Yesterday I mentioned again the importance of hooking readers to compel them to read your work. But how do you do it?
If you read this post, you know the only way anyone will read your work is if you make them. The onus is on you.
Here’s a list of 10 different ways to hook readers. These work at the beginning of a piece or anyplace after:
1. A Compelling Topic
Make sure your topic is clear, and make it a topic that a lot of people are hungry to know more about.
2. A Grabber Headline
A headline can do a lot. It can introduce your subject, create intrigue, or entertain. Whatever it is, it’s your best opportunity to flag down a reader and see if they’ll stay with you.
3. Something Startling
Something that shocks readers will get their attention and could make them want to read more.
4. Something Intriguing
Intrigue is a great way to get people in the door. Make them wonder what’s up. Create a mystery.
5. A list
People love lists. They want to know what the items are. You’re on number 5 of this list. Don’t you want to see the rest? That’s not by accident.
6. A Question
Ask a question, but don’t answer it right away. People will be dying to know the answer.
7. Suspense
Create a nail-biter, a cliffhanger, and keep them on the edge of their seat. They’ll be dying to know how it turns out.
8. Create Anticipation
Just dangling something interesting, and then promising to reveal it soon can hook a reader.
9. Make an Emotional Connection
Readers are empathetic. If you create an emotional situation with people or characters they care about, they’ll need to know what happens.
10. Have a Secret
Everybody loves a secret, and they’ll especially love yours if you have the answer. They’ll stick with you if they believe you’l give it to them.
11. Promise Something Ominous
Promising something coming that’s scary, stressful, or ominous, will make readers want to stick around to see. It’s like ambulance chasing—we have to look.
Okay, now hook ’em!
Great list, and I enjoyed the photo at the top of the post.
Can we use some or all in a short/longer video?