Would you like to learn how to write great intro paragraphs for your articles? Stick around, and we’ll teach you eight awesome strategies for writing some killer introductions!
Intro paragraphs are the make or break point for the success of your content. Once you have crafted a great title that entices people to read your piece, a boring intro can still drive them away with the rest of your potential income. However, there are many techniques you can use to write a hooking intro paragraph. This article covers all the strategies you can use to write an intro like a pro.
What is the purpose of the intro paragraph?
When speaking of intro paragraphs, many people have in mind the introduction one reads typically in a book composed of several sections and sometimes even pages. However, an intro paragraph needs to be short and to the point in a blog post.
How to write great intro paragraphs? In general, it is between one or two paragraphs. The purpose of a great introduction is the following:
- Grab the reader’s attention
- Hook the reader to carry on
- Give the readers an idea of what to expect
The introduction must be engaging and compelling and must be able to make a bridge for the reader between the beginning and the rest of the content. Readers might never get past the first few sentences if the opening is weak or uninteresting. You could consider the introduction composed of four main aspects:
- the hook
- a transitional element
- reinforcement of why they should read the full article
- typically, the main benefit they will get or the main problems they will be able to solve.
The hook is necessary to attract the reader to continue reading; it is short but exciting. It could be a question or just a few words. The transitional part of the introduction connects the hook to the body of the article. Finally, you can add a few words just before the end of the intro to strengthen the reasons they should read the article.
Best strategies For How To Write Great Intro Paragraphs
You can use many strategies in crafting effective and killer intro paragraphs. Sometimes you can combine a few techniques to make the intro more compelling. But, it would be best if you chose the strategies that best fit your writing content. Here are some of the best strategies used by professionals:
1. Controversy
Controversy helps to create tension and hook the audience to continue reading. A dispute includes two or more opposing parts confronting each other, often, there is drama and emotions, and it can spark curiosity about a possible outcome.
A controversial intro needs to be carefully thought out and studied to ensure it does not contrast the main brand of your site or the central message of your blog. But if well done, a controversy is perfect for capturing readers.
Examples of a controversial intro:
- Despite the most common belief that ___
- Everyone knows that (statement), but these new findings will shake your certainties.
Controversial intros are powerful but sparingly utilized since topics that invite debate can also lead to trouble. While it is a great way to hook readers quickly and connect with them, you should pay great attention to how you use it.
It can be challenging to craft a perfect introduction. Let a professional help you. Learn more.
2. Use a question
Using a question in the intro of your article is another excellent way to grab the reader’s attention. A question can make the reader ponder about it and willing to get the answer, which is, of course, in the body of your article.
It is part of human psychology to want to get the answer to a question and satisfy curiosity. Therefore, you can vary how you ask questions to make it more attractive for the reader to find the answer.
Make sure that your content covers the topic in a way to answer the question you proposed.
3. State a problem
Start your intro by stating the problem that the article will resolve. You might get your audience hooked immediately. Most people will continue reading if the problem is a significant ruin or concern, and you make it clear that you can resolve it.
People are looking for online resources to help them resolve things or improve their lives. A powerful magnet indicates the issue and the upcoming solution.
For example, here are some introductions that state a problem:
- Are you tired of losing traffic from your site? Then you have arrived in the right place___
- 8 out of 10 small businesses close down within the first five years. Fortunately, you can do a few things to thrive in these challenging times___
4. Use a quote
Starting with a quote can be unusual, but it is another proven strategy that attracts readers’ attention and spark curiosity. A funny quote can make people laugh and get them so intrigued that they will read the rest of your post.
In addition, quotes coming from famous people can add authority to your writing. Therefore, make sure to use excerpts from a relevant and well-known author in their area of competence.
On the other hand, if you use quotes that everyone else is using or are otherwise too familiar with, readers might lose interest in what they are reading.
5. Use a story or an anecdote
An intriguing story can hook the reader more than anything else. They are a great way to establish a connection with the audience by showing vulnerability, a funny side, or a lesson learned through an experience.
In addition, the end of your story can be the bridge necessary to lead your audience to know more about the topic and thus read the rest of the article.
6. Use an analogy
An analogy is a fast and effective way to build familiarity and a relationship with the reader.
An analogy can help people relate to your article’s topic. By adding another thing they are familiar with (analogy), the reader thus gains trust in what they are reading in just a few seconds. This trust occurs by way of subliminal association.
In addition, analogies can be funny and intriguing and help you make people understand even complicated concepts in a few seconds.
7. Use a surprising statistic
People are generally interested in statistics, even better if they are surprising or shocking. The statistic mentioned need to relate to the topic of your article in such a way as to generate interest.
Statistics are successful because they show the tendency of a specific market or thing; the readers confronted with a surprising trend will want to know more about how the result came about.
8. State the obvious
Stating the obvious is another strategy for an intro paragraph. Using a sentence that most people can agree with helps to establish a point of reality with the audience.
However, watch stating information that isn’t useful. It may be a grey area, so to speak, so stick to helpful over prominent, but do try to connect with your reader – that’s the takeaway here.
If the readers can agree with you, they will continue reading, or at least would put them on the same page as you.
Although it might appear that writing the obvious can be tedious, your audience could relate better to your content. A story or another hook can always follow an obvious statement.
What is the right strategy to use in your introduction?
If you need help with a professionally written introduction and finding the right approach, let us help you. Contact us today.
Additional tips for How To WRite great intro paragraphs
Although it might seem like a complex activity requiring a lot of writing, a good introduction is short and compact.
The trick is to write it as straightforwardly and as direct as possible to ensure readers understand what you will be talking about and that they are willing to continue reading.
It means that the intro sound is between 100 and 200 words; making it longer can become tedious and nullifies the initial positive effect. Although it might be challenging, you should try to be unique in how you write your introductions.
In this way, you can create your unique style. But above all, you can have the best introduction ever but fail if the rest of the article does not answer your audience’s question or doesn’t deliver what you promised.
For some people, it is helpful to write the introduction as the last thing. Still, it is not always necessary to write about a topic you know well.
Frequently asked questions About How To Write Great Intro Paragraphs
How do you start the first paragraph in a blog?
The first paragraph in a blog post should start with a hook. Then, it should be a few words or questions that can capture the reader’s attention right away. You can use many strategies, but the purpose is to make it attractive for the reader to continue.
How long should a blog post introduction be?
Generally, introductions should be around 100 words, sometimes 200 words, depending on the strategy used. But short, concise, and direct introductions are more successful. But if you need to write a more extended intro, just remember to make it to the point and not use excessive fluff.
What is a hook?
A hook in a blog post introduction is a short sentence or a few words that act as an opening statement or are in the first paragraph to attract the reader’s attention and instill enough interest to continue reading.
Article References
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- NeilPatel.com, “The Ultimate Guide to Writing Blog Post Introductions,” https://neilpatel.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-writing-blog-post-introductions/, Accessed September 28, 2022.
- Academicwritingsuccess.com,” 7 Sensational Essay Hooks That Grab Readers’ Attention,” https://www.academicwritingsuccess.com/7-sensational-essay-hooks/, Accessed September 28, 2022.
- Writtenlyhub.com, “ 16 Tips to write a great blog post introduction,”https://www.writtenlyhub.com/write-great-blog-post-introduction/, Accessed September 28, 2022.
- Coschedule.com,” 11 Tips & Best Practices for Writing a Blog Post Introduction,” https://coschedule.com/blog/blog-post-introductions#9–perfect-the-length-of-your-introductions, Accessed September 28, 2022.
- Contentmarketinginstitute.com, “7 Tips to Write a Great Blog Post Introduction,”https://contentmarketinginstitute.com/articles/tips-write-blog-post-introduction/, Accessed September 28, 2022.