There is no such thing as a second impression when it comes to a blog article introduction. A writer has but one chance to reel in as many readers at first bite. Sure, it’s easier said than done.
Tempesta Media previously discussed that catching readers’ interest from the very start is the toughest part of a writer’s job. Nevertheless, this skill has to be mastered if you are to be a serious writer. Without an effective introduction, the rest of your content might as well be used to wrap fish.
So how does one go about writing a blog introduction that will get a reader hooked?
First off, a blog intro needs to be concise. Dedicate three to four sentences that are no longer than 35-40 words. Just think: Bloggers reached 30.6 million in 2018 alone. A writer gets only a few seconds to make a pitch before readers will want to give the next blog contender a chance.
Check if the following blog article introduction techniques have also enticed you to take a writer’s bait:
Give your readers a taste of what they want.
Sports fishers are modern-day athletes who depend on blogs to navigate the murky waters of this billion-dollar pursuit.
Different readers want different information. Identify your audience. This means understanding what they want to hear and what tone to use when writing for them.
Use an anecdote to draw the reader into your blog article
My niece Tammy had a bad experience with fish when she was four. So for a year or two, she was told that the salmon and mackerel dishes that she loved so much were chicken parts.
Blog writers often start with funny stories because they sell. However, a scary or dramatic anecdote can also pack a punch. It doesn’t have to be personal, but it must be written in a way that makes the characters and the situation familiar.
Find a popular and relatable topic.
Conclusive proof of high levels of mercury in tuna has put additional limitations for those who don’t eat meat.
Controversial subject matters may actually be a more effective way to start your blog article. But these posts may alienate half of your readers. It might be better to use more universal themes or those that have become part of popular culture.
Use a provocative question, a fresh or an astonishing piece of information, or a unique quote.
Has the scientific community finally found proof that fish can feel pain?
Unrelated studies from three Ivy league universities have now proven that fish can feel physical and emotional pain.
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All these intro techniques are effective hooks because they play on readers’ emotions. As such, these blog article introductions are sometimes abused by misguided bloggers who often have no content to match. A professional writer does not fall into this trap.
There are many more ways of writing a blog introduction. The long and short of it is that an effective intro should act as a net. This net will prove effective if readers will not want to escape until they reach the blog’s very last word.