My Zero Fluff Intro Formula Is Working Like Gangbusters On My 4 Websites

How I write intros that get top ranking on Google

I write introductions on my portfolio of websites differently than I write them on any other platform.

Over the last two years, I’ve experimented with many different styles of introductions:

• Personal introductions
• Long, fluffy introductions
• AI-written introductions
• Brainy introductions
• Story introductions
• And more

After testing multiple types of introductions across multiple websites, I’ve landed on an intro formula that is working like gangbusters for me.

In this article, I’m going to share with you my exact formula for writing introductions that get top rankings on Google.

Who Ya Gonna Call? Gangbusters!

When I say that my intros are working like gangbusters, I mean they reduce bounce rate, increase read time, and make me more money.

Of course, there’s more to high-ranking articles than writing introductions.

I can’t say that my introductions are solely responsible for all of my number one rankings on Google.

However, they are definitely a piece of the puzzle.

I’m so confident in my introduction formula, that when I see competing websites with poor introductions, I know that (all other things being equal) I have a good shot of beating them in search results.

My Zero Fluff Intro Formula

When you finally hear my introduction formula, you might feel disappointed. You might think, “Is that all?” Yes, that’s my disclaimer.

I’m about to share how I introduce articles on self-hosted websites.

Here is my formula:

1–2 sentences + 1 topic + repeat the keyword + summarize the answer + transition.

My entire introduction formula usually takes three to four very short paragraphs. Calling them “paragraphs” is technically true but also observably a stretch.

For example, the first, second, and fourth “paragraphs” are almost always one short sentence long. The third paragraph is the longest. That’s where I give the complete answer to the keyword topic or question.

Don’t worry, I’m going to show you a few example introductions in a moment.

It may seem complicated now but, once you read them, I think everything will make perfect sense.

Zero Fluff Intro Formula Examples

Let’s look at some examples.

Don’t forget to pay attention to how the underlying structure of the four short paragraphs meets the purpose of each line.

I’ve changed the subjects and made up some of the data, but these are good examples of how I actually write introductions.

Example 1: Are Marie Biscuits Good for Dogs?

Dogs seem to love Marie biscuits. My dogs devour them.

But are Marie biscuits good for dogs?

Marie biscuits are not good for dogs. They are safe for dogs to eat occasionally but they offer little nutritional value. The main ingredient in Marie Gold biscuits is refined flour. They do not provide the recommended daily nutrients or fat for healthy dogs.

In this article, I’ll cover everything you need to know about, “Are Marie biscuits good for dogs?”

Example 2: Best Flamethrower for Snow Removal

If you live in a blisteringly cold part of the world, you may have wondered, What’s the best flamethrower for snow removal?

The best flamethrower for snow removal is the Bare Blaster Propane Torch. This flamethrower is lightweight, easy to maneuver, and provides a reach of 31 inches. You can blast away a 3X5 section of snow or ice in 3 minutes.

Keep reading to learn all the reasons why the Bare Blaster is the best flamethrower for snow and ice removal.

How the Zero Fluff Intro Formula Works

Now I want to break down each part of the formula.

Believe it or not, the first part of my introduction is what I spent the most time testing.

When I started blogging seriously over 2 years ago, my introductions were typically a few paragraphs long.

I’d introduce the topic, say how I was personally involved in the topic, and include some sort of transition into the body of the article.

I still try to accomplish all of that in my Zero Fluff Formula.

The first sentence is meant to literally introduce the topic, mention my keyword, and get directly to the summary answer.

The goal of each one of my websites is to build organic traffic.

I do that by writing articles based on topics and questions people search in Google. I know that when people come to my website, they want answers as soon as possible.

My main purpose with the first sentence of my introduction is to establish that the reader is in the right place and then get out of the way.

If someone came to my website to learn the pinky size of Channing Tatum, I’m not going to bore them with five paragraphs about how he grew up or his life as a male stripper.

That might all be exciting information, but it doesn’t tell us his pinky size.

I’m much more likely to say something like, “I’ve always wondered about Channing Tatum’s pinky size.”

That lets the reader know they are at the right place.

As you saw in my examples, I’m going to then repeat the exact keyword search phrase, followed by the complete answer to the search query.

I give the complete answer upfront because I know that’s why the reader is there. I want the reader to know that this is going to be a highly valuable article that answers everything they want to know about the topic.

Some bloggers save this information for later in the article, or even at the end.

I might do that on other platforms, but I never do it on my self-hosted websites. I don’t do it because, if readers don’t immediately get what they want, they might click off of my website and go somewhere else.

I’m going to go into more detail about my topic for the rest of the article.

Upfront, I simply summarize the answer as concisely and completely as possible. Google seems to like this approach.

Immediately after the summary answer, I write a one-line transition sentence. This sentence is meant to tease the reader. I want the reader to continue reading the rest of the article.

I do all of this (the complete formula) before the first subheading in my articles. In newspaper parlance, it’s what I include “above the fold.”

Summary of Takeaways

If you want to try out this Zero Fluff Introduction Formula on your own websites, here are some takeaways:

• Eliminate all fluff from your introduction
• Immediately mention the topic/keyword in the first sentence
• Try to make your first sentence one single line on a desktop
• It’s better to be boring than irrelevant
• Repeat the keyword topic or phrase as a question immediately after the first sentence (if applicable)
• Give a complete summary answer to the topic or keyword (cram as much into one short paragraph as possible)
• Include a one-line, one-sentence transition into the rest of the article

Final Thoughts

I don’t use this introduction formula anywhere else except on my websites. On other online platforms, I use short anecdotes, startling statements, statistics, and anything else I think might get a reader’s attention.

These longer methods don’t seem to work as well for my niche websites.

Using my Zero Fluff Formula, I’ve been able to consistently rank new websites high in Google search.

Browse my “playlist” of over 100 articles on writing and making money