Why Your First Two Lines Matter More Than You Think
Let’s be honest: most content doesn’t get seen because the intro simply isn’t strong enough.
Your audience is scrolling, tapping, swiping, clicking — and in that chaotic sea of content, your first two lines decide whether they stop and give you their attention… or keep moving.
It sounds brutal, but it’s the truth.
You could have the most insightful blog post, the most polished video, or the most value-packed carousel on the internet. But if your opening line doesn’t hook, it’s over before it even began.
And yet, creators — even seasoned marketers — still spend 95% of their time crafting the middle and end of their content… and barely a minute thinking about the intro.
I used to be one of them.
Until I had a realization that changed the way I create:
If I can win the first two lines, I’ve won their attention. And once I have their attention, everything else becomes easier.
It’s not just about writing something clever — it’s about sparking curiosity, building trust, and showing the reader that this is exactly what they’re looking for.
In this blog post, I’ll break down why your intro matters so much, what makes a good one, and share two AI prompts I personally use to craft intros that keep people watching, reading, and engaging.
The Harsh Truth: Attention Is Won (or Lost) in the First Few Seconds
Let’s set the scene.
Your audience is busy. Distracted. Bombarded by content. They’re not deciding whether your piece is good — they’re deciding if it’s worth their time.
So if your first line doesn’t spark curiosity, the scroll wins.
If your intro doesn’t make them feel seen, the tab gets closed.
That’s the harsh reality of modern content.
And it’s why weak openings are the #1 silent killer of great content.
Why Most Creators Get This Wrong
The mistake? Most people treat the intro as an afterthought. They focus on the value in the middle and leave the hook to “figure itself out.”
But your intro isn’t just the start — it’s the gatekeeper to the rest of your message.
If you want your content to actually be read or watched, the first few lines need to:
Grab attention
Create curiosity
Build immediate relevance
Show empathy or insight
Signal that it’s worth continuing
Once your audience feels like you get them — and that your content will help them — they lean in.
But crafting an intro like that consistently is hard. So here’s where AI can help.
Two AI Prompts That Make Writing Killer Intros Easier
Over the past year, I’ve started using two specific AI prompts to write stronger hooks and intros — and the results have been game-changing.
Whether you’re writing a blog post, YouTube script, social post, or newsletter, these will help your content grab attention from the very first line.
1. The Curiosity Injector Prompt
Use this when your intro feels flat, obvious, or a little too safe.
This prompt rewrites the first 1–2 lines of your content using Curiosity Gap Theory — a psychological approach that teases just enough to make people want to know more, without giving away the punchline.
It’s like starting a story mid-scene. You leave them wondering: What happens next?
Here’s how to use it:
“Hi ChatGPT — I’m a content creator writing for [insert your audience].
Here’s a piece of content I’ve written:
[Insert your content here]
Please rewrite the first 1–2 lines using the Curiosity Gap Theory — to make people want to keep reading, without giving everything away.”
When to use it:
Blog posts
Social captions
Email intros
Video hooks
2. The SPEAR Intro Prompt
If you want an intro that builds trust and connection while still being clear and engaging, this one’s for you.
It uses the SPEAR Framework — a structured way to introduce your content that hits five key psychological notes:
S – Search Intent (what the reader is looking for)
P – Pain Points (what problem they’re facing)
E – Expertise (why they should listen to you)
A – Audience Fit (why this is relevant to them)
R – Rapport (relatability and tone)
It’s ideal when you need to warm up the reader and show them, “Hey — this is for you, and I can help.”
Here’s the prompt:
“Hi ChatGPT — I’m a [insert role/business] in the [insert niche] niche, creating content for [insert audience].
The topic is: [insert your topic].
Please write a short, compelling introduction using the SPEAR framework:
S – Search/User Intent
P – Pain Points
E – Expertise
A – Audience Alignment
R – Rapport and Relatability”
When to use it:
Long-form blog posts
YouTube video intros
Webinars or online course intros
Email newsletters
Closing Thoughts: Great Content Doesn’t Matter If No One Sees It
Creating great content isn’t just about what you say — it’s about how you start.
Your first two lines are your first impression. Your best chance to grab attention. Your moment to earn the next few seconds of their time.
So treat those lines with the care they deserve.
Use the tools above. Test your intros. Practice your hooks. Don’t leave your best work unseen just because the opening didn’t land.
Because when you nail the beginning, your audience sticks around for everything that comes next.
