What’s the second most important part of your posts, after that catchy title? The first paragraph.
Many bloggers don’t get much response to their article because many people dropped out of reading their article because the “1st paragraph” wasn’t too convincing for them.
Like a sales man; when he knocks at your door he firstly introduce about the product by telling the important and interesting things about it, he doesn’t tells any rubbish info like it’s power consumption or it’s weight etc. . This makes most of the people buy that product. Similarly you have to try and make your 1st paragraph of the article so much interesting that will make the reader scroll down and read the rest of the part.
If your 1st para doesn’t makes you look a good sales man,
then the rest of your article might not be thought useful by readers.
Here are 10 ways to make the first paragraph of your article drag the reader to read the rest of the part:
1. Ask a question-
Starting your post with a question is a very good strategy, it creates curiosity and makes the reader think on it. The thinking may often result in linking your content, and that is something very good for you.
2. Start by quoting an interesting story part-
They are one of the best ways to communicate and to produce emotional reactions in others like sympathy, apathy, laughter, anger, sadness and so on.
3. Put a picture in the first paragraph-
We all know that a good image captures the attention of the eyes, so do not miss the opportunity to use it. But beware, do not forget that you are trying to attract attention from the first paragraph to redirect them to full article, if you use a striking image, but that has nothing to do with the article, the effect is lost. Use an image that readers can identify with the title or phrase, or representing a situation arising in the first paragraph of the article or topic.
4. Use the reader’s Imagination-
Usually if you describe something that a person can imagine or project in the backdrop of his head, then it will help you. Appealing to the mental imagery is one of the most powerful things you can do as a writer or speaker. You can help make this happen using words like “imagine” ,”think like a ..”, etc..
5. Make an analogy or Comparison-
How many times we explain things without any success until someone comes and says, “does this means…” or “is it similar to…” and suddenly, although the topic has nothing to do, we understand.
When writing your 1st paragraph, remember something which brings to mind a comparison that is useful for the reader to understand more easily, do not ever hesitate to mention it.
6. Use Metaphor in your article-
Metaphors are among the most powerful tools as it helps to tell a story or give advice in only one sentence. It is a great way to attract attention and cause a mental image that allows readers to tell a story themselves.
7. Use some Surprising Statistics-
Starting your article with numbers is not always recommended, but this is the exception to the rule; an interesting and shocking statistic is a great technique. People like them who provide interesting data, but only if they are original, surprising or shocking. Like the images; the statistics used must also be relevant to the topic you are trying.
Note: Do not abuse the amount of numbers, Use figures from reliable sources, and if you use graphics to enhance your statistics for greater impact then it will give you more benefits.
8. Quote someone famous or an expert-
A quote from an expert in one subject or character recognition, can work wonders in attracting the reader’s attention in those first few seconds.
9. Write a summary of your post-
If your article is long and you feel it’s excellent but somewhere the reader might skip then at the last of the article you can summarize the article so that your reader gets the proper information about that article.
10. Beware of links in the first paragraph-
Particularly I think the links are very useful, to describe what it has been inspired from or what it is related to.
But if you use them in first 2-3 lines to raise a condition for understanding your article, then probably your reader might leave. Unless you are a continuing any post series,do not place links in the first paragraph that readers need to visit to understand the rest of the article; it will only encourage them to leave faster which you really don’t want.
Remember! If you get a great title and a first paragraph, then it will ensure that you get the reader’s attention to the rest of the article.
Please lemme know your response on this article and how you! take care of your 1st paragraph of the article.
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Good post, I am following some of the ideas here!
@Hesham, Thanks buddy. I knw you liked it and re-tweeted it :0
Great post! I know many times I have left a site after reading the first few sentence in a post. I really like the Ask a question and/or the Make an Analogy/Comparison ideas.
.-= Doug Dillard´s last blog ..Why Comment on MakingMoneyOnline.com? =-.
@Doug Dillard, Gr8 to see you here Doug and Thanks for telling us about your thought on 1st paragraph importance.
Great post. I think I am going to copy it and print it so I can keep it right beside me. I do try to ask a question in the beginning. But I want to write another blog with all this in my mind. Great suggestions.
.-= Margaret Elmendorf´s last blog ..Does your Puppy or Dog chew?? =-.
@Margaret Elmendorf, Oh.. How lovely. I think I must also add a Print option button on my blog so that people can print my articles easily.. hehe
hay typhoon, you are also going to be pro, as it looks like pro-blogging tips.
.-= teratips´s last blog ..How to Set Cookies in PHP =-.
@teratips, Thanks tera for commenting and boosting me to be a pro-blogger :0
Wow, I think I am guilty of putting some links in the first paragraph. I will have to be more careful and do my best to follow these wonderful tips you have listed.
I normally only ask questions at the end of my posts, but will try and ask in the beginning too. Thanks for sharing these tips.
.-= George Serradinho´s last blog ..Serious Monday Roundup #3 =-.
@George Serradinho, It’s not too bad if you put links in the 1st para but be sure you add a string as
target="_blank"in the links of 1st para so that people suddenly don’t leave the blog.As they say, it’s all about the leading 😀 in this case, the beginning sentences are the most crucial of them all. It can vary per style, but the thing is to first catch the reader’s eye. It’s a must.
.-= Liane YoungBlogger´s last blog ..[Poll Results] Is Blog Advertising Really Dead? =-.
@Liane YoungBlogger, Yup, If your style is good and people like it then your all articles can be a hit.
I like to add pictures to my posts when I can, and I also like to ask a question for my readers at the end. Like Serradinho I will try to ask questions in the beginning to see how my readers like it. Thanks for sharing some great content. Greg Ellison
.-= Greg Ellison´s last blog ..Make your picture into a yearbook picture =-.
@Greg Ellison, Asking question at starting could really make your readers get excited in what’s more in that article to read. It could also make people comment more..
Nice tips, I always start with a picture or make a scenario to make a winning first paragraph.
.-= Een Rockstar´s last blog ..Rockstar Seo Tips =-.
@Een Rockstar, Thanks for commenting. Well I tweeted your recent article :0
Now this is some great advice and 10 which I will try to follow and hopefully improve my blogging shortly..
.-= Karen @ Blazing Minds´s last blog ..Blogs I’ve found of interest today! =-.
@Karen @ Blazing Minds, Thanks for commenting and tweeting up this article 🙂
I agree with all your points, it’s just a matter of me not always applying them to my blog posts, unfortunately 🙁
I especially agree regarding metaphors, that’s also important to use in your speech as it fires up your listener(s) mind with images.
.-= Klaus @ TechPatio´s last blog ..Help Me Test This System: Get Thousands Of Website Visitors For Free =-.
@Klaus @ TechPatio, It’s good that you told you aren’t applyign those. Brave guy..
But believe me if you get time and apply it you will surely gonna see some difference in your readers reaction to your post.