Summarise Sub-Headings

Immediately after the sub-heading, reiterate the idea, explain further and add factual, relevant details or data.

Let’s use a few examples to get understand the general idea for this important part of writing blog articles.

Let’s pretend that you’re just written an article about swimsuits and you’re discussing how uncomfortable a tiny swimsuit can be. You have the following sub-heading and text.

Too Tight or Unbreathable

The ideal swimsuit fit enhances a woman’s figure while being breathable and encouraging freedom of movement. The arm straps fit well and comfortable over your shoulders, and the leg seam stays on your thigh. Quality swimwear is made using stretchable fabric that provides secure comfort, such that you don’t need to keep tugging or adjusting your swimsuit during your beach or poolside escapades.

However, the above example is incorrect. The writer has strayed from the topic/problem that has been stated in the sub-heading. Here is the corrected version.

A swimsuit is too tight if the arm straps dig into your shoulder more than 3mm and leave indentations in your skin. In addition, a swimsuit can cause shortness of breath if the chest seam digs into your skin under your armpits. A tight, uncomfortable swimsuit is never a pleasure and should be replaced.

Can you see how I’ve immediately responded to the sub-heading by reiterating the sub-heading statement, added more detail and data? I then stay on that topic and reiterate the sub-heading again in the third sentence.

Whereas the original example talked about the solution, rather than reiterating the problem. And, the original version had two ideas in the same paragraph: tightness of fit and fabric composition.

Here’s another before and after example. Let’s say the article is called 7 Ways To Keep Your Hound Happy. Here’s a sub-heading and text from the article:

Walking on a leash is most desirable, or you could take your dog to a local park with trees. Throwing the ball is also good exercise. Your dog will sleep better if he’s not kept inside the house and can only look outside. Otherwise he can end up fat, tired and moody.

And here’s what we are aiming for:

Taking your dog for a regular walk has a positive impact on his well-being and mood. Aim to take your dog for at least one walk per day, for 5 days a week, even if it’s raining. Your dog will become accustomed to a daily routine. Each walk should be longer than 15 minutes as this enables your dog to sniff the pavement, trees and learn about his environment. It activates his nasal glands and sends endorphins to his pituitary glands. Regular walking is good for your hound, and you.

Watch the screencast below to understand the nuances between the two examples.

How to Respond Directly to a Sub-Heading with User Intent Principles

User intent is SEO jargon for understanding what a person searching Google wants. What is their intention? They want to find an answer to their query. So, we call that intention … User Intent.

User Intent can be applied to your articles at both the article and section levels.

The overall article must respond to the reader’s desire for an answer or knowledge. And, within the article every section must relate directly to each sub-heading.

In the below example the writer has told the reader, immediately, which are not the best fish. Then proceeded to talk about a fish that could be good, then definitively listed the best fish. The writer has their response upside down and inside out.

In the following, I have simply re-shuffled the ideas. You can see now that the text under the sub-heading immediately and directly responds to the idea that has been posed in the sub-heading. What are the best tank mates? Well, they are X, Y and Z. Get to the point; answer the question. Now.

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