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Have you ever scratched your head trying to figure out how to write an introduction for a blog post that makes search engines happy?
Introductions are the first impressions of your blog post, and you only get to make them once. Your message has a better chance of engaging your target audience if your introduction is strong.
But, if your introduction doesn’t also satisfy Google, chances are no one will ever see your post during a keyword search.
You worked hard to write your blog. Perfecting the introduction ensures you can inspire readers to read the rest of the content so you don’t lose them. You’ll also impress Google, which loves fantastic content.
These tips cover how to write an introduction for a blog post that’s both compelling AND SEO-friendly.
Highlight your audience’s pain point.
People read blog posts for the value they offer. This means that one of the best ways to grab your readers’ attention is by identifying their pain points in your opener. It shows that you understand the problem your target audience is facing, and they will want to read the rest of your blog post looking for a solution.
Tell your readers what they can expect
When you touch a pain point, you set off a timer. If you fail to tell your readers how your blog post will benefit them right at the introduction, they will feel unmotivated and bounce (leave the post without scrolling or reading further).
Whether it is instructions on changing car oil or improving client retention, your introduction should explicitly state your blog’s message and make your readers believe it is worth their time.
Use a relevant quote
Quotes are an excellent way to add credibility to your blog post. A good quote can support your thesis and provide a framework for the rest of the content. A quote can summarize a commonly held view or best practice while constructing a counterargument.
It is worth mentioning that quote-based introductions can often become a crutch for sloppy writing. Therefore, use them sparingly. Furthermore, avoid overused quotations in your niche — such as “content is king” in marketing. Use quotes from unexpected sources or original quotes from thought leaders in your industry.
Use your focus keyword
Using your focus keyword near the start of your text makes it easier for your readers to figure out what the content is all about. However, readers are not the only ones you need to impress with the introduction.
Google likes “reading” introductions as well. Using your focus keyword in the first sentence signals your blog topic to Google. Furthermore, Google sometimes scans your first paragraph to generate a meta description, so adding your focus keyword at the opening can improve the post’s SEO worthiness.
Focus on readability
If you want your readers to go through your entire blog post, it must be easily readable and understandable. And, because the introduction is one of the essential aspects of any blog post, focusing on readability at the opening is especially important.
Here are a few readability tips that might come in handy:
- Write short sentences.
- Limit the use of words that are difficult to read.
- Use proper transition words.
- Avoid passive voice.
- Don’t make it too long — one paragraph with no more than a few sentences should do.
Write the introduction last
The introduction is the first thing your readers see, yet it should be the final thing you write for two main reasons:
For one, the introduction is more important than any other paragraph in the content. When writing a new blog post, it is easy to lose track of time trying to create the perfect opening. It is far more efficient to start by jotting down your key points.
Second, once you have written the meat of your content, you will have a greater understanding of the subject. You may also find that the opening you spent hours writing no longer fits your blog post’s central theme.
Open Your Blog Strong
The opening to your blog post is key. It either convinces your audience to read the whole thing or leads them back to the search results page to find another blog post. You can use these tips to write a compelling, well-optimized introduction for your next blog post.
