“Oh no!” thinks Henry Green.
“I’m screwing this up.”
Henry has written his most in-depth post ever about starting a coaching business.
His blog post includes his very best tips—almost too good to give away for free. He’s also showcased other coaches, included quotes and drawn cartoons. Some might even call the post epic.
But doubt has crept up.
What if nobody wants to read my post, because my opening lines are crap?
Henry has read opening paragraphs that truly captivated him, and made him eager to read on. But now he has to be honest with himself … his own opening is not that good.
How can he change it? How can he avoid people clicking away? How can he entice people to read his precious tips?
What makes an opening paragraph irresistible?
Everyone is flitting around the web, skimming a few headlines here and peeking at a few opening lines there.
Your task as a blogger is to capture the attention of these restless eyes and engage readers so they stop scanning and start reading your content … with their full attention.
How?
Show your reader you understand them and you’ll help them.
Option 1: The you-focused opening
This type of opening paragraph addresses the reader directly, and it often (but not always) starts with a question.
This is the easiest type of opening paragraph to write; I’ve used it often.
Here’s an example:
Red-cheeked, you thought your draft was complete. You felt excited. Brimming with enthusiasm. You knew it … this was going to be superb. Probably your best-ever blog post. Yay!
You poured yourself a beer, feeling elated with your success.
Any minor editing and proofreading could wait until the next day.
But, the next day … you feel disappointed. Your writing sounds bland. Your sentences seem to stutter.
What can you do?
How can you create a smooth and enjoyable reading experience? How can you make your content dazzle and dance?
Let’s explore 4 ways …
The example opening lines above contrast the excitement of finishing a first draft with the disappointment when reading it again the next day; it then entices readers to check out the tips in the article by promising 4 ways to make a drab first draft dazzle and dance.
To write a you-focused opening, picture your ideal reader in a scene. What’s bothering them? What’s going wrong? Describe this scene in your opening lines, and address the reader directly by using the word “you.”
Option 2: The story approach
My favorite story approach mimics the you-focused opening.
Instead of addressing the reader directly, describe a scene in the 3rd person and conjure up a feeling your reader recognizes.
For instance:
Hasn’t everything been written already?
Helen checks her Twitter stream and answers a few emails. She doesn’t feel like writing. Not yet. She googles the word leadership.
756 million articles. Ouch. But still … Helen knows she can help, encourage, and inspire her readers.
While sipping her green tea, she leafs through her notebook with article ideas. Nothing feels right. Everything feels bland.
She doesn’t want to write a humdrum article. She doesn’t want to dump her ideas online. She wants to write with power, passion, and pizzazz.
She wants to wake up her readers, electrify them with her words, and jump-start them to change the world.
Why write if you can’t inspire change? Why write if people only skim your subheads before clicking away? How do you choose vivid words that make readers not only remember—but also love—your ideas?
Do you recognize the despair of having to write a blog post when you feel everything has been written already?
Note how the example paragraph above uses specific details to sketch the scene; we can picture Helen switching on her PC, we hear her deep sigh, and we can sense her resistance to writing her article; we empathize with her procrastination.
The danger of the story approach is that we get too focused on telling the story. We start rambling, including too many details. When editing your opening, try to cut the number of words. For a 1,000-word post, for instance, limit your story to 150 words at most, then transition quickly to your tips.
Option 3: The “me” opening paragraph
When I started blogging, I was nervous about using I and me in my writing.
Wouldn’t it sound like I’m being a sissy, a silly blogger sharing her doubts? Or even worse, could it sound like I’m bragging?
To make the me-focus work, consider it as a variation on the story approach. Instead of writing about a 3rd person, share your own story of a problem. Make sure your readers recognize your feelings. For instance:
I used to feel the same way.
I didn’t understand why people would read my writing tips when the web is awash with writing advice from people more experienced, more knowledgeable, and more authoritative than me.
Why would anyone listen to me?
I’ve learned that mindset was flawed.
When I learned how to write well, a new world opened up. I connected with people across the world. I built a thriving blog. People started listening to my advice—and more importantly, they acted on it.
Can you make an impact with your words?
Blogging is not about writing monologues.
To engage your readers, write like you’re having a conversation with them.
And just like in face-to-face conversations, it’s okay to use the words I and me.
The art of writing irresistible opening lines
You might think you’re a blogger, sharing valuable tips. You’re educating your readers.
But to write irresistible opening lines, you need to become a psychologist.
Sneak into the minds of your readers. Know exactly what they’re struggling with. Understand their feelings of frustration, worry, and despair.
Writing a good opening means persuading readers that your post is for them—you understand them, and you’ll share your best advice to help, guide, and comfort them.
So, empathize with your readers.
And promise to be generous with your advice.
That’s how you write seductive opening lines.
The Enchanting Blog Writing course (rated 4.9 out of 5.0) teaches you how to captivate, educate, and inspire your readers.
“Henneke’s teaching is simple, yet detailed, and I love the huge number of examples in this course. I had not realized how powerful examples are. The examples help teach what Henneke calls X-ray reading so I can now see how others write their blog posts, and I’m starting to create my own blogging voice.”
Recommended reading on blog writing:
How to inspire with closing paragraphs
7 scrumptious blog writing tips to delight your readers
Business blogging 101: How to create a must-read blog
Thanks for this Henekke. I won’t feel as guilty from now on when writing me focused openings!
Love,
Shweta.
Go for it! As a reader, I like me-focused openings. They promise a more personal, more interesting post. Happy writing!
Thanks for your content Henneke. I am doing daily writing exercises based on your articles. You add a lot of value to your readers.
Thank you, Nery. I do my best 🙂
Henneke thank you for this amazing tips. Funny how you’re not a native-speaker but flows better than most natives.
Your choice of words and the rhymes in between should be a thing of study.
Thank you for the bags of enlightenment.
Thank you so much for your lovely compliment, Zion. I appreciate it!
For a budding writer, above writing tips are jewels. I am surely going to follow these valuable tips and decorate my writings.
Grateful and thankful to receive them free🌹💓.
Thank you, Vandana. I’m glad you found this useful. Happy writing!
Excellent. I’m digesting every morsel. Soon I will be a good writer thanks to your help.
I’m glad you enjoyed this, Donna. Happy writing!
Thank you for such encouraging educating material. Even though English is not my native language, the material , in the way it was presented, kept me involved reading it over and over again. I enjoy writing in Arabic and also in English and I think I will start as a freelancer in this expanding field of copywriting. You really inspired me
English is not my native language either! Happy writing, Mohammad. Thank you for stopping by.
Thank you very much for this post. I have been a lazy writer despite believing that I have big unearthed potential in me. With these tips am ready to revamp my writing career with a clear vision having gotten this direction from you
That sounds great. Thank you for sharing. Happy writing, Kumbukani!
Hey Henneke,
Thank you for sharing this valuable article. Its really worth to read the full article. You said it right that a blogger task is to capture the attention of these restless eyes and engage readers so that they stop scanning and start reading your content with their full attention.
I really want to say you that your blog is very helpful for me. I learned a lot as it is fully loaded with important information. All the tips shared by you are really helpful for bloggers. I will surely share this article with my friends and family who have started their work of blogging.
Great work! Have a good day ahead!!
Thanks,
Ruhee
Hey Ruhee,
I’m glad you’re enjoying my blog and that you’re finding it useful. Thank you so much for stopping by and for sharing my work. I appreciate that.
Cheers,
Henneke
Thank you Henneke, for your valuable tips. Though I have been follower of your blog post for the last four years. I never took up writing seriously. But this tips inspired me to start writing. Thank you once again.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Sudhakar. It makes me happy that you feel inspired to start writing!
Hi Henneke,
Great tips as usual. I’m reading your writing snacks every day and clicking through to your articles for even more good advice. I have just one question: why do you always use “he” and “him” to refer to people in general? This old fashioned usage of defaulting to male really grates on me. Most other writers I follow have updated to using they/them (“give your readers want they want” works just as well as “give your reader what he wants”). From what I see, this is the updated and more inclusive way to write. What do you think?
Hi N,
I’m sorry my writing grates you.
When I started my blog in 2012, it was not common to use they/them for singular yet, so I tried to switch between she/her and he/him. I’ve actually been getting questions and comments both ways.
In recent years (I’m not sure exactly when), I’ve switched to they/them (which has also raised questions and irritations with some people!).
It’s true that I’m not consistent yet as I’ve not had the chance to go through all my blog posts to update. Even in recent posts, you may still find the odd he or she when referring to a reader or a writer or an inner critic. It’s hard to use the plural when you’ve always been taught that’s wrong.
I’m hoping to make time for reviewing my old blog posts after I’ve launched my blogging course. It’s a challenge to run a business and a blog while only working 10 hours per week.
Your writing as a whole doesn’t grate on me — quite the opposite! I’ve been enjoying your Snackable writing course a lot.
It’s just this one aspect that I noticed in a few posts –defaulting to all male all the time — that was grating a bit. I’m so used to reading more inclusive language these days that it stood out to me on several posts. (And since I clicked through from the Snack emails I just received, I didn’t notice they were old posts).
Of course, writing is a fluid discipline and writing conventions change all the time. I remember learning in school to never refer to “you” in an article, which of course no one flows anymore in blog writing!
Anyway, thanks again for the writing tips and I hope my feedback didn’t sound harsh, as that wasn’t my intention 🙂
Just to add my penny’s worth, Henneke. I worked for an adult education publisher in Cambridge UK in the 1980s. We published business workshop resources for empowering women and improving equal opportunities. (I’m sorry to note that we still have a way to go, even after three decades.) It was a non-profit organisation with a very strong ethos for inclusiveness that included using nongender-bias language. As an editor, steeped in the correct use of language, I found it very clunky. Somehow it breaks the flow as we read because we know it’s not a grammatically correct convention. Over time we have become used to it, but that doesn’t make it an ideal solution. If “they” is uncomfortable, one can use he/she, but I suggest that we need to invent new terms that transcend gender assignment without breaking the rules.
I personally believe that you’re an exceptionally gifted writer, Henneke, and whatever you do is fine by me! I have started to enjoy a little success myself and am very grateful for the wisdom and inspiration that you generously share.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this, Sue. It’s such a tricky issue and I don’t think an ideal solution exists.
I’m glad you’re starting to see success with your writing. Here’s to more success for you!
Thank you Henneke. Your genuine tips are greatly useful. As a content writer, I developed myself to a great extent by diving into your wonderful posts. Yes…got many many tips really. Thank you once again.
Thank you, Izzath. I’m glad you’re enjoying my tips. Happy writing! And thank you for stopping by.
As
Good
and
Useful
as
Always
Henneke 🙂
Thank you, Paul! Happy writing 🙂
This’s amazing Henneke. I have been struggling to create an attention-grabbing intro but this has taught me something.
What of you writing your first sentence like this.
” Listen.
Just because your blog post got massive views doesn’t guarantee your that content strategy is successful….”
Or like this one
” You know what.
SEO isn’t all about keywords, backlinks and the quality of content….
Olá, Henneke! Que bom que te encontrei neste vasto mundo que é a internet. Você parece mesmo ler meus pensamentos e saber do que estou precisando. Obrigada pelos ensinamentos e Deus te abençoe.
Abraço cordial
Happy writing, Vânia!
Why do you call these “snacks”? They ain’t snacks. They’re full-on feasts.
Many thanks. Dank je wel.
Wally
Ha, yes! If you click through from the email snack, you can feast yourself on a good meal.
Thank you for stopping by, Wally. Happy writing!
Hmm, I came here to find some inspiration and improve my writing, and to be honest, your writing never cease to inspire.
I’m definitely sure, you’ve heard this a lot of times, but you’re really amazing.
I finished a draft I was working on yesterday but deep down I wasn’t satisfied with it…
Thanks to you, I’ve found my inspiration..
You rock..
Thank you so much. I’m glad you feel inspired. Happy writing! 🙂
Your articles… your emails… your sales copy… it’s really AMAZING!!!
Never seen anyone sticking me to the monitor like you, before!
Thank you so much, Josè. What a lovely compliment! 🙂
Greetings from New Zealand Henneke,
I design training programmes on the elearning platform modlettes. I am thoroughly enjoying and learning so much from this series. After all we are marketing our information to the learner in much the same way as you are producing your blogs. However, we have more media than words, which gives us a broader palette to work with.
I’m glad you’re enjoying my blog, Colin, and I agree with you that creating courses is very similar to writing blog posts. We’re all trying to educate and inspire, no matter whether using words only, or imagery, audio, and video.
Thank you for writing this article. I can see the you-opening working on my newsletter to really jab at the issue.
What’s the best way to learn? Currently, I’m writing out blog posts I like, and deconstructing. It’s kinda like stalking, but not so creepy
Some people like writing out blog posts they like (or other marketing texts) but it’s not something I’ve ever got in but I definitely learned most through deconstructing. I try to understand how an opening (or a closing or a headline etc) has been written and why it works (or doesn’t work), and then use the same techniques for my own writing. It’s an ongoing process. These days I rarely study blog posts but still learn from books or long form journalism.
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing. From now on I won’t be hand writing out blog posts. It takes too long!
Thanks a lot, Henneke for your terrific tips for the yet to born copywriters like me.
Will ‘Option 1: The “you” opening’ work if we’re writing a covering letter for a job to a prospective employer? If Yes, please provide few examples. Thanks for your response.
I don’t know. HR specialists and CV writers have said my tips are applicable to job seekers, too, but it’s not something I specialize in. I’m a marketing writer.
Can I use any of those opening paragraph in any article?
No. That’s plagiarism. You can never use someone else’s sentences unless you quote them and add a credit and a link back to their site.
Hey, You are the most generous and your tips are certainly working. Here I am on taking notes with the age-old pen and paper, from so many of your pages opened on my desktop. I am being drawn back to a passion I had when I was a teenager and didn’t know how to pursue it. I just started seeking and now I found your page. I look forward to your emails and peruse them slowly. Thank you for showing us. It may be our missed destinies.
Thank you so much for my compliment on my writing, Jud. It makes me happy to know you feel inspired. Happy writing!
What a great series of links! I’ve bookmarked all, under my special “Henneke” folder on my desktop.
Question: If someone wants to start a dynamite blog like yours, must he first spend a few years compiling a series of captivating articles like the ones you refer to here, or does he just post a couple, then start his list appealing to the few who will read just about anything, because there’s nothing to watch on TV?
To build an audience, it’s useful to consider first who you want to attract and how you can help them so you can actually write articles that are valuable for them.
Once you know whom you’re writing for, you know how in-depth your posts need to be. In most cases it’s fine to write for beginners so you don’t have to study for years before starting your blog. But you do need to offer something that’s helpful.
You know, your emails are the only ones that I read faithfully. They are so full of actionable tips.
I just spent 45 minutes writing intros for Option 1.
then using a similar theme, re-wrote in option 2, and then did the same for option 3.
Felt inspired because this morning I read your chapter in the blog to win business book on writing headlines 🙂
Thank you so much for your compliment, Gisele. I’m glad you’re feeling inspired. Happy writing! 🙂
Really! your posts are of great impact to develop my writing career.
thanks Henneke.
Great! Happy writing 🙂
Congratulations, you just stole my heart ?
🙂
Gotta say..
As a complete copy noob (but a driven one!) I LOVE your tips and tricks…
Every post I ever read by you is very helpful.. oh and don’t get me started on those emails..
I always open a new tab with my copywriting Evernote tips&tricks document.. because I KNOW I’m gonna be writing stuff down.
You got a big fan from Turkey. Thanks!
Thank you so much for your compliment, Esat. You put a smile on my face 😀
Happy writing!
Hi Henneke
thank you! (just following your ‘you’ advice)
No wonder the site is named enchanting!
Openings are enchanting
Content is encouraging
Comment-responses are heartening.
The good Lord has empowered you for sure.
Krishna Seva das
What a lovely comment. Thank you so much. I’m glad you’re enjoying my writing. 🙂
Most enjoyable, thank you
Thank you, Brett. Happy writing!
Hi, I follow your articles. I love the way you express your content. As a brand new blogger. I have my page set up and ready to go. With all these ideas in my head. I don’t know where to begin. I know you can’t tell me what to write. But can you give me ideas on what my first few blogs should be about? Like where did you start? I am sure you were once where I am now. Thank you for any advice. It would help.
I started with describing who I wanted to write for (an ideal reader profile) and then decided what blog posts would be most useful to that person.
In the beginning, it felt to me like a big decision what my first blog post would be but I found out that it matters a lot less than I thought. Firstly, in the future, people start reading a blog on any random post. Secondly, our work will get better over time and we get to know who we’re writing for better.
So, if you’re feeling stuck, start anywhere. Getting started is the main thing.
Why oh why didn’t I find your blog sooner? You make writing well, simple.
It’s not as if I’ve been trying to hide! 🙂
Love your site and so appreciate your amazing advice. Thank you!!!
Thank you so much for your generous compliment, Sallie. Happy writing!
Honestly your blog posts are fantastic! I love them. Thank you! Just need to put them into practice now….!
Yes, yes, that’s why I write these posts—for you (and others) to put them into practice. Have fun! 🙂
Hi Henneke. You inspire me. Learning a lot since I collided (mmmm) with your site a few days ago. I’m hooked. What I’ve learned: I need to write with power, passion and pizzazz. Yes I should write not minding there are thousands out there more experienced, knowledgeable and authoritative because my ideas are worth sharing. You’re the best. Keep keeping on.
Thank you for making my day with your comment, Paul. Happy writing!
Am just from trying to use the word “you” it feels like a new way to express my words.
Thanks Henneke.
Introducing more “you” can indeed make a big difference to the tone of your writing. Thank you for stopping by, Lubosi Jr.
The best tips I have ever had.
Wow. Really?
Extremely simple actionable tips: Empathize with your reader directly (using “I”) or indirectly (using the story approach) or by directly talking to them!
Thank you for stopping by, Navin. I’m glad you enjoyed these tips about opening paragraphs. Happy writing!
Thanks Henneke for these great tips. I love to use the “You” approach in my writing. I love telling stories but when it comes to writing it down, ummmm it seems like a ‘promotion exams ‘ to me. I am learning the different approaches so that I can skillfully use them in my writing.
Thanks
Stephen King suggest writing a first draft with the door closed. What he means is that the first draft is only for your eyes—no need to think about everyone who might be reading later. When you edit your first draft, you write with the door open, considering how your readers perceive your text. This approach may help get rid of the exam feeling.
I like to use the closed door approach when writing a first draft. When proofreading, I go into the door open approach as you describe here. Using tips and tricks that I’m learning from you as well as some others.
Thanks for the great advice.
“Sneak into the minds of your readers. Know exactly what they’re struggling with. Understand their feelings of frustration, worry, and despair.”
How tremendous the advice is!
How untold generous you are!
Thank for your countless effort
Have a great day.
This is a great advice for me. I have been using this tips without realizing it. Thanks Henneke a lot.
Great write-up really loved reading it and still not willing to stop I wish I could start writing the way you do and startup my own business. Would follow your writing guidelines. I have a problem that I don’t have enough words to express myself, please give me advice on that too.
Read a lot and write a lot. Reading helps you see how others express their ideas. And the more you write, the easier it becomes to express your own ideas. It takes time and practice, so be kind to yourself.
This is helpful. Bless you!
Thank you, Olusegun.
Great piece of writing again. I am striving hard to master this free flowing writing technique. Hats off to you.
You’ll get there! 🙂
Happy to absorb all your great insights!! Keep ’em coming!!! Great guidance for birthing my new blog…yikes!
Thank you, Barbara. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself with writing a good first blog post. Confidence grows the more you write and publish!
One among many of your evergreen post. I just finished a 2500 word post yesterday and when I started reviewing it, the opening lines disappointed me. This article is the solution I needed. Thanks Henneke.
Hello Henneke
I am enjoying your tips and your website thank you very much. It would be nice to just write 150 words but Google likes to see 1000-1500 words article.
Hi Jill
SEO expert Rand Fishkin suggests there’s not really an ideal blog post length for Google. You may want to check out his article here: https://moz.com/blog/blog-post-length-frequency
I recommend writing for readers first (If they land on your blog post, what do they expect to learn?), then think about optimizing for Google after you’ve written your post.
As you pointed out Henneke, the opening must entice the audience to continue reading.
And then it occurred to me, you dropped a few magnets that had me straining at the bit to click on.
I reminded myself to continue reading your post, which I have and now I will go and read the nuggets you left along the way. I love that strategy.
Many thanks for your valuable tips and techniques.
Ha! Yes, I left a few irresistible chocolates in this posts. I’m glad you could resist the temptation initially and hope they tasted well afterwards 🙂
Thank you for your lovely comment, Judy. Happy blogging!
Openings are the hardest! I tend to like the story opening and maybe the “you.” I get so tired of hearing people’s personal stories (which tend to be exaggerated or fabricate outright).
Yes, I’m with you – I don’t like personal stories that are exaggerated either; and I don’t like it when people write too much about themselves or when they brag/rant/whinge a lot.
I recently realized I find final paragraphs even more difficult than openings!
Thank you for stopping by again, Cathy!
Hi Henneke,
Wonderful post. Jon Morrow writes some of the best opening lines. I saw he uses the first two approaches, but he also adds the “me” in the story.
Writing an irresistible opening is very important because many readers may not want to read a long post so that is why you have to hook them from the beginning.
Thanks for sharing,
Minuca
When I started blogging, I learned a lot from studying Jon’s opening paragraphs. Later on, I found my own approach.
You might like this post I wrote for Copyblogger, in which I analyze one of Jon’s opening paragraphs: http://www.copyblogger.com/seductive-openings/
Thank you for stopping by again, Minuca!
What a great lesson i’ve just learnt..
I need to capture the whole of my readers heart from the beginning of my posts.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful post.
That’s a great way to put it!
Thank you 🙂
Somehow, I go from knowing my writing is boring, to wondering if it isn’t silly, depending on what tricks I try. When I feel comfy with it, I know it’s boring. If I feel it’s a bit goofy, usually it’s eally just right.
That tells me I may be just a bit boring, myself. Ha! I know I am serious-minded, but if making a reader laugh and loosen up a bit will also make him stay and read more, it will be a good thing.
I think I’ve always tried to hide my natural goofiness, and that made me think I was a very boring person (also because I can’t talk about what was on TV last night because I don’t watch TV anymore). I now feel more comfortable not taking myself too seriously. I now also realize nobody is boring – everyone has a story to tell, and we’re all fascinating in our own ways, whether we’re serious, a little crazy, or full of jokes.
No TV here, either! Now that’s something that’s boring!
Thanks for this interesting post. I am not a blogger but I run my own education company and I am working in digital marketing industry since last 8 years. In my experience I have seen that when ever I started the first line with ‘you’ and an interrogative sentence that landing page converted more than the other pages. The story telling approach is another very effective way but not that easy to deploy and most probably not applicable to all types of contents.
I agree with you – the “you” approach is the easiest to implement; it also works very well in emails, and landing pages as you say.
Thank you for adding your thoughts – I appreciate it!
Hi Henneke,
Great to read a post of yours again. I am not the fastest runner on the track but I am beginning to see a pattern here.
Know your readers, feel your readers, get in their heads, put yourself in your readers shoes and walk, connect with and be the reader.
Without catching the readers attention with the opening I guess there’s no point in writing the rest. I have written so many words that have never been read because my opening failed to do its work. I failed to do the work.
Let’s hope I’ll have less unread words now. I always get the tools here but at times I am using a shovel to tighten a screw.
So with a deep sigh I will switch off my PC. Another comment left. Another post waiting on me to edit. I hope you’re smiling. Later Henneke. You are one of the best in the business and I admire you.
Barry
Oh my, Barry, I can hear that deep sigh even here!
Don’t be so harsh with yourself. Improving any skill is tough and takes time. I’m sure you’ve already come quite far since you started. Don’t forget to celebrate each success, no matter how small.
Keep smiling!
Can I say option 3 is a subset of option 2? Because I think they fall into a story-themed opening.
I think they’re all variations of each other. 🙂
My favourite is the ‘You opening’. In fact, I was so inspired I wandered off and wrote a 736-page article before returning. I wonder if other people do that? Thank you, Henneke, for making writing so much fun. I’m still working on the ‘Me” approach.
I also find the “me” approach tricky. No need to force it, the others work fine, too. You’ll find a way to make it work when the time is right and you spot the right opportunity 🙂
Thank you for returning to leave a comment, Joan!
Hey Henneke,
Empathy is key. Since we’Re by nature selfish it’s hard for a lot of us to empathize with others.
It was for me even though ironically I wanted to get all the targeted traffic, subscribers, and sales. Its an unbalanced contradictory but as you get better at writing you start to look at the perspective of your readers better.
A great way to start on the right foot is with engaging open liners.
Thanks for the share Henneke! Have a good one!
“Since we’re by nature selfish…”
I used to think the same, but I’m less sure these days. I think we have a selfish side and a compassionate side. We’re not always good at finding the right balance.
Humans are full of contradictions.
“But the online world is about more than information and entertainment. Readers also want to be comforted. They’re looking for connections, for like-minded spirits. They want to feel understood.
The most seductive opening paragraphs empathize with a reader, and make him feel less alone.”
Wow. Perfect. You have such a gift for making the mysterious world of crafting a blog post tangible. Glad you are back. 🙂
I love digging into the mysteries of writing. I keep discovering new ideas. I love that, and I love sharing it, too 🙂
Hi Henneke,
Excellent tips on good opening lines.
These 3 empathic type of openers engage the reader in ways no other approach can come close to.
I find that the “me” approach is very succesful when your audience (perhaps subconsciously) thinks they’re not going to be able to do something. In such a case, it’s powerful to share a story of how “you used to think the same thing, until…”.
Great post, Henneke. As always, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Enjoy the rest of your week!
– Jasper
I’m becoming more comfortable with the “me” approach – maybe not always as the intro, but at least sharing a little more about my experience.
Thank you for your kind words, Jasper. I appreciate your comment!
As always, most enjoyable Henneke with a few (more than 3) nuggets in there.
You’re spot on about needing to become a psychologist, because the opening has so much work to do – needs to be short, show some empathy, grab the readers attention so they keep on reading, hit the pain point and the list goes on.
Which do you think is the more challenging – the opening or the closing?
Kind regards
Mark
The rule of three can’t apply to everything 😉
I find the opening and closing both quite challenging. This is why I often write them the next day., so I feel fresh and more enthusiastic about writing them. Which do you find most difficult?
For me it’s the opening Henneke. I always need to revisit that one, and like you will do it next day. Enjoy the sun 🙂
Hi Henneke,
great actionable advice here.
I guess a lot of people see “getting the readers’ attention” still as the main goal of the opening lines. Or use it strictly for SEO by repeating the keywords right in the beginning. But as you say, it’s more about connecting, empathizing.
Attention is good and all, but I could easily get attention by reciting sea shanties wearing nothing but a bow tie and purple cowboy boots … That being said: Attention isn’t everything. That’s why AIDA might be useful except for when it’s not.
Again and again it boils down to knowing your reader.
Thanks for a pleasurable read.
Have a fantastic week
Chris
Purple cowboy boots… now we’re talking! 😉
I think headlines need to grab attention because they need to compete with so many other headlines in social media streams. Once a reader has clicked through to read the article, the next task is to convert that initial interest and turn scanners into readers – that’s how I write my opening paragraphs (the subheads have a role to play, too, as some people may scroll through a post first before deciding whether it’s worth reading).
Good to “see” you again, Christian!
Thanks a lot for the article. Would you recommend mixing forms of headlines or better be consistent in your style? E.g. Always “me” – I also feel if you use e.g me it will influence the style of the article as well. Food for thought!
Hi Tom – I think you can mix it up: I have used all three approaches for my opening paragraphs; in some cases you can even mix up the “you” and “me” approach in one paragraph. I’m not sure it influences the style of the remainder of the article much. In my case, I usually write the main body of the article first (the tips), and after that I write the opening and final paragraphs.
Hi Henneke
Thanks for the great summary to take away from this post.
“So, empathize with your readers.
And promise to be generous with your advice.”
And for there reminder that we want to feel understood, and the details of how we set the scene are really important to make it feel recognisable and authentic. Little things like beer, or green tea rather than ‘a drink’.
And allocating some time to really set the scene. That’s probably the next challenge: getting the opening lines not too long either!
Have a great week.
Alison
“Empathize with your readers. And promise to be generous with your advice.”
I was wondering whether this is actually the secret to creating an addictive blog. Perhaps needs a dollop of good editing, too. But it sums it up pretty well.
Always good to see you, Alison! 🙂
Quod erat demonstrandum.
I try!
Hey Henneke,
Great post.
Opening lines are definitely key. I like the first two examples the most. But I never tried the me approach..probably because I was taught that the post should never be about me and be all about the reader. But I love how you switched it at the end to bring it back to the reader.
So something like that I can see myself really trying in the future. Thanks for this and enjoy the rest of your week.
-Andrew
I think the key for the “me” approach is to make it about the reader rather than about “me.” This may sound contradictory, but when the reader recognizes himself in the “me” story, then it still works as a way to empathize. Perhaps it may even allow the author to bond stronger with the reader than the other versions?
Thank you for stopping by again, Andrew!
Thanks for such great post! The opening lines are often the hardest to write. These tips are so good to bear in mind to start off with a strong opening – and then be able to get into a good writing flow.
Yes, I find the same – the opening lines are often the hardest to write. This is why I often write them last. If I’d have to write them first, my articles might never get written …
Thank you for your kind words, Sarah!
Hi Henneke,
I’ve just started editing my last article, and I found my opening paragraph long and confusing. Tripping over itself.
Thank you for the reminder of how openings should sound.
Have a great day.
I also find that I have the tendency to make my openings too long. Always need to edit out a few sentences …
Thank you for stopping by, Irina!
I struggle with this as well, Irina.
It’s frustrating .. Because you feel like all you wrote is necessary but you know it’s droning on from time to time.
Keeping it short and precise is key.
Absolutely.
Thank you, Andrew, for your comment. Working hard on my opening. 🙂