Article writers: Please share your tips to write a killer opening

Try using a statement or question related to your subject matter that snags your reader's attention right from the get-go. I like to think of that as a "Hey you" sentence or question.

Now that you've got their attention, explain a bit further before moving on to your main points and explanations.

You might also want to take a look at various ezinearticles. See which of their opening statements grabbed your attention and figure out why.

There's no standard answer to your question. Every article is different depending on what point you're making. There is an old formula for delivering information that might help though. It doesn't matter if it's written, audio or video, this always works and it's simple.

1. (Introduction) Tell them what you're going to tell them.
2. (Body) Tell them.
3. (Conclusion) Tell them you've told them.

This is an excellent formula for delivering any information. Let's say you were going to write about breeding guppies. You might open the article like this:

In this article I'm going to explain some of the important aspects of breeding guppies. We'll discuss the ideal environment, the optimal foods, water temperature and a lot more.

I just used that as an example and know absolutely nothing about breeding fish. But when you're an expert on something you can open with interesting and important points, stuff your readers are just dying to know. Then it's a matter of delivering what you promise and then recapping the info you've delivered in the close. Good luck.

What is THE main, key point that you want your article to get across?

Write it down.

Re-read your other points.

Does it look like they support the main thrust of the article?

If so, good. If not, you've missed the mark somewhere.

Go back and rewrite was the main point of the article actually is (based on the notes for the body) or rewrite the points for the body to support the point you want to make.

By this time, you should have enough ideas to at least get something reasonable down on paper.

Then decide which angle you want to take with the article. Given that it's marketing we're talking about here, you'll want to work out which emotion you're targetting. Then find a way to elicit that. [Note: This is not necessarily the "push the pain button" here. It could be. But it doesn't have to be.]

Then answer the following question: "Why should my reader care? Why would they want to read the next paragraph? Does my first sentence give it all up like a drunk debutante or is there a flash of lace underwear to the side of the cleavage but no touchy-touchy?

Does that help? Or have I been watching too many late-night commercials this evening?

TheNightOwl

I love this!

"If you had read Hypnotic Writing by Joe Vitale, you wouldn't be stuck on how to write a killer opening."

"If you knew the secrets of Miracle Acne Cure, you wouldn't be staring at the big zit in the mirror"

Looks like it can be applied to IM stuff to. In fact, I have written it out on a sticky and stuck it inside my copy of Hypnotic Writing. I think I will be using that a lot. Thanks eibhlin!

Lee

Copywriters keep a swipe file filled with great sales copy that they can adapt to their own needs. It works for article writing, too. Find articles with great openings, and adapt the style and tone to your own articles.

And here's a trick I learned from fiction writing...most writers begin the story (article) too early. Once you've written the article, go back and see if it still makes sense if you delete the first paragraph. The best opening is often in the second (or third) paragraph.