How to Write a Blog Post Introduction that Attracts Readers

Your blog post’s introduction is arguably the most important part of the post. In just a few seconds, you have to convince your readers that the topic is worthy of their time. And in order for your blog post to succeed — build the relationship, establish your expertise, increase SEO, etc. — it needs readers.

Below, I’m sharing 3 features of a successful blog post introduction, along with 3 types of easy intros you create yourself. Bonus: These intros are perfect for doubling as intriguing social media captions!

3 Features of a Successful Blog Post Intro

A blog post intro can vary in length, from a few sentences to a few paragraphs, or even to a longer story. But a good blog post intro will answer a hearty YES to the following questions:

01. Will your ideal client immediately recognize something they care about?

Are you addressing a concern or issue your ideal client really cares about? Are you telling a story they can relate to? Whatever your strategy, the intro needs to be easily recognizable as relevant to your reader.

02. Do you promise your reader valuable information to come?

Let people know what they can expect from your blog post. For example, this blog post’s intro promises to show you how to write a blog post intro that works. Now, we’re creating trust by delivering on that promise.

03. Is your blog post introduction intriguing?

If you spill all the beans in your intro, why should your readers finish the post? Exactly. Instead, create a little mystery by introducing your topic but not giving away the heart of it just yet. This piques curiosity.

Strategy 1. Start Your Blog Post with an Interesting & Relevant Question

This is the easiest of the 3 strategies and just as successful as the others — ask a question. Of course, you want that question to be relevant to your topic. Let’s take the example of a blog post that helps people understand the best dimensions for a sofa in their living room:

“How do you avoid wasting time and funds on furniture that doesn’t fit well in your space? What will ensure a perfect fit and zero stubbed toes on your groggy morning trek to the coffee machine?“

It’s straightforward. It promises to solve a real problem. Then you can elaborate on the answer.

Strategy 2. Use Storytelling to Paint a Picture

Humans are hard-wired to love stories. While this strategy does take some practice to write, it will become second-nature once you’ve done it a couple times. There are many different ways to tell story, but let’s break it down into 3 main categories:

PAST

Share a story from working with a client, share tales from your own experiences, or situations you’ve heard about when discussing the topic with other industry pros. The options are endless, and cautionary tales and success stories work equally well.

PRESENT

When I say “present,” I mean the day on which you write your post or by simply using present tense to tell a story. This is a great way for readers to feel included, as if they’re right there with you!

Example: “Well, friends, I just stopped by the site of our latest project — the walls are up, the flooring and millwork is in, and what was once just foundation now looks like a house. It blows my mind how far this project has come, so of course, I can’t resist this opportunity to show you around. Come take a look…”

FUTURE

A story of the future? But the future isn’t here yet. Exactly. You are painting a picture of your client’s future, and you can do so as a cautionary tale, word of advice, or a happily ever after.

Example: “Imagine walking into your brand new kitchen. It has that new island with storage, seating, and a built-in sink. The lighting and finishes sparkle. The custom range invites you to whip up something delicious. But then you turn around… and see your old, dated living room.”

3. Start with a Quote or Bold Statement

This blog post started with a bold statement. And a true one. Yes, the first sentence of your blog post IS going to make or break its success. Another compelling way to start a blog post is to begin with a quote, which automatically sets the reader down into the middle of a story.

• “We have so little storage, that we’re using our dining room as a drop zone.” (Client)
• “I can’t believe we get to live here.” (Client)
• “That sofa isn’t going to fit through the door.” (Tradesman)

Your quote should be relevant to the topic, but can be straightforward or leave a little mystery. Most quotes serve to start a story and give you an opportunity to expand upon that person’s situation and how your target client can go about achieving success.

That’s it for now, but if you’re looking for support with content creation, we’ve been doing it for 7 years and would be delighted to help. You can check out our services here.

Cheers,
Jaquilyn