So, you’ve started creating and publishing posts on your blog for a while but haven’t got any results.
You’ve always tried to put the best forward in every piece you write, but the response you get is often disappointing.
Is it possible you’re not good enough?
Is it possible that Henneke, Jon Morrow, and Ana Hoffman are wielding a magic wand that brings them hundreds of new visitors and engagement every time they publish a new post?
So, tell me…
If you were given the chance to produce articles that would ultimately enhance your blog’s popularity and convert it into an authoritative site like The Huffington Post, Mashable, Cracked, Lifehacker, or Techcrunch, wouldn’t you jump at the chance?
Here’s How to Write A Great Introduction
In case you didn’t know, the beginning of your article is crucial in determining whether or not readers will read the body of the blog post. If your beginning is strong enough, the reader is likely to continue reading to see what more you have written.
However, if your beginning is bad, the reader will swiftly dismiss your content and go on with their lives. That is why you must pay close attention to what you say in your first remarks.
So, how do you go about doing that? Here are a few options for you to consider.
1. Make Your First Sentence Stick
The opening sentence of your blog article should be able to generate a favorable impression on your reader. It should be able to lodge itself in the reader’s mind and help them comprehend what the content is about.
How do you make such an impression?
- Make Use Of A Quote:
“It doesn’t matter a damn how you write if you can tell tales, develop characters, design situations, and have sincerity and emotion,” Somerset Maugham once said.
- Make Up A Story:
My blog was going to be shut down due to its failure to produce revenue. Then, on my way to the café, I got a notification that I had made my first transaction.
- Pose a Thought-Provoking Question to Your Audience:
Do you want to discover the most common reason why bloggers don’t treat their blogs like a business?
- Quote Statistics:
According to Fevered Mutterings, 95% of bloggers abandon their blogs and seek employment elsewhere.
Make the opening sentence so intriguing that the reader will be compelled to read the rest of the piece.
2. Give Reasons
Always keep in mind that your words matter when you’re writing. If you want someone to stop what they’re doing and pay attention to you, you need to provide them with a compelling reason to do so. And there’s no better place to accomplish it than in your opening paragraph.
Consider the following questions:
What would pique my interest and keep me reading to the conclusion of the piece if I were the one reading it?
Why should I put everything else aside and read this blog post?
Believe me, if you do this right, you’ll have no trouble grabbing your reader’s attention.
Let me tell you something: when people are given a good reason to do the desired activity, their reaction to the request is typically greater.
Humans have inquisitive brains, and as a result, they seek explanations for every action or move they are going to take. Giving them a cause to read your whole post is an excellent approach to convince them to do so.
This rationale must be presented in the introduction to keep people interested.
— My time is finite, according to Jon Westenberg in an Inc. article. I operate a thriving coaching and publishing business, but I don’t have an endless supply of hours, minutes, or seconds on this planet.
So, when people generate material for me or connect with me, they must explain why I should give them part of my time instead of my fiancé, my business, my family, my cat, or my freaking Xbox.”
You have a tiny chance of persuading people to give you their time; it’s all about first impressions, and you only have one chance to create a good one.
You’ll lose the opportunity if it’s not a good one.
3. Make Use Of Comparisons
Every reader already knows what “truth” means to them. If you can relate to it in your introduction, you’ll win them over.
Make an analogy that connects what they know and what you want them to know.
Comparing the cost of your blog coaching package to the income of an online magazine writer, for example, may have a big impact. The reader will be able to evaluate their investment in terms of possible returns.
You may also contrast your services with those of your rival. Describe how you’re unique (and better).
Always keep in mind that as a writer, similes, metaphors, and analogies are some of the most effective tools at your disposal.
4. Make Your Opening Controversial
Nature has programmed the human mind not to take every piece of information whole, hook, and sinker. We like debating difficult topics from time to time. This is especially true when the source of the issue is someone we like and see as an authoritative figure.
Persuading people to read your blog articles isn’t simply a matter of having a few on your site; it’s also a matter of the value your visitors place on those pieces. There’s nothing wrong with disagreeing with authority, especially if you have opposing viewpoints that you can back up with statistics or evidence.
Must Read: Tips & Tricks to Write Successful SMS Marketing Messages
Opening your introduction with controversial comments or writing about contentious issues may be an easy method to instantly catch the reader’s attention. They pay greater attention when there are such opportunities. They’re more concerned with getting to the bottom of the article to see if they’ve been persuaded.
However, as a professional blogger, you should avoid being always contentious, since this may cause some of your readers to lose faith in you and quit your blog permanently.
So, be cautious while discussing a contentious issue.
5. Tell An Interesting Story
Who doesn’t enjoy hearing stories?
No one, actually.
The majority of people appreciate tales, especially when they are engaging, educational, and entertaining. Mastering the art of storytelling is one of the attributes of a successful copywriter. You can see the impact of this now if you look around the internet.
When writing your introduction, utilize narrative to help your reader connect with you and pique their interest. However, don’t get carried away and write long, dull stories that will only serve to alienate your reader.
If you can master this, you’ll be able to keep your readers interested.
6. Keep The Introduction Short
People like to read shorter, easier-to-understand phrases.
When writing, try to avoid using long, convoluted phrases as much as possible because many readers find them difficult to understand. Reduce the number of superfluous adverbs, adjectives, and words that don’t contribute to the clarity of your message.
7. Use Simple, Exact Words
This is not the time to flaunt your linguistic prowess; in fact, using too much syntax or jargon might turn off a lot of your readers. Make an effort to use terms that can be understood without the assistance of a dictionary.
Your readers aren’t linguistics students, and trying to communicate with them in complicated English may make them uncomfortable.
You may always use simpler synonyms, such as:
“Take advantage of” -> “exercise leverage”
“Read the book completely” -> “Peruse the book with accuracy”
Versions of basic words that are even easier to understand:
“Buy” -> “Purchase”
Make reading simple for your readers, and they will.
8. Make Your Topic Unique
It’s nearly difficult to find a topic on the internet that hasn’t been discussed by someone.
The majority of content is just rehashed from one blogger to the next. Making your post distinctive, even if the concept isn’t, can help you avoid falling into the trap of doing what everyone else is doing.
Change the way a topic is presented by adding your own voice or personal touch to it.
But here’s the key: make it stand out right from the start.
For example, many people have written on “ways to earn money from home,” but you may stand out by writing about “15 Super Simple Ways To Make Money From Home And Retire Early.”
Then, when you’re writing the introduction, talk about that one-of-a-kind angle: what it is, why it matters, and how to master it.
9. Agitate And Offer
It’s difficult to discover someone who isn’t troubled.
People are looking for solutions to their issues, and they are willing to listen to anyone who understands their predicament and may have a solution. You must first identify the problem, then concentrate and place greater emphasis on the problem before offering a remedy.
It’s not because you’re harsh that you emphasize the problem; it’s because you truly want to demonstrate compassion. You just inform the reader that you are aware of their situation and that, as a result of your previous experience with comparable instances, you are capable of resolving their issue.
They then put their faith in your knowledge and read your post in order to find the answer that the introduction offers.
You must seem empathic, as though you understand what your reader (singular) is experiencing. Write in a style that makes them feel as though you’re speaking directly to them.
10. Make Predictions
Imagine telling your readers 10 years ago that players will be earning up to $600,000 per week in the following decade. Because your forecast came true, you’d be one of the most respected voices in the football world today.
In your introduction, make mind-boggling forecasts. Your readers will stay around to the end of the piece only to avoid missing out on any information concerning the business you know so much about.
However, before making any forecasts, be sure you have a full understanding of the issue; otherwise, you’ll appear foolish if you say something completely incorrect.
Predictions are based on your ability to assess events and think critically about the future.
Learning To Write A Great Introduction
Put yourself in your reader’s shoes the next time you write an introduction and see if you would stay around to read the rest of the piece. If you believe it’s excellent enough to catch your own interest, I’m sure it’ll work for your audience as well.
This isn’t a difficult task; anyone can do it.
All you have to do now is see things from the perspective of your readers and keep practicing.
Do you still believe you might be creating more effective and persuasive introductions? Please let me know in the comments section below, and I’ll be delighted to assist!
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