Your class title should help both students and search engines understand exactly what your class is about. It should go beyond just the general class topic, to include details like the class’ level, the tools you will use, the project students will create, or the skills students will learn. For example, instead of “Hand Lettering,” a general and vague title that doesn’t get into specifics, try “Hand-Lettering Basics with a Brush Pen.” This title explains what the class is about, the class’ level, and the tool the class is focused on, in just a few words.
Some other examples of descriptive, catchy, and clear titles:
- Draw Your Life: Intro to Illustrated Journaling
- Compressing .GIFS Like a Boss
- Cinema 4D Basics: Model & Animate a 3D Robot
Class Title Best Practices
- Review the SEO for Traffic article and be sure you're following best practices and including the appropriate keywords.
- Get specific
A title like “Typography: Communicate Effectively with the Power of Type” is more informative and provocative than “Typography” or “How to Choose Fonts.” Specificity is key for making sure your class appears in student searches. - Avoid wordiness
To maximize readability, keep your title around 30 to 70 characters. - Use proper capitalization
Capitalize the first and last words, as well as nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. Avoid all-uppercase or all-lowercase titles. - Brainstorm a list of keywords
Consider topic (e.g. hand lettering), skills or techniques (e.g. digitizing, blending, animating), tools (e.g. Photoshop, Excel, DSLR camera), project (e.g. watercolor florals, HTML website), or takeaways (e.g. build your brand, improve productivity, develop your style). - Read it aloud
Make sure your title rolls easily off the tongue.
If you’re still feeling unsure about how to apply these best practices to your class titles, try these strategies and workshop some options…
Title Strategy 1: Broad-to-Focused
Broadly state the general topic, then zero in on specific skills, tools, and takeaways.
- Learn Code by Creating Art: Developing CSS Skills in CodePen
- Mastering Microcopy: Writing Tiny Words for Huge UX Impact
- Watercolor Magic: The Basics of Color Mixing and Color Harmony
Title Strategy 2: Project-Based
Focus on your project or the learnings.
- How to Design Sports Logos: Create Your Own Team Mascot
- Animated Self-Portrait: Bring Your Evil Twin to Life
- Learn to Paint Watercolor Leaves
Title Strategy 3: Skill Level
Highlight the difficulty level or scope of your class.
- Hand Lettering Essentials for Beginners
- Advanced Techniques in Surface Pattern Design
- Introduction to Data Visualization: From Data to Design
Title Strategy 4: Your Audience
Directly address your target audience
- The Designer’s Guide to Writing and Research
- Pinterest Marketing 101 for Creative Entrepreneurs
- Raise Your Prices: A Class for Creative Freelancers