You’ve probably seen them. Charming, humble men and women who go out of their way to help others. People whose first and last names you might even remember. Authors who self-published an eBook, found a community of avid readers, and then spent the next several months writing a series of helpful, how-to guides for the newbie writer. Or perhaps you saw one of the many charming YouTube videos where an influencer or personality read a brief story and then offered tips on ways to improve your writing skills. These are some of the best-known intro videos for eBooks.
What if there was a way you could write an intro that would absolutely knock readers’ socks off? A way to capture their attention from the very first line and keep it through to the end? What if you could craft an intro that would make even the most reluctant reader interested in your eBook?
Let’s explore how you can write the perfect intro for your eBook.
The Need For A Killer Intro
According to HubSpot Blogs research, 68% of consumers buy something after reading an eBook intro. That’s a staggering number. It means that even a short, snappy intro can help consumers decide whether or not to purchase your book. And if they do decide to purchase your book, it means they were either very interested in your topic or in writing in general. Either way, you’ve got a winner.
But it’s not just about the stats. It’s about the art. The science. The technique. Let’s take a look at how to craft the perfect intro for your eBook.
Step One: The Hook
A hook is a line or an idea that draws the reader into the story. It’s a way of introducing yourself or your topic without boring the reader with endless details. But a hook is more than an interesting turn of phrase or a clever metaphor. It draws the reader in and makes them want to learn more. It’s the first line of your intro. And it should hook them right away. What is your hook?
Think of a time when you were researching or reading something and you came across a line or an idea that truly stood out. Something that made you curious, or interested, or provoked an emotion. That’s your hook. It could be a question, an interesting statistic, or a surprising turn of phrase. Whatever it may be, it should draw the reader in.
Step Two: The Prologue
Even before you begin your main story, in the prologue, you can use a hook to draw the reader in. This is where you do some establishing, setting the scene, and getting to know your reader. Remember: your goal is to entertain, inform, or provoke the reader into taking some kind of action. By bringing your reader on a little journey with you, from the very beginning, you can plant the seed for the story to come. In other words, this is where you lay the groundwork.
Step Three: The Body
Now, we come to the meat of the matter. The part of the story that you’ll actually want to tell. Your main story. The part that will keep the reader engaged and coming back for more. To keep the reader engaged, you’ll need to keep the hook, but you’ll also need to expand on it. Give more information about your topic. Fill in the details of the mystery, or puzzle, that you’re setting up. Or create a sense of anticipation, excitement, or curiosity.
Every story has a body—a sequence of events that bring the reader from the beginning to the end. This is where you’ll put the meat of your story. The stuff that will keep them reading. This is where you’ll establish your characters and the setting. Introduce the problems that your characters are facing. And don’t worry about being concise. Write as much as you need to to tell the story effectively. But keep the focus on your characters and the story.
Step Four: The Conclusion
Your story should come to an exciting or interesting conclusion, and you should use the last few lines of your intro to bring the reader back to the present, and into the palms of your marketing team. This is where you remind them why they should be interested in your work. Or it could be a call to action, a strong suggestion to visit your website, or to buy your book. Whatever it may be, it should leave the reader with a sense of “now what?” So, when you’re writing your conclusion, remember to leave your reader wanting more. This is your last line, the line that will leave an impression on your reader. It should pull them back in for another reading.
Hopefully, this post gave you some good ideas about the perfect intro for your eBook. If you found it helpful, don’t hesitate to share it with your writer friends or fellow marketers. And if you have some tips or tricks for creating a killer intro for your story, please feel free to leave us a comment below! We’d love to hear them.