My wife’s first words to me were…
“Hello Michael, nice to meet you”
…which has been both fun and memorable ever since My name is DARREN, not Michael!
Have you ever wondered how some posts captivate you while others fail to catch your attention?
It’s all in the opener. The first words you utter or write can set the tone for any relationship or conversation…
Just like in real life, the first few lines of your blog post can make or break your reader’s engagement.
In my last post in this series “How to Create a Blog Post” I identified the title/heading of your blog as the most important words you will write in a blog post and I said that the purpose of the Title is to get people to read your opening line.
The second most important words in your blog post are the ones that follow the title – your opening line. Its purpose is to get people to read the next line – to draw people deep into your post. Here’s how to write compelling opening lines to hook your readers right from the start.
11 Effective Strategies for Opening Blog Posts
So how do you create a post introduction that effectively engages readers and piques enough interest to get them to read your blog post? Here are a few tips that I have found helpful.
1. Identify a need
Begin your post by addressing a reader’s problem or need.
Does this sound familiar? It should – I talked about readers’ needs and problems when choosing a topic and crafting your post title in my post.
If you don’t have it yet, you should start to realize that identifying and solving a reader’s needs is very important to me as it is the key to writing successful blog posts. You don’t have to solve the need or problem in the first line, but an effective way to get readers to read deep into your post where you solve it is to tell them you do it in the first line become.
2. Ask a question with an answer
Engage readers right away by asking a question that gets them to say “yes.” This is a technique that copywriters have been using for a long time and it works. I did it in the first line of this post: “Have you ever wondered how some posts captivate you while others fail to capture your attention?”
Asking this type of question does several things. First of all, communicate what the article is about and what needs it will fulfill for the reader. But second (and more importantly), you trigger a reaction from your readers that clearly shows them that your post will solve them. Anyone who reads my question above and answers “yes” is joining this post having just said they want to figure out how to write engaging opening lines – this “shopping” helps in the communication process that follows.
Asking “yes” questions can actually be something you use more than once in a post. Ask a series of questions scattered throughout your post and you can actually take your reader on a journey that leads them to your call to action.
3. Ask an interesting question
Stimulate curiosity with a question that promises an interesting revelation and leaves the reader eager to hear the answer.
Questions like:
- “What do Bill Gates and Martha Stewart have in common?”
- “How did I increase my subscribers from 0 to 51,346?”
- “Is the Nikon D700 the best digital SLR camera ever invented?”
All of these questions will have different appeal to different audiences – but all will leave readers wondering what the answer will be and give them a reason to continue reading the post.
4. Offer a surprise
Use an unexpected fact or personal anecdote to grab attention. Sharing something unusual or personal, like I did when greeting my wife, can make your post more relatable and engaging.
The opening story I include in this post attempts to do something “different” or “surprising” to grab readers’ attention by telling something personal that at first glance is “off topic.” I don’t talk about my family often on ProBlogger – so this opening line is intended to break the pattern and encourage readers to take a second look. When I do this, it seems to readers that it takes them out of the way they normally approach your blog and grabs a little more attention for a moment or two (which may be enough to get them to read your post).
Of course – the unexpected opening line should be somehow related to the topic of your post.
5. Tell a story or share an analogy
Stories or analogies can transform an everyday topic into a fascinating narrative. Whether it’s a short anecdote or a detailed account, stories often make your content more relatable and engaging.
I find that telling “stories” to open posts can be a way to get people out of the “he-boom” and “glassy stare” that many of us have while surfing the internet. This is especially true for blogs that are more serious or formal in nature – sharing a story means switching genres for a moment or two, which can be enough to capture your readers’ attention for at least a moment or two. Stories can be short (a one-liner like I did above) or longer (although you probably don’t want to go too long). These can be your own personal stories or stories from someone else. They can be true or even fictional.
I’ve often opened posts here on ProBlogger with “tangents” – analogies or stories from my life that are a little off topic – but still help illustrate a principle. I find that these types of openings often attract a new type of reader and lead to more reader interaction with others. Maybe it’s just a refreshing change from the normal style of posts or maybe it shows a more personal side that will appeal to some.
For example (title and opening lines):
6. Make a bold claim
Start with a strong claim or promise to solve an important problem. This approach sets high expectations and entices readers to delve deeper into your post to learn more.
- “Today I will teach you how to quit smoking”
- “In this article you will discover the secrets of the perfect portrait.”
Such openings simply tell your reader what they will get if they continue reading. They are short, concise, concise and effective.
Alternatively, you can also complain about your own service. I still remember the impact this post had on establishing ProBlogger as an authority site. The opening line was:
“It came as a shock to me that I just became a six-figure blogger.”
The only thing I would say is that you better back up the claim or promise in the post itself, otherwise you might attract some angry readers.
7. Cause controversy
There’s nothing like the hint of a controversy to grab people’s attention and make them stop and take note of what’s going on.
Clearly express your opinion about a company, a product, or even another person, and you’ll find that people want to read further to learn why you expressed your opinion and to let you know if they agree with you are.
8. Paint a vivid picture
Encourage readers to imagine a scenario by engaging their senses. This method is particularly effective for making abstract concepts tangible.
I’ve used this technique a few times in public speaking and it can translate to writing effective blog posts. The basics are getting your reader to use their imagination to imagine a scenario.
This can be used both positively and negatively:
- Positive – Have them imagine a scenario in which they achieve success or solve a problem.
- Negative – Alternatively, you can get them to imagine the consequences of an unresolved problem or failure that they might be afraid of.
Stimulating your reader’s imagination is a powerful thing that can evoke emotions, help them get in touch with fears and feel needs, but also give them real motivation to create change.
9. Highlight startling statistics
With the help of meaningful statistics, a need can be effectively communicated and attention can be attracted.
Example – 10 Techniques to Get More Comments on Your Blog – Introduction – “Only 1 in 100 readers comment on your blog”
10. Start with a powerful quote
A well-chosen quote can add authority to your post, resonate with your readers, and set a thoughtful tone from the start.
Examples with opening lines:
11. Lead with an effective image
Sometimes an impressive picture can say more than words. Opening with a relevant and meaningful image can draw the reader into the text content, especially in visual media like blogs.
I have used images combined with words in almost every one of my posts Photo page for a while now and have long noticed that when I open with an image it tends to attract more readers to a post and can lead to more comments. I’ve even had readers tell me that they read a post just because they saw the image in their RSS reader.
The key is to find an image that fits the theme, that stands out, and that readers find captivating or intriguing.
Share with us your best opening lines?
The above 11 techniques for opening lines in blog posts are just a small fraction of the ways you can grab attention and attract readers to your blog posts. You’re unlikely to use more than two or three of them in a given post, and most likely you don’t want to use the same thing in every post you write (loyal readers will become callous to them if you do this).
What other techniques do you use to open blog posts?
Read the complete series
This post is part of a series on creating blog posts. It will be even more powerful when viewed in the context of the entire series, which addresses 10 points in the posting process to pause and make extra effort. Start reading this series here.