How to Write Better Opening Paragraphs in Your Blog Posts
A killer headline is bound to hook your readers; however, if your opening paragraph doesn’t have substantial pulling power, readers won’t read on. You could have a great blog post, but if the intro doesn’t cut it, the rest of your blog won’t either. When properly executed, it’s the bridge that carries your reader from an attention-grabbing headline to the body of your blog post.
Our content writing team at Blue Whale Media has put their heads together to come up with some ways of how you can write better opening paragraphs for blog posts.
What makes an opening paragraph irresistible?
Everyone is flitting around the web, skimming a few headlines here and there. Your task as a blogger is to capture readers’ attention so they stop scanning and start reading your content. The online world is all about entertainment and information; readers are looking for connections; they want to feel like you understand them. With your opening paragraph, you need to empathise with the reader and make them feel less alone.
Address your readers from sentence one
You want people to connect with your content; you can accomplish this by talking directly to them. Use the word ‘you’ or directly ask your readers a question. With this technique, you can create an emotional bond with your audience that they can’t ignore. By addressing the reader, it’s as if you’ve crawled right into their brain and know the problems or concerns they’re following.
Identify your reader’s problems
Every blog post you write should aim to solve a problem by educating, informing, or entertaining someone. Who’s going to read your content if it doesn’t provide something helpful? Explicitly identifying your reader’s problem, they already know that you’re going to help solve it – that is what will keep them engaged. Better yet, you’ll captivate the people who didn’t even realise that they had a problem worth solving in the first place.
Promise something the reader wants
Once you’ve identified what your reader wants, it’s time to promise that they’ll get it. This is typically a short phrase such as:
- It’s possible
- We can show you how
- It’s easier than you think.
- It can be easily achieved.
Feel free to word it however you want, but nonetheless, readers should know that you’re trying to make their dreams come true.
Don’t repeat yourself.
At this point in your content, you’re still close to the title and one of the worst things you can do is repeat the wording already in the title. It is not only repetitive, but it’s also insulting to the reader’s intelligence. It’s much wiser to assume that the ready has already read the title and moves on with a statement that reinforces it.
By taking the time to create an introduction that will knock your socks off, you can improve your content, boost your engagement rates and earn yourself more readers both now and in the future.
If you would like more information or need assistance with blog posts, please contact Blue Whale Media today.
