline strategist. Generate blog headlines. Context: - Article core idea: [one sentence] - Reader: [who they are and what they want] - Target keyword / search intent: [keyword] - Tone: [practical / bold / authoritative] Rules: - Give 10 headlines across DIFFERENT angles: clear, curiosity, how-to, contrarian, number-led, outcome-led. - Each under 65 characters, no clickbait you cannot back up. - Then rank your top 3 and say why. Do not use em dashes. Generate the headlines.

Asking for distinct angles plus a ranking beats asking for 'good headlines.' For the rest of the writing process, see how to use Claude for marketing.

The step-by-step workflow

Set up a Claude Project. Add your brand voice, target keywords, and high-performing past headlines as project knowledge so you never re-paste context. Claude Projects keep brand voice, examples, and rules in one place.
Paste the prompt template. Fill in the bracketed fields with your specifics. The more precise the inputs, the less editing the output needs.
Generate two or three variations. Ask for 10 options across angles, then a ranked top 3. Pick the strongest and tell Claude what you liked so the next pass sharpens it.
Iterate, do not accept the first draft. One follow-up instruction (tighter, warmer, shorter, more specific) usually does more than re-prompting from scratch.
Edit for voice and accuracy, then save the prompt. Claude gets you most of the way; you own the final 20 percent. Save the working prompt so next time is a two-minute job.

A worked example

For a post on cutting CAC, Claude returns a clear version, a curiosity version, a number-led version ('7 ways...'), and a contrarian one ('Stop optimizing CAC'), then ranks the top three for your reader and intent, so you choose from strong options rather than inventing one cold.

What to avoid

Vague prompts. 'Write a follow-up email' produces generic output. Specifics in, specifics out.
Publishing without editing. Always do the final human pass for voice, facts, and judgment.
Skipping the Project setup, which forces you to re-paste context every single time.
Treating Claude as a vending machine instead of a thinking partner you iterate with.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best prompt for blog headlines?

One that gives Claude the core idea, the reader, and the search intent, then asks for 10 headlines across distinct angles plus a ranked top three. Use the template here.

How many headline options should I generate?

Ask for 10 across different angles, then have Claude rank the top three. Variety is the point; a single 'best' headline misses better angles.

Can Claude optimize headlines for SEO?

It can work your target keyword in naturally and keep length in range. Give it the keyword and intent, and verify search volume separately.

Should I A/B test the headlines?

When you can, yes. Take Claude's top two and test them. Even without testing, the ranked shortlist beats a first-instinct title.