How to Write a Blog Post Intro That Actually Makes People Keep Reading
Ah, blogging. The bane of every wedding pro’s existence. Why must the #2 best ROI digital marketing method be so complicated?
(#1 is email marketing, by the way– average ROI of 3,600%. SEO marketing, a combination of your website and blog SEO, has an average ROI of 2,200%.)
If spending hours writing blogs you’re not sure will work makes you want to rip your hair out, and you’re not alone, my friend.
Blogging…well, it sucks if you don’t know what you’re doing. And you don’t have time to play guessing games!
In this blog, I’m covering everything you need to know about blog post introductions so you’re not wasting time writing shit that doesn’t convert.
Oh, and before we get too far– there's no such thing as a perfect blog post. So take, "but I'm not a great writer" off your list of excuses now.
Alright, let’s do it!
What’s the purpose of a blog post introduction?
Thanks to the good ‘ole internet, we’ve got hella short attention spans - you have less than 8 seconds to hook your audience and convince them to read further.
Fun, right?
In that very short span of time, your intro needs to accomplish 4 things:
Grab your readers' attention
Provide context
Set expectations
Convey your personality
Without these things, you’re writing into the wind. I’m gonna cover #1 in-depth here in a minute, but let’s tackle the other 3 first.
Provide context: tell your audience what your blog will be about
Set expectations: share what your audience will learn after reading
Convey your personality: introduce who you are by infusing your real voice into your writing
Writing blog post introductions DOES NOT need to drive you crazy. I've got a foolproof method to help you figure out what to say and how to say it.
Why I write blog introductions last
Before you jump into writing, you should know: I always write my blog post introductions last.
Why? Because you want to have the body and conclusion of your blog figured out first so your intro addresses the right information.
In about 50% of the content I write, the blog content changes in at least a few ways, from outlining to the first draft. If I were to write an intro before that first draft, I’d likely have to rewrite it anyway.
Research your topic and write a rough draft first, even if it’s really rough. It’ll save you in the long run, trust me. Don’t waste your precious time!
How to write an intro for a blog
By far, the most important part of your intro is the hook. I usually use 1 of 4 methods for hooks:
Personal story
Pop culture/current events reference
Fear/pain point
Statistic
Personal Story
You know those recipe blog posts where you have to scroll through paragraphs and paragraphs of the writer talking about "their first time cooking with Grandma" or whatever? Yeah, don't be like that.
Relevancy is key here. No one wants to hear about your dog in a blog post “just because.” You also don't need to give your whole life story.
People read your blog to get information that will answer a question or solve a problem.
If your anecdote is relevant to your topic, it can ground your blog with an example that’s easy for your audience to relate to. You can also use a success story, from you or your clients, to achieve this.
Example:
“Last week I was watching my daughter play with a new toy. She didn’t quite know what to do with it, but instead of getting frustrated, she was calm, observant, and full of wonder. It got me thinking - how much easier would planning a wedding be if we could approach it like a kid?
If there was a way to plan a wedding with as much calm and wonder as my daughter has, I’d either be a billionaire or of a job!
Seriously though. I can’t wave a magic wand and make every part of the planning experience flawless, but I can help you prepare for the hiccups that will inevitably come up along the way. With these tips, you’ll be able to take control of wedding planning and actually enjoy the process.”
Pop Culture/Current Events Reference
Similar to anecdotes, your pop culture references need to be relevant to the topic and your audience. If you cater to couples in their 20s, using a reference from the 80s might not land as a classic 90s reference. If you use current events to introduce your topic, ensure 12qit's well-known and relevant to your audience. The latest trend of Tik Tok may go over the heads of an older crowd.
Example:
“Remember when Elle Woods handed her pink, scented resume to Professor Callahan?
Truly an icon - but maybe that wasn’t the best time to be over-the-top extra with stationery. Your wedding invitations, though, are the perfect time to add all the bells and whistles! From paper weight and color to printing styles and embellishments, there are so many options. Let’s talk about them!”
Fear/Pain Point
The easiest way to hook your reader is to get straight to the point - why are they here? Addressing their fears or pain points lets blog readers know you understand them, which builds trust and authority.
Example:
“We all know booking your photographer as early as possible is so important, but how do you figure out what photographer is right for you?
After all, this is the person who’s responsible for capturing memories of your day. You can’t just choose the first person who comes up in a search! Your research should be thorough, but it doesn't have to overwhelm you. Keep reading for our best tips for researching and interviewing photographers for your big day!”
Statistic
Be careful not to overwhelm your reader with a ton of data right away. Instead, use one hard-hitting data point to hook them, and then back that up with some human talk.
Example:
“Zola recently introduced their “Wedding Budget Diaries” series on Instagram, where they’re breaking down the actual cost of weddings.
If you want to take a look, check out the post here. But we’ll summarize for you: 5 couples with wedding budgets ranging from $5,000 to $200,000 are featured.
And every single one of them went over budget.
So what does that mean for you? You may want to take a second look at your budget, and we’re here to help. We’ll break down everything from the major costs of your wedding to the hidden ones that sneak up on you.”
In each of these examples, I underlined the topic summary - this is the part you have to include in the blog post intro to let your readers know what they’re in for.
Regardless of your chosen method, you must ensure your personality is present. Your voice is what will create a compelling introduction and set your blog apart from the millions of others on the internet.
Quiz time: which hook method did I use in the intro of this blog? DM me your answer, and I’ll give you a $100 credit for my services!
Examples of blog post introductions
Click through these to see some real-life blog intro examples I’ve written for my clients.
Need more help writing blog post introductions (and, ya know...the rest of the blog?)
So we’ve learned how to write a blog intro…now what?
Your blog intro is only useful if the rest of the blog works too. And I know you’ve got like -3000 hours to figure it out.
That’s why I created a proven method for researching, writing, editing, and optimizing your blog posts that will guarantee you’re giving them the best chance of success. And I’ve wrapped it all into an action-packed guide: Crafting Blogs That Sell. Check it out!
