Whether you’re starting a new blog or updating an old one, crafting a well-written introduction is key to getting readers engaged from the start. A good blog intro gives your readers a snapshot of what your blog is all about and why they should stick around. Not sure how to get started? Here are a few tips.
Table of Contents
- 1. Know Your Reader’s Search Intent and Tell Them What to Expect
- 2. Make your Introduction Catchy
- 3. Use Storytelling Techniques
- 4. Start with an Interesting Statistic
- 5. Ask the Reader a Direct Question About the Problem the Post is Addressing
- 6. Be Personal and Share Your Own Experiences
- 7. Explain the Benefits or Show the Value of Your Post of Reading Your Blog
- 8. Keep it Short and Sweet
- 9. Highlight a Common Problem
- 10. Take a Stand
- 11. Use a Quote
- Final Thought
1. Know Your Reader’s Search Intent and Tell Them What to Expect
One of the main purposes of your introduction is to let readers know what they can expect from your blog. They’ll keep reading if your article can solve the problem they have or answer the question they’re looking for.
That is the same meaning of search intent, the content of your article should be what the searcher wants to know. You need to frame your blog post in a way that answers that question and lets them know what you’ll be covering.
Start by telling readers the topic of your post, then give a brief overview of what they can expect to learn by reading it. This will help set their expectations and let them know whether your article is worth reading.
For example:
If you’re writing a post about tips for eating healthy on a budget, you might start with something like:
“Looking to save money and eat healthier? In this post, you’ll learn 10 easy tips for eating healthy on a budget.”
This lets the reader know that the article will be helpful, and it also teases what they can expect to learn by reading it.
2. Make your Introduction Catchy
In order to keep readers engaged, you’ll need to make your introduction catchy. This doesn’t mean you have to use flashy language or gimmicks, but you should find a way to hook your readers in and make them want to read on.
One way to do this is to start with a question or an interesting statistic.
For example:
“Do you ever feel like you don’t have enough time in the day? According to a recent study, the average person only has 24 hours in a day.”
This statistic is attention-grabbing and it also sets the stage for the rest of the article.
Another way to make your introduction catchy is to use a story or analogy. This can be a great way to introduce your topic in an engaging way.
For example:
“Have you ever been in a situation where you didn’t know what to do? It can be frustrating, overwhelming, and even scary. That’s how I felt when I started my first blog.”
Stories are a great way to connect with your readers and make them feel invested in what you’re saying.
3. Use Storytelling Techniques
Storytelling is a great way to engage your readers and make your blog introduction more interesting. Not sure how to start using storytelling techniques? Here are a few tips:
- Start by introducing your main character or characters.
- Set the scene and describe the problem or challenge your character is facing.
- Show how your character reacts to the problem and what they do to solve it.
- Explain the outcome of your character’s actions and how they’ve changed as a result.
For example:
“Amy is a busy working mom who is always on the go. She never has time to cook healthy meals for her family, so they often end up eating takeout or fast food. One day, Amy decides she’s had enough and she’s going to find a way to cook healthy meals despite her busy schedule.
After some trial and error, she finally comes up with a system that works for her and her family. In the end, they’re eating healthier and saving money on takeout.”
This story introduces the reader to the main character, sets up the problem, and shows how it’s resolved. It’s a great way to engage your readers and leave them wanting more.
4. Start with an Interesting Statistic
Using an interesting statistic is a great way to hook your readers in and make them want to read on. Not sure how to find good statistics? Here are a few tips:
- Look for statistics that are relevant to your topic.
- Find stats that are surprising or shocking.
- Choose stats that are easy to understand.
For example:
“Did you know that the average person spends over four hours a day watching TV? That’s more time than most people spend sleeping!”
This statistic is surprising and it’s also easy to understand. It’s a great way to grab your reader’s attention and make them want to read on.
5. Ask the Reader a Direct Question About the Problem the Post is Addressing
Asking your readers a direct question is a great way to get them engaged with your topic. The question can be that your readers are likely facing, or it can be a question that you’re going to address in your post.
For example:
“Have you ever been in a situation where you didn’t know what to do? It can be frustrating, overwhelming, and even scary. That’s how I felt when I started my first blog.”
This question addresses the problem that the post is addressing and it also encourages the reader to keep reading in order to find out the answer.
Your readers want to connect with you, so it’s important to be personal in your blog introduction. Sharing your own experiences is a great way to do this. For example,
“I never thought I’d be able to stick to a workout routine. I’ve always been the type of person who starts out with big plans but quickly falls off track. So when I decided to start working out, I was really skeptical.
But I was determined to find a way to make it work for me. And guess what? I did! In the end, I not only lost weight but I also gained a lot of confidence.”
This introduction shares the author’s own experience and it also encourages the reader to keep reading in order to find out more. It’s a great way to connect with your readers on a personal level.
7. Explain the Benefits or Show the Value of Your Post of Reading Your Blog
In addition to telling readers what to expect, you should also explain the benefits of reading your blog. Why should they bother spending their time on your blog? What can they gain from reading it?
If you can answer these questions, you’ll be more likely to keep readers engaged. For example,
“If you’re looking for tips on how to save money, this post is for you. In it, you’ll learn 10 easy tips for eating healthy on a budget.”
This tells the reader that they will benefit from reading the article because they will learn something new. It also sets the stage for the rest of the post.
8. Keep it Short and Sweet
Your introduction doesn’t have to be long or complicated. In fact, it’s better if it’s not. Keep your introduction short and to the point. This will help keep readers engaged and help you get your point across more effectively.
A good rule of thumb is to keep your introduction under 100 words. This will help you stay on track and make sure you cover the most important points.
9. Highlight a Common Problem
Another tip for writing a great blog introduction is to highlight a common problem. This can be a problem that your readers are likely facing, or it can be a problem that you’re going to address in your post.
Either way, by highlighting a problem, you’ll be able to show your readers that you understand their needs and that you’re there to help. For example:
“Do you feel like you don’t have enough time in the day? You’re not alone. According to a recent study, the average person only has 24 hours in a day.”
This statistic is attention-grabbing and it also sets the stage for the rest of the article.
By highlighting a common problem, you’ll be able to show your readers that you understand their needs and that you’re there to help.
10. Take a Stand
Another way to make your introduction stand out is to take a stand. This can be a controversial stance, or it can be a simple statement of fact.
For example:
“Do you feel like you don’t have enough time in the day? You’re not alone. According to a recent study, the average person only has 24 hours in a day.”
This statement is controversial because it’s likely that some of your readers will disagree with it. It also sets the stage for the rest of the article.
11. Use a Quote
This can be a famous quote, or it can be a quote from your own personal experiences. For example:
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”
This quote is from Steve Jobs, and it’s a powerful statement. It also lets readers know what you want to talk about in the rest of the article.
Final Thought
As you can see, there are a number of different ways to write a great blog introduction. By following these tips, hope you can engage your readers and let them find your article is valuable to read.