You know what’s consistently a challenge for me as an online writer? Headlines. Here’s an example: I once wrote a banner ad promoting a basketball package that started with “Hoop! There it is …” I’m serious. I wrote this. And it got used. And now you might have just realized that you are/were at one time a fan of Tag Team.

So over lunch, I decided to play the game of “What happens when you Google ‘headlines for the web’?” to see what information is out there for the headline-challenged.

Here are the top-four results:

Newspaper headlines lost in web translation
Summary: Newspapers have to write headlines for search engines AND readers.
Headline help: This is an important thing to mention — you’ve got to write for the engines as much as you write for humans — and it applies to everything on the Internet, not just newspapers.
Julie recommends: Excess Voice Here you can find REAL tips for online copywriting (beyond just headlines) and even sign up for a newsletter on the topic.

Tips for writing web headlines
Summary: People tend to skim when they’re reading online, right? So your headline needs to be something that can reach out and grab eyeballs.
Headline help: Web headlines should be short, search-friendly and tested.
Julie recommends: The Online Copywriter’s Handbook Learn the basics with this book from Bob Bly.

Headline Depot
Summary: There is place called the Headline Depot and I didn’t know this until NOW? Here you can browse categories to “add highly targeted real-time headlines and news to your web site.”
Headline help: There is none here for copywriters. This is a place to learn more about getting a headline feed on your website.
Julie recommends: The Onion Headline Generator If you’re looking for a hilarious headline that has nothing to do with work, go here.

Star Wars – The Official Site
Summary: Includes official news, information on episodes, and images.
Headline help: I kid you not. This is the #8 result on Google for the search “headlines for the web.” So … no help here, either.
Julie recommends: Uh, this Star Wars site, of course.

Although this exercise was fun for me … I feel like I’m right back where I started. Do you have any good resources to share? Start sending ‘em in.

Last week I was writing an article on top family vacation spots in the upper Midwest. As I Googled Wisconsin Dells and the other destinations on my list, I thought to myself, “Wow, I’m glad I don’t have to go to the library, visit a travel agent or call an endless string of people for this information.” Do you know how much time that takes?

Yes, I’m totally spoiled. Aren’t we all?

My husband and I recently threw away every phone book in the house. Why not? They were just collecting dust on top of the refrigerator while we looked up phone numbers on DexOnline and used Google Maps for directions.

While we were at it, we stashed our big health reference guide. Who needs it when you have WebMd?

As a writer, I’m addicted to checking off my handwritten to-do lists(oh, the rush!), so it’s hard for me to give up my daily planner. But that doesn’t stop me from using Google Calendar.

I know there is a lot more out there that I don’t take advantage of yet. Check out these Top 10 Research Tools rated by CNET.

I also just found Noodle Tools. It helps you choose your search tool based on what you need to do (define your topic, do research in a specific discipline, get opinions, get different types of media, etc.)

Do you know of some hidden online treasures that make research easier? The faster I get what I want from the Web, the happier I’ll be.

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