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What a 6-Legged Cow Taught Me About Blogging
By dana | September 17, 2007
Look closely, that cow really does have 6 legs!
A few years ago, some friends and I were through Western Kansas on the way to Colorado Springs for a summer vacation. Now let me tell you, driving on I-70 for 8 hours through the nothingness of the Kansas plains is not too exciting. Let me also say, I am not the type of person who stops at random touristy places on a regular basis.
All that being said as we drove along, we continued to see these huge billboards just saying “Come See The Six-Legged Steer.” There were no pictures, just sign after sign taunting and tantalizing us with the promise of being able to see and touch this oddity of nature.
Once we approached the exit for Prairie Dog Town in Oakley, KS, I veered off the highway. We went in and paid our $15 dollar per person and went to pet the six-legged cow. I don’t know what I expected, but it was not the most exciting afternoon of my life. However, with the stories and pictures I have enjoyed sharing for the last few years, overall it was definitely well worth the cash!
So what is the lesson in this strange story? Headlines are the most important part of writing blog posts, articles, ads or billboards! You must catch people’s attention and intrigue them enough to click through or stop and read your post or come in and pay money to see your freak of nature…whatever result you’re seeking!
Here’s a few great posts to check out on headline writing:
- How to Write Magnetic Headlines from Copyblogger
- Warning: Use These 5 Surefire Headlines At Your Own Risk from Copyblogger(again)
- If You’re Stuck for Blogging Ideas, Write the (Killer) Headline First from Performancing
- How 5 Simple Headline Improvements Increased My Traffic 1000% from AJAX Ninja
Other Stuff You Might Like:
September 17th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
I grew up 10 miles north of that oddity - in Mingo, KS. Did you see the GIANT prairie dog? It’s made of concrete…
Glad you thought that tourist trap was worth it
September 17th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
I recently moved here to Kansas. You’ve given me much to look forward to :\
September 17th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Hi Carole,
I did see the Prairie Dog, though I have to admit I felt a little cheated by that part of their advertising…”See the World’s Largest Prairie Dog.” I was hoping for some sort of mutant groundhog…instead just the giant concrete guy
September 17th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
Hi Alfred,
It’s a bit of a drive, but if you’re heading to Colorado, I would certainly recommend the stop
September 17th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
great article stumbled this one!!
September 17th, 2007 at 8:09 pm
Love the way you went into the subject of headlining through this story - great way to implement the concept, Dana!
Stumbled as well.
September 18th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
I stumbled your article as well! Congratulations Dana on your new “blogging” blog! Looking forward to more great articles from you.
September 21st, 2007 at 9:49 am
[…] Headlines are the most important part of writing blog posts, articles, ads or billboards! You must catch people’s attention and intrigue them enough to click through or stop and read your post or come in and pay money to see your freak of nature…whatever result you’re seeking! - Dana Wallert on What a 6-Legged Cow Taught Me About Blogging […]
October 16th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
I also stumbled upon this resesearching for an english project. HAHA its amazing!!!!!!
December 20th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
very interesting. i’m adding in RSS Reader
March 18th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
I love kansas!!!