1. Don’t Write The Introduction First
Yes that’s right, finish the content first. You can create a much more enticing introduction if you know exactly what your content is. Sometimes you may write the introduction and instead of letting content flow creatively, you write content tailored to an introduction that most of the time won’t be as interesting.

2. Ask A Good Question
You might have heard this before but most say a “yes” or “no” will do the trick. Why strive for mediocrity? Push further and develop questions that require a real response that would require a full sentence or more. Not only will this be more likely to hook readers, it will also push people to become active on the site with comments, voting, etc.

3. Start With A Shocker
Shocking facts are always a good way to start. Did you know that on any given night in America there is anywhere from 700,000 to 2 million hobos sleeping on the street? Not only does this spark a reaction from the reader, but it let’s them know what they are in store for if they continue to read.

4. Start With A Good Quote
Whether it be controversial, factual, or comical, a quote can bring a sense of authenticity to a piece of content. The Internet is full of information and when people take the time to insert legitimate quotes people realize that your content must also be informative. Just make sure you state your source, and that the quote is relevant.

5. Open With A Problem / Dilemma
This is a great way to touch base with your users. Make sure to present both side’s viewpoints and encourage feedback. An introduction like this is more uncommon and more likely to catch users off guard which can be used to your benefit.

6. Ask yourself “what will people first think about this?”
Identify with what your reader is looking for and address the possible negative viewpoints on a piece. Take everyone into account and continue to lead them into your ideas. Readers are much more likely to continue reading if they feel like the content somehow pertains to them. When you learn how to do this, you will be unstoppable.

The Three Golden Rules:
1) Avoid the dictionary introduction. Its bland, boring, and just plain lame. You can do better!
2) It should hook readers in somehow and promise them whats to come.
3) Be brief. People spend a lot of time on the Internet sifting through huge amounts of content and if your introduction is a page in itself guess what they are most likely going to do?