Have you ever wondered how to write an article introduction that will immediately capture your audience’s interest?

Your introduction sets up the central idea of the entire article. It sets the mood and the focus of your readers to a particular agenda. The introduction should be catchy, amusing, or thought-provoking. No matter what style you use it must grab the interest of the audience. And, it must capture the attention of the search engines.

 Here Are the Top 10 Article Introduction Mistakes Most Article Marketers Make…

1. Forgetting your target market – Every thing you write (from the headline all the way to the bio box) should be written to the level of your target audience’s understanding.

How to fix: Complete a character sketch and have it next to you as you write your article. This way, you stay focused on your reader at all times.

2. Failing to engage readers – The introduction part of your article is very important. If the introduction is impressive enough, it will bind the reader to go through the complete article. If it is not impressive, the reader will regret that they even started to read your article and they will move on quickly.

How to fix:

  • Provoke the reader’s interest by making an unusual statement.
  • Invite the reader to take sides by making a controversial statement.
  • Heighten the drama of an event or incident to intensify its appeal.

3. Failing to make an instant connection – When possible reveal your personal story. When you become transparent and show your emotional and physical scars within your articles – you become more believable. Readers will begin to connect with you – as they will realize that you understand their innermost feelings and you know what their needs are. People listen to people they trust.

How to fix: Check out my online article marketing course at http://www.onlinearticlemarketingcourse.com/special where I show you how to design your story.

4. Add too many details within your story – Yes, stories help people connect with us. It helps them remember the messages you were trying to get across. But, your story can become watered down when you add so many unnecessary details that people don’t care about.

How to fix:  Get to the point – and get to it fast!

5. Forgetting the point of the article introduction – Remember, the introduction is supposed to open the discussion. So why is article marketers adding a conclusion within the introduction.

How to fix:  Peak your readers’ curiosity so they read through the complete article. Don’t give away the ending too fast.

6. Overstuffing the article introduction with words to try to impress the reader. If you fail to write in a conversational matter and capture the essence – you will create a huge disconnect. Instead of people thinking you’re a thought leader, they’ll think you’re all fluff!

How to fix: Use appropriate words. Do not over stuff it with complicated wording. Choose the wording that your readers will actually understand. If you keep your article simple and provide great value, you will hold your readers’ attention.

7. Forgetting to add your keywords – You do your articles found on top of the search engines so you can get more website traffic, don’t you? That is one of the reasons why you’re writing and submitting articles, isn’t it

How to fix: If you can, start your article off with your keywords. If you are not able to, don’t sweat it. Just add your keywords within the first article.

8. Dating your articles – Many article marketers like to start their articles with a startling fact or statistic, which is an excellent idea. You want to shock your readers. But they add the date the research came out. I’ve even seen an article with facts from 10 years ago!

How to fix: Make your articles evergreen. Remove the dates!

9. Making it all about you – Yes, you want to add credibility elements to your article. But many article marketers think that they have to start the article by mentioning all of their achievements. No one cares about how many books you have written. Or, how many years of experience you have. And, they don’t care about every award you have received from Tom, Dick and Harry. They care more on how you can help them.

How to fix: Remember that the article is for and about your readers. It’s not all about YOU! Your article introduction should explain “what’s in it for me – the reader and why should I care?”

10. Failing to get in tune with your prospects pains, fears, dreams and wants from the get-go. These are powerful emotions that will help you achieve your article writing and article marketing goals.

How to fix: Do research on psychological triggers. I suggest reading Joseph Sugarman’s book, “Triggers” and Joe Vitale’s book, “Hypnotic Writing.” And, of course you should check out my online article writing course which has a complete section on psychological triggers.

Now, grab my complete, 7 module online article writing course at a 60% discount at:

http://www.onlinearticlewritingcourse.com/special