The First Few Sentences Matter More Than You Think

You can write a great article and still lose your reader before they get to the good part.

Why?

Because the reader has to decide whether to keep reading.

That decision often happens in the first few sentences.

Your Opening Has a Job

The opening doesn't have to explain everything.

Its job is to make the reader interested enough to continue.

Think about the television series we talked about in the last article.

The first episode has to give you enough to become interested—but it doesn't give you the whole story.

Your blog post can work the same way.

Start With the Reader

One of the easiest ways to create a stronger opening is to start with something your reader recognizes.

Ask a question.

Point out a problem.

Describe a situation they've experienced.

Make them think:

"That's me."

Once you've done that, you've earned another few seconds of their attention.

Don't Start With a Long Introduction

We've all seen articles that take several paragraphs before getting to the point.

By then, the reader may already be gone.

You don't need to explain why you're qualified to discuss the subject.

You don't need to tell the reader everything you're going to cover.

Get to the reason they clicked.

Curiosity Is Powerful

A good opening can create a question in the reader's mind.

You don't necessarily have to answer it immediately.

Give them enough information to understand the problem, then lead them toward the answer.

That's what keeps people reading.

Your Title Makes a Promise

The title and opening should work together.

If your title says:

Why Readers Don't Finish What You Write

the opening shouldn't spend three paragraphs discussing the history of blogging.

Start talking about why readers leave.

You've already made a promise with the title.

Keep it.

Write the Opening Last

Here's a trick that can make writing easier:

You don't have to write the opening first.

Write the article.

Figure out what you're really trying to say.

Then come back and write an opening that leads naturally into it.

Sometimes the best opening becomes obvious only after you've written the ending.

Final Thought

You don't have to grab your reader with tricks.

You simply need to give them a reason to stay.

Start with something that matters to them.

Create a little curiosity.

Then deliver what you promised.

The first few sentences open the door. Good writing gives the reader a reason to walk through it.