3 Ways to Open Your Articles
Conspiracy Alert: Ducks are taking over the planet, one bread at a time.
Good, now I have your attention
And that is how you open your articles.
How do I know that? Well let’s say I have the magical ability of adulting and working a job that gives me the magical opportunity of editing 10 thousand words every week, can’t say I don’t love it.
Regardless of whether I am editing or writing, I spend 3x more time refining the intro because it’s my opening shot.
As a writer, you are the host of the show and your audience has given you permission to woo them. Make them laugh, move them to laughter (or tears), educate them or sell them something — you better ensure you are doing it right the first time.
This is the perfect time to mention or rather blame TikTok, but trust me, your readers weren't that eager to read through bad content even before.
Getting back to the intros.
Here are the 3 most impactful ways to start your article to hook the reader from the very beginning.
1. Powerful Advocacy
Did you know that by 2025, the global AI market is expected to soar to over $60 billion? That means nothing to you or me but sounds cool.
People like numbers, they like it even more when they are big numbers.
If you can’t think of something more relatable, or there is no story, start with something external like a statistical report to start the conversation.
The story is a must. Talking about a statistic in a vacuum isn't fun, neither is it that fun to read. Make sure to connect the advocate (statistic/s) to your main story.
You might be wondering where’s the story in this section. Well, I just told you the story. The story is the mechanism to move the conversation forward towards a cohesive goal. (I know, right?)
2. Get to the Point — Fast
Is AI going to take your job? No.
Should you quit writing? No.
Do you think this article is AI-generated? You can read and feel it right away that it isn’t. Storytelling is not going to die any time soon, you just need to work on your openings and get to the point …fast.
Now back to the boring stuff:
When I am answering a question, I simply reiterate the question and answer it. It is quick, straight to the point and wastes no time. The reader is there to get an answer, don’t make them scroll up and down to find the answer.
Start with the question you are answering.
Suppose the keyword or the title is posing a question, continue the conversation from that point onward.
Think of your intros as a conversation starter.
And you don’t say, “I am going to tell you 5 reasons to write online… and then start talking about your backstory about how you were gifted a magical pen in 3rd grade that compelled you to begin writing…”
Make it make sense. And don’t be an AI.
3. Strong personal narrative
I have strong opinions and a strong affiliation with storytelling. Stories build the world around us. Without a good story, the writing falls flat, just like the alphabet don’t mean anything until you bind them together in a specific array of arrays.
Hope, inspiration, nostalgia, regret. Stories can transport you to a moment long lost in time or the one that is yet to come.
Stories have the power to change and transform. They are the drivers of emotions, cultural sensitivity, and knowledge.
They inspire (The little prince), they can move you to tears (Disney’s Up) and they can keep you entertained for days (Harry Potter Marathon)
Stories are integral to good content, especially educational content. Stories strengthen opinion pieces and personal essays.
If the title is something along the lines of top-of-the-funnel content or something you are educating the reader on then you can start with some contextual world-building.
Educate the reader and inform them about your POV before you explain further.
And with that, I have a question for you. What’s your favourite way to open the conversation? One thing is certain, whether you start with a hard-hitting statistic, or share a personal narrative, each approach has its unique power to draw readers in.
Experiment with these techniques and see the impact they have on your readers.
I am Nimra, a content creator and psychologist turned writer. I write about mindful creativity, story-driven content and empathy-first marketing.