How to write a blog intro that hooks readers every time

Have you ever spent hours, or even days, perfecting a blog post, only to watch it get completely ignored? You're not alone. It's a tough truth, but even the most amazing content can fail if the first few sentences don't grab the reader. Research shows that about a fifth of your audience will give you less than two minutes of their time.

That's not a lot of time to make your case. The issue is that most advice on writing intros is vague. On average, only 20% of your text actually gets read, so that intro is your one chance to convince the other 80% to keep scrolling.

While improving this skill is a huge boost, you don't have to do it all yourself. AI tools like the eesel AI blog writer can help with the process, generating entire blog posts with strong introductions built right in.

In this guide, we'll get into what a blog intro should do, its key parts, five formulas you can start using now, and the common slip-ups that send readers away.

What is a blog intro's real job?

Think of your introduction as a handshake with the reader. It's a promise. It quickly sets the stage for what they're about to get, and if you deliver, they'll stick around. A great intro isn't just a warm-up; it has three big jobs to do in the first 15 seconds.

1. Hook the reader: This is your opening line. You have to grab their attention right away with something interesting. A surprising fact, a relatable story, or a question that makes them think can all do the trick. You need to give them a reason to stop scrolling.
2. Set clear expectations: Nobody likes clickbait. Your intro should tell the reader exactly what they're going to learn and why they should care. This builds trust and shows you value their time.
3. Establish authority: You need to show that you understand their problem and have a real solution. This isn't about showing off; it's about demonstrating empathy and competence so they trust you can help them.

A weak intro can be a significant obstacle. If the introduction fails to engage, the quality of the remaining article may go unnoticed by many readers.

Key ingredients for an irresistible blog intro

How do you pull off an intro that actually works? It boils down to a few key components that, when you put them together, give someone a good reason to keep reading. Let's break them down.

<quote text="I typically I just give a long winded answer to the following question - what is this article / blog post about?

Here is an example -

Title - Best Places to Visit in the UK

The UK is a wonderful country with lots of interesting places to visit. When visiting the UK, it is highly recommend that you do not just stay in London and take some time away from the big city to visit some historic places. Here are a few suggestions as to where you can go -

…..then some subheading and paragraphs about each place.

Vast majority of my articles following this type of structure. Think, what are you trying to do? Hype up the place? Give advice? State it in your intro." sourceIcon="https://www.iconpacks.net/icons/2/free-reddit-logo-icon-2436-thumb.png" sourceName="Reddit" sourceLink="https://www.reddit.com/r/Blogging/comments/vp9b2h/comment/ielautg/">

• A compelling hook: This is your first sentence, and it needs to make an impact. It could be a surprising stat, a statement that challenges common knowledge, or a short, relatable story that gets the reader nodding along.
• The problem or pain point: Show the reader you understand their struggle. State the problem they're dealing with in a way that feels familiar. When you can describe their challenge better than they can, you create an instant connection.
• The promise of a solution: After you've outlined the problem, offer a bit of hope. Hint at the solution or the value they'll get from your article. This creates a sense of curiosity that they'll want to satisfy by reading more.
• A human touch: People connect with other people, not with faceless text. A conversational tone or a quick personal anecdote can build a connection and make your content feel more genuine.
• Clarity and direction: End your intro with a clear signpost. Let the reader know what's coming up in the post. This simple transition helps guide them smoothly into the main content.

Here’s a quick table to keep handy:

5 proven formulas for writing a blog intro

Staring at a blank screen can be challenging. Instead of trying to come up with something new from scratch every time, you can lean on proven copywriting formulas to build your intros. Here are five of the most effective ones.

The PAS formula

This one is a classic for a good reason. It’s straightforward, direct, and effective at tapping into a reader's feelings.

• Problem: Start by clearly stating a problem your reader has. Be specific and make it relatable.
• Agitate: Now, you dig in a little. Don't just mention the problem; talk about the frustration, annoyance, or pain it causes. As copywriting experts say, you need to "pour salt onto the wound" to make the solution feel urgent.
• Solve: Finally, introduce your article as the answer. Position your content as the relief they've been looking for.

Use a storytelling hook

We're all wired for stories. Kicking things off with a short, relevant anecdote can create an immediate emotional connection and make your main point stick.

Start with a personal story or a relatable situation that highlights the problem you're about to solve. Then, tie the lesson from that story directly to your blog post's topic. It helps make abstract ideas feel more tangible and real.

The contrarian view: A bold strategy

Sometimes, the best way to get noticed is to go against the grain. This formula works by grabbing the reader with a statement that challenges a common belief.

Open with a bold claim that contradicts what everyone else in your industry is saying. For instance, "Everyone says you need to post on social media every day. Here's why that might not be the best strategy." Then, promise to share the truth that others are missing.

Use a startling statistic

A surprising number can instantly make your topic feel more important. The trick is to find a statistic that is both shocking and directly relevant to your reader.

Start with a little-known fact or a powerful statistic that makes the reader pause. Then, connect that data point to their own situation to show them why they need to pay attention to what you have to say.

The direct question approach

Asking a question is a simple way to start a conversation and draw the reader into your content.

Ask a question that gets right to a pain point or a goal your reader has. This makes them think about their own situation, turning them from a passive observer into an active participant. Just make sure it’s a question they can’t just answer with a simple "yes" or "no."

Using the eesel AI blog writer for your intro

Even with these formulas, writing a great intro for every post requires time and creativity, which can become a bottleneck in a content schedule.

This is where a tool like the eesel AI blog writer can be a huge help. Instead of a rough draft, it generates a complete, publish-ready blog post from a keyword, including a compelling introduction designed to engage readers.

The difference lies in its use of context.

• Brand-aware: The eesel AI blog writer checks out your website to understand your brand, tone, and products. This means it writes in a voice that sounds like your team and can naturally weave in product mentions that don't feel tacked on.
• Automatic asset generation: It does more than just write. It creates and embeds AI-generated images, infographics, and relevant YouTube videos right into the post. Since articles with images get up to 94% more views, this is a significant feature.
• Optimized for SEO and AEO: The content is built for traditional search engines (SEO) and for new Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), helping you show up in Google's AI Overviews and other AI-powered search results.
• Social Proof: To make the content more believable, it finds and includes real quotes from Reddit discussions, grounding your post in what real people are talking about.

We used this tool to grow our blog from 700 to 750,000 impressions per day in just three months. The tool is available to try for free, allowing users to generate a post and evaluate the quality.

3 common mistakes to avoid in blog intros

Knowing what to do is great, but knowing what not to do can save you from losing readers before they even get started. Here are three common intro mistakes to steer clear of.

• Mistake 1: The "high school essay" opening. You know the one: "In today's fast-paced digital world..." These vague, overused phrases are a red flag for generic content. Get to the point.
• Mistake 2: Burying the lede. Your readers are busy. Don't make them read three paragraphs of fluff before you give them something useful. Tell them what they’re going to get right from the start.
• Mistake 3: Using rhetorical questions with obvious answers. Stay away from lazy questions like, "Do you want more customers?" for a post about getting customers. It's filler, it doesn't add any value, and it can sound a bit patronizing.

For a deeper dive into structuring your introductions, the SPEAR framework offers another excellent model. The video below breaks down how to apply it for maximum impact.

This video explains the SPEAR framework and how to apply it for the perfect blog post introduction.

Final tips for writing your blog intro

Your blog post's introduction isn't just a formality; it's a critical part of your content. Its job is to hook, promise, and guide the reader. Getting it right can seriously improve your engagement and keep people from leaving your site.

By using proven formulas and avoiding common pitfalls, you can write intros that grab attention and don't let go. It's the first, and most critical, step in turning a random visitor into a reader.

To start publishing content with effective introductions, you can generate your first blog post for free with the eesel AI blog writer and see how it works.