The first few sentences can make or break your blog post. All the best research, all the hours of crafting the rest of your post, all the monetization opportunities could be for nothing if that introduction doesn’t grab the reader’s attention and draw them in.
There’s a reason so many bloggers believe the introduction is the single most important part of any blog post.
Fortunately, crafting an outstanding introduction is something that 100% can be learned. I’m going to show you how. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Why Does a Blog Intro Matter So Much?
The introduction to a blog is the all-important first impression. Does the reader like your writing style? Are they engaged immediately, or getting bored and distracted?
The introduction sets the tone for the rest of the article. If the reader is pulled in right away they will stay around longer, are more likely to engage, and are more likely to take action. This is your main priority while blogging.
The secondary benefits to this are SEO-related because average time on page is something Google definitely pays attention to, and if everyone is bouncing after the introduction that’s not going to look good.
Example 1: The introduction to this blog post
Take a look at the introduction to this blog post as an example of how a good introduction is often structured.
Does the first line get your attention? If you’re a blogger, it absolutely does! No one wants to pour in a ton of work only to blow it because of a weak few sentences. It’s a strong statement and “make or break” provides tension.
The second line reinforces that fear the audience is going to have: that the hard work of blogging and all the benefits it brings could be denied if you mess up the introduction. That keeps bloggers gripped and wanting to read on.
The third line is set apart, breaking up the wall of text so it’s easy on the eye. This also brings home just how important the topic of the article is for the intended audience.
The final paragraph assures the reader that the solution to their problem can be learned by anyone, and then promises to deliver, followed by a short call to action.
What is the Ideal Length of a Blog Introduction?
The ideal length of a blog intro can vary a bit depending on the niche and audience. Generally shorter is better than longer. A good introduction is concise, tells a story, and pulls in a reader’s attention and interest.
A good introduction tends to be only a few sentences. Five to six sentences are often more than enough, and that might include a couple of sentences with only 4-5 words.
Shorter blog introductions tend to “flow” and that flow is what you want. It’s what pulls a reader in and keeps them going into the main body of the article.
How To Write a Blog Introduction? (Concept To Follow)
Follow these steps to write a great blog introduction. As these seven concepts become second nature to think about, your blog introductions will become stronger and more effective.
Add these to the actionable ideas further down and you will be writing incredible blog introductions in no time.
Make Your Opening Sentence Matter
Your opening sentence is your first chance to make a first impression. This should never be wasted.
If the introduction is the most important part of any blog post, you can argue that the opening sentence is the most important part of the introduction. Don’t waste it.
An opening sentence needs to stick out, get attention, and set the tone for the next few lines to follow.
Identify Your Readers’ Problem & Psychology
We all understand that different people think differently and view the world differently. Then many bloggers try to write the same way for every audience.
Consider the following four potential readers:
- 16 year old high school student
- 25 year old young professional
- 45 year old male businessman in sales in an urban area
- 70 year old grandmother from a rural area
You wouldn’t talk to these four readers the same way. That’s even before looking at regional, political, or lifestyle differences. Some niches cater to a certain demographic.
When you understand the problems of your likely readers, the way they think, the way they view the world, you can craft an introduction (and a blog post) that really speaks their language and is going to engage them on a level they like and understand.
Underline a Common Issue
Highlight an issue or problem that many people experience. When you do this they are going to be able to quickly and easily relate to that topic. This is a great way to draw attention to at least the first few sentences.
If the rest of the intro can reinforce understanding of that issue and offer hope for a solution, or even just a better way to manage, that can make for a very strong and effective introduction.
Tell Readers What To Expect
Don’t dilly-dally. There is plenty of time in a blog post to bring your voice, your personality, or your expertise to the forefront. The job of the introduction is to tell the readers what the post is about in a clear concise manner.
If the introduction can’t be summarized as “Here’s the problem, and this article solves it,” then you need to revisit your intros.
Play Off Their Hopes and Dreams
If you understand your target demographic or the types of people who look for your topic, then play off of that! What are their hopes? What do they want? What do they dream of?
If the introduction can touch on those things and offer any solution towards getting a step closer to achieving those dreams then that can be a very powerful introduction that pulls the readers in.
Give a Guarantee of a Solution
When I have a problem and someone can guarantee me a solution to that problem, they have my undivided attention.
An introduction that highlights a problem, is relatable, and can guarantee a solution is going to be a winning combination when it comes to higher read times and reader interaction.
Start Transitioning Towards The Solution
State the problem, promise a solution, then call them to keep reading to dive in and find that solution. It’s like a mini-sales funnel, but it’s a great way to provide value to the reader and pull them into reading the rest of the blog.
Actionable Ideas To Help You Write a Blog Introduction
Even the most experienced bloggers occasionally struggle with how to open up a blog post. Here are six actionable ideas to fall back on when you are struggling to craft that perfect attention-grabbing introduction.
Ask a Riveting Question
A good question not only gets a reader thinking, but it directly pulls the reader into a conversation with that blog post.
Think about how your brain starts running with questions like:
- “What would you do if you had a million dollars?”
- “What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?”
- “What’s your biggest fear?”
A riveting question can come from very different emotional places, and a good question creates that instant engagement and will get a reader’s mind actively racing.
It’s very, very hard to walk away from a blog post after it’s evoked that type of a response.
Use Engaging Quotes
Some orators just had a way of words. Why reinvent the wheel when attributing a powerful quote to a famous person can draw in the reader’s attention.
Especially if the person the quote is attributed to is someone respected.
The quote needs to inspire, spark curiosity, and be one that can naturally pull into the rest of your introduction and the blog post to follow.
Consider the following three examples and how they grab instant intention – and realize just how many options for engaging quotes are out there.
- “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” Walt Disney
- “With self-discipline most anything is possible.” Teddy Roosevelt
- “Your legacy is being written by yourself, make the right decisions.” Gary Vaynerchuk
Be Bold & Take a Stand
Being wishy-washy or neutral is an easy way to get ignored. Make a statement and then defend it.
If people disagree with you, great! Oftentimes, passionate disagreement or argument gets more attention than agreement.
Important Note: You need to be able to back up your bold claims. A great example is Income School. “Building backlinks for SEO is overrated and a waste of time.” Bold, controversial, but their content fleshes out that belief and they have a large track record of people successfully using their methods so whether you agree or disagree, they can at least argue that point.
Be Controversial
Many times this is taking the “Be bold and take a stand” position and taking it a step further. Invoking controversy can be a powerful way to pull readers in, especially if the statement causing the controversy goes against common or standard practices/beliefs.
Now be careful with this. Being controversial for no reason or for the sake of controversy can backfire badly. But when done well this is an incredibly powerful way to grab attention and to pull people in.
At that point it’s up to the rest of your blog post to deliver.
Use Storytelling Techniques
Everyone loves a good story. This has been true since the beginning of mankind. Storytelling is a skill that can be learned, and learning to tell good stories teaches you to create an amazing hook, how to lead the audience along, and then deliver a satisfying pay-off.
These same techniques are a great way to design an introduction that gets attention and pulls readers further in.
Try Some Anecdotes
A good anecdote is a prime method of storytelling that can work very well for an introduction. The story starts, grabs attention, and can prevent a moral lesson without being preachy or hitting too close to home on readers who need your information…but maybe don’t do as well with direct confrontation.
Using short stories to highlight these lessons, and even combining them with a “But what if you were guilty of the same thing?” plot twist can be a great way to pull readers into the rest of the blog post.
Takeaway – Which Blog Post Introduction You Are Eager To Try?
Which of these techniques speak to you? Which techniques or strategies for a great blog introduction could mesh well with your writing style?
- The introduction is arguably the most important part of any blog post
- The first line of the intro is the most important part of the introduction
- You want to get attention, relate to the audience, then draw them into the body of the post
- Take a stand
- Don’t underestimate the power of controversy or story-telling
Take the time to practice writing great introductions and you will likely be amazed by what a difference that will make.
