Written by Market My Market’s content team with contributions from Kimberly Osborn, Tanner Mowery, and Katie McLoughlin
You have exactly two sentences to convince someone your content is worth reading. Miss that moment, and they’re gone. Readers scroll through dozens of search results, deciding in split seconds whether to stay or move on. The difference between a reader who engages and one who clicks away often comes down to whether those first few words made them feel understood, intrigued, or compelled to keep going.
At Market My Market, our content team has spent years perfecting the art of those critical first impressions. We’ve moved beyond generic openings that could apply to any topic and instead focus on creating introductions that speak directly to the reader’s situation, making them think, “This is exactly what I needed to find.” Through strategic storytelling, relatability, and a deep understanding of what drives engagement, we’ve developed an approach that turns casual browsers into invested readers who stick around until the very last word.
Kimberly Osborn — Content Writer
When we sit down to craft an introduction, we’re thinking about the reader scrolling through dozens of search results, deciding in a split second whether to keep reading or move on. Because of this, the first sentence needs to either surprise, relate, or intrigue, while the second one gives just enough context to make the reader think, “Okay, I need to know more about this.” It’s a delicate balance between being catchy and being clear. At MMM, we’ve found that the most effective openings often start with a question that echoes what the reader is already thinking. This could be a bold statement that challenges conventional thinking or a realistic scenario that makes an abstract topic suddenly feel personal.
What’s especially interesting is that while we have techniques and patterns we return to, the best introductions never feel formulaic. Instead, we want them to feel like the start of a conversation. That’s why our team has moved away from the outdated “did you know” or “in today’s world” openings that feel like they could belong in any generic piece of content. Rather, we focus on specificity and real-world situations. The magic happens when a reader decides to continue through the remainder of the article because of the intro. That’s when we know we’ve done our job: we haven’t just hooked them, but made them feel seen.
Tanner Mowery — Content Writer
When you open your phone, laptop, iPad, or whatever other six hundred devices you could choose from, and you search for literally anything, you’re thrown headfirst into a sea of options. There’s a blog here, an infographic there, and a hologram that will download the information straight into your brain just behind that. In a world of limitless choices, readers have had to adapt. This means, essentially, that you have just about two sentences to hook them before they are off to something else better, newer, and shinier.
As my fellow writers have already noted, at MMM, we like to start our content with the question people are searching for. Based on meticulous research, we pinpoint what folks in specific areas are looking for and then craft our content entirely around that. From there, our first sentences have the task of answering that question and also relating to the reader. Our content ideally says, “we’ve been there and this is what we did to get through it.” This combination, right in the introduction, is a surefire way to keep readers hooked and not immediately scrolling away in search of something more fetching.
Katie McLoughlin — Content Specialist
As writers, we want our clients’ content to stand out from their competition, and with storybranding, we can make content feel more human and less generic. An introduction is the perfect opportunity to pull readers in and make them feel like our clients truly understand them. For example, instead of focusing on a law firm’s accolades in an intro, we shift the attention to the reader’s situation, how the law firm can provide a solution, and why the reader can trust them.
As someone who both consumes content and writes it, I understand the importance of capturing attention and how quickly a reader can grow disinterested and click away. When I tackle the first two sentences of an intro, I often put myself into the reader’s shoes and think about what would make me take action and contact our clients. For a car accident lawyer, this may be relating to the reader’s frustration and confusion. For a cosmetic dentist, I may relate to the reader by asking if they wish they could change their smile but don’t know where to start. This approach allows us to meet readers where they are and immediately begin building a meaningful connection.
Capture Attention With Personalized Content from Market My Market
In a digital landscape where attention spans are measured in seconds, the opening lines of a blog or page can make or break your content’s success. Our experienced content team has spent years researching and perfecting the craft of creating compelling introductions that draw readers in and keep them engaged from the first word. We understand how to make every piece of content count, bringing the same high level of dedication to every project we take on.
Ready to transform your content strategy with writing that truly connects with your audience and aligns with your brand? Contact us today to schedule a discovery Zoom call and learn how we can help you create content that stands out and drives results.