Warning: If you aren’t doing this one thing right, you’re losing readers faster than Frosty the Snowman melts in the summertime sun…
If your potential reader gets past your headline… you’ve got to GRAB them with your opening line before they click away to all the other shiny objects competing for their attention!
So how do you craft an opening that draws your reader in?
What do you say that makes your reader think, “and then what happened next?!”
Here are 10 attention-grabbing ways to open your next blog post:
Want to Share this Infographic on Your Blog? Just copy and paste this code (use “Text” view when you edit your post):
<center><a href="https://www.michelleshaeffer.com/blog-post-openers" target=_new><img src="https://www.michelleshaeffer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Blog-Post-Openers.png" width="650" border="0"></a></center>
Here’s a little more detail about each of the openers:
1. Ask a Question
Have you ever…?
2. Begin with Dialogue
She told me I’d never succeed, but then…
3. Share a Quotation
Famous person said shocking thing…
4. Start With a Sound
WHOA!… Thud!… SPLAT!…
5. Evoke a Feeling
Warning:… evokes caution, fear…
6. Get Descriptive
Thick black smoke rushed out of the kitchen as I ran to open the door in a futile attempt to silence the piercing sound of the fire alarm taunting me for my attempt at…
7. Break Out the Humor
Googlebot walks into a bar and…
8. Make a Bold Statement
99% of the bloggers reading this will fail… but could succeed if they did this one thing differently starting today…
9. Quote Fact or Statistic
86% of people skip TV commercials *source
10. Reveal a Personal Experience
I sat on the floor holding my crying, hungry toddler, in tears myself… and made a promise that day that no matter what it took I would never be in that situation ever again.
Do any of those 10 make you want to keep reading to see what comes next?
These are all simple but effective. They can be fun to combine, as well. Test them out!
What’s the best blog post opener you’ve seen recently? What your favorite way to open a blog post?
- 12Shares
12
OOh awesome ideas Michelle, loving the infographic – Thanks a mil! My fave = #4. Start With a Sound WHOA!… Thud!… SPLAT!…
Defo bookmarking this for future reference! x
Emily la Grange recently posted… How to get Unlimited Blog Title Ideas Even If You’re Brand New to Blogging [Part 2]
This is golden. Thanks!
You’re welcome, thanks for reading and commenting Jessica.
Michelle Shaeffer recently posted… A Soundtrack to Inspire Your 2015 Goals
Isn’t that one an interesting idea? Makes me curious to keep reading… :)
Michelle Shaeffer recently posted… How I Create Images to Attract Traffic from Pinterest
love the infographic. thanks for sharing
Louise Behiel recently posted… Don’t Bother Making New Year’s Resolutions
Thanks for reading and commenting, Louise.
I skipped resolutions this year, too. Clicked through and left a comment on your post. :)
Michelle Shaeffer recently posted… I Made Myself a Promise (You Should, Too)
This infographic is really entertaining, especially the WHOA!… Thud!… SPLAT!…. I’m going to use that somehow.
I’ve added it to Pinterest so I don’t lose it and others can use the info too. Thanks!
Linda Bibb recently posted… 2014 in Review: How We Lost 170 Pounds
Thanks for reading, and for sharing, Linda!
Michelle Shaeffer recently posted… How I Create Images to Attract Traffic from Pinterest
I was thinking about infographic for my blog website. this article could not have come at a better time. thank you now I understand about infographic.
PATRICE M FOSTER recently posted… 2015 a year for change do we really change
Hey Patrice, check out http://www.piktochart.com and http://www.visual.ly for more infographics. :)
Michelle Shaeffer recently posted… A Soundtrack to Inspire Your 2015 Goals
Great tips here Michelle! I absolutely agree that you must grab your audiences attention from the beginning. This is something that I strive to accomplish for each blog that I post on my website.
That’s great, Eric. It’s key to keeping our readers engaged. So always a smart move. :)
Michelle Shaeffer recently posted… How I Create Images to Attract Traffic from Pinterest
As a former news reporter, I know how essential it is to compel a reader to pay attention.
One of my favorite blog post titles I came up with is:
“Why Dating a Divorced Man is NOT like a Holiday Lifetime Movie”
Nancy Kay recently posted… 5 Things to Let Go of in 2015
Oh that’s a GOOD one, Nancy! Excellent example.
Michelle Shaeffer recently posted… Before You Hit “Publish” Checklist
Thank God I found your blog! I am starting a new website and your input is very helpful. Thanks for sharing!
Michelle, thanks (as always) for the great information. I like the hook of this post, it is what made me continue reading. :)
You example of you crying on the floor with your toddler is also one I would continue reading as I’ve been there before.