I’m not trying to do that today, by the way.
I just thought, you know, that words are powerful, and a lot of us make instant judgments, both good and bad, after just a sentence or two or reading. First impressions apply to blogs too.
So what are some opening sentences that might turn your readers away quickly?
- Today, I’ll be writing about the issue of abortion.
- My mom always told me honesty is the best policy, so it’s time for me to be honest: I’m Moses reincarnated, I parted the Red Sea, and now I have some things to share with you.
- Roll Tide!
- Three years ago, I awoke on the planet Zomor seated next to Ronald Reagan on a flying hippopotamus.
- You know, the Ku Klux Klan really has some interesting points.
- I is a writer.
- After two wonderful years of marriage to my lovely wife, I want to share with you my keys to wedded bliss. [Example]
- I don’t care what you say…I’m a 42-year-old woman, and I think Edward from Twilight is gorgeous.
- The Obamacare website is really the best user experience I’ve come across on the internet.
- I just met you through my blog, and this is crazy, but I know where you live, and I’ll kill you, maybe?
Those examples are stupid and not really funny, but you get the point.
So think about this stuff if you want to write on controversial topics. That’s the power of the internet: You can be a blathering, racist homophobe and publish your stupid opinions in minutes.
You’ll definitely draw attention, and you might get a lot of traffic. But you’re going to lose followers as well.
If you’re mentally prepared to deal with that, then go for it.
But that’s why I write a book blog. You think the whole e-reader versus traditional book subject is controversial? Write a post about abortion.