Your blog introduction, aside from the headline, is what will make or break whether someone actually reads your article. The average time spent reading a blog post takes 15 seconds.
What are you waiting for? !
It's not hard to see how we all have been there. When you search Google for what you are looking for, you will know exactly what it is. After just a few sentences, you can easily determine if a specific article is going to provide that information.
Introductions should not be used to fill in the gaps between the actual content and the fluff. If you want people to continue reading, they must be engaging and clearly demonstrate the value of the article.
There are many proven ways to ensure you hit the mark. Our ready-to-use guide will show you how to create a blog article introduction that is flawless.
Quick Take-Aways
- Blog introductions that address customer pain points are more relatable to your audience.
- Asking questions in blog introductions stimulates readers to think.
- It is important to find a balance between telling the reader what to expect and not giving away everything in the intro.
- Blog introductions that are effective emphasize the benefits and value of the article.
- Your blog introduction must make sure that your content delivers on all promises.
8 proven methods to create a blog introduction that is professional-quality
Be relatable
People search for content that will help them solve problems or accomplish important tasks. It could be completing a difficult project at work, organizing their home better, or understanding complex situations happening around the globe.
No matter what the topic, blog introductions can help you keep your readers interested by telling them “Hey, we relate!”
Let's see:
Let's say that a user is looking for ways to increase conversions through their content. Instead of focusing on the steps they should take, you could start by saying things like “Converting customers can be difficult” or “Many businesses create great contents but struggle to get customers the next step.”
These statements create a bond between you and your reader. It makes them feel connected because they are understood. They realize they are not the only one suffering from this problem. They will also realize that understanding the problem makes it more likely for them to offer a solution.
This type of content that is focused on customers' pain points has been proven to be extremely effective in keeping customers engaged. It starts with a clear mention of the topic in your blog introduction.
You can use keyword research to identify user pain points. Also, you can engage with customers to directly ask them questions. You can also conduct your own exploratory research. This article will provide a deeper look at how to identify customer pain points and what your products or services could solve.
Ask a question
Engaging people in blog introductions by asking them questions is a great way to get them thinking. It's also possible to use questions to highlight the content of your blog posts (more information on why this is important coming next).
You can ask questions about your customer's pain point. This is a great way for the user to either execute the previous tip or get curious about the content of your article.
To use the customer conversions example, you could ask: “Are your visitors driving traffic to your site but not converting paying customers?”
The question addresses the user's pain point in such a way that they ponder.
You could also use a question to see how your article will benefit you.
Your customer will be more inclined to read your article because they know they'll find the answer in your article. It is your responsibility to ensure that it is there.
Let people know what to expect
The thing is that people want fast answers. Particularly on the internet. They won't stop until you get to the point 1000 words later.
As we said, you have about 15 seconds to get people interested enough that they will continue reading. Blog introductions that leave customers in the dark will not work.
You don't have to include everything in the first few sentences. Instead, provide a quick and concise summary of what your customers will find in the article, without going into detail.
Example: “In this article, we'll cover eight effective tactics that you can use in order to convert paying customers using your content.” We'll then give you concrete steps to follow in order to implement these strategies immediately.
Your user now knows exactly what they will find if they decide to continue reading, but they still need to be able to understand the value of your article.
Value is what you should be focusing on
Content marketers must be able to distinguish between benefits and features.
This is a simple example to illustrate the concept.
Image Source
If they don't know the benefits of the product, people won't care much about its features. Blog articles are the same.
It's not enough to simply list what you will include in your article. It is not enough to simply list what you will include in your article.
Talking directly to your readers is a great way to achieve this. Let's go back to the example. As we said, we will tell our readers what to expect from the article.
“In this article, we'll discuss 8 effective strategies you can use in order to convert paying customers through your content. We'll then give you concrete steps to follow in order to implement these strategies immediately.
Notice how the second person is used. Imagine if we said: “We'll cover eight tactics that increase customer conversions in companies.”
You might argue that this still provides the same information. Although it is true, it does not directly address why I find it important. Both “You can use” or “implement them immediately” tell our users that the content is theirs and they will benefit directly from it.
I may add something to make it even more powerful: “Successfully applying these tactics will result in higher conversions, sales, and revenue for your company.”
My reader now knows I am sensitive to their pain and is clear about how I will address it in my article. They can also see how it will directly benefit them.
Provide a unique perspective
Google searches typically yield millions of results. Even the first page of Google searches, which is where most people are looking, has 10 results for every query. What can you do to stand out from all the other content? You can do this by offering a unique perspective on the subject you are covering.
Consider this: How many times have we searched for the exact same thing only to find several articles with similar content? It's not helpful.
A blog introduction with a unique approach can grab your readers' attention. Even if you have specific topics to cover, you can still be original by writing in a different style or showcasing your brand's personality.
It's possible to take a completely different position on a topic that has become repetitive or stale in your industry. Let's take, for instance, the blog title and intro to our article on personas. We argue that “Personas” are awesome. Except when they are a sham!
Source: Image Source
Huh? Personas don't suck! Personas are the best way to get to know your customer. Right?
They don't have to be done correctly. This article is one of our most popular, due to its challenge to the common opinion about a marketing tool that brands use.
While I do not advocate being always the contrarian, it is important to be against the grain when necessary (and emphasize it in your blog introduction) to attract people.
Do not give away everything
Now, let's talk about balance. We've already covered the importance of telling readers what to expect from your blog post. This is absolutely true.
You should not give away everything in the first few sentences. The blog introduction should give a hint of what's coming. Your blog introduction should be a teaser for what's to come.
Let's look at our customer conversions example one more time:
“In this article, we'll discuss 8 effective strategies you can use in order to convert paying customers through your content. We'll then give you concrete steps to follow in order to implement these strategies immediately.
We let our readers know that they will find 8 tactics but don't give details about those tactics. We wouldn't want our readers to go on their own and Google each one. Instead, we encourage them to continue reading to learn more about them and how they can be used.
Last, write the blog introduction
Although it might not be intuitive, I promise you that writing your blog introduction first will save you time and make your intros more interesting.
If you blog, you'll quickly realize that you cannot predict the content or direction of an article's content until it is complete. As you write, inspiration strikes, new ideas emerge, as well as the evolution of your content. It's almost certain that your blog introduction will be written before your article's body.
Write the article first so you can get an idea of the main points and overall tone. Writing your intro will be much easier.
Deliver what you say
Last, but not least – I cannot stress this enough – always keep your promises in your blog introduction.
It's easier to lose trust in your readers than telling them that you will give them something, and then failing to do so. Articles with great hooks but no follow-through will go a long way in convincing readers to trust your content.
Blog content that produces results
Blog content can be published to jumpstart your entire content strategy. Marketing Insider Group has a team that includes SEO experts and writers who can provide you with ready-to-publish content for a whole year. ).
To learn more, visit our Content Builder Service.
Marketing Insider Group's first post was How to Write a Blog Introduction like a Pro.
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By: Michael Brenner
Title: How to Write a Blog Introduction Like a Pro
Sourced From: marketinginsidergroup.com/content-marketing/how-to-write-a-blog-introduction-like-a-pro/
Published Date: Tue, 30 Nov 2021 11:00:57 +0000
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