How to Write a Start Here Page

Do you know what a start here page is and why you need one for your blog? I’ll answer that for you in this article and even show you how to write an outstanding start here page step-by-step.

• What a start here page must do:
  • Grab attention
  • Make you credible
  • Immediately express the value you provide
  • Prove what you can do for your audience
  • Make you likeable
  • Convert readers to subscribers
  • Make you memorable

How to write a start here page

Step 1: Make a memorable first impression

The first line of your start here page must grab the attention of the reader immediately.

Usually, readers only look at this information so you have just a few seconds to grab their attention and keep them reading.

Start with a heading that makes them want to stay. Make them realize that they need your help.

Example: “Are you dreaming of working from home and spending more time with your family?” or “Have you tried to lose weight but find it impossible?”

Step 2: Create a human connection

Be personal and vulnerable. People like reading stories about others that they can relate to. Don’t just share all of your achievements, add in some struggles you’ve encountered, too.

The idea here is to relate to your ideal reader on a personal level. Think of yourself as talking to a friend.

Be sure to include a photo of yourself, preferably one of you with a smile.

Example: “Hi! I’m ___________ and I really enjoy ______________ but not ____________.”

Step 3: State who you are helping

Be very clear upfront on exactly who your target audience is. If you’re trying to help bloggers learn how to make money, then someone who’s looking for recipes will know they can’t find any on your site.

Also, be sure to state the purpose behind your blog. Are you writing to educate, inform, entertain, solve a problem?

This is the step that is answering your reader’s questions: “What’s in it for me? What can you do for me?”

Example: “You are probably here because you want to start a blog, but are so overwhelmed at all of the information that’s out there.”

Step 4: State how you are going to help

After focusing on who you are going to help, state exactly how you plan to help them. What can you do for them that others can’t?

Example: “I help new and established bloggers build and grow a successful money-making website.”

Step 5: Prove it

Here is where you get to show off your credibility. You need to share visible proof of your expertise.

You can do this by sharing testimonials from clients, social proof (followers), blog traffic stats, income reports, academic or corporate background.

Another great way to prove your credibility is to share logos from big sites that you’ve collaborated with on your page.

Example: “As seen on __________” or “For 10 years I’ve been helping small online businesses gain traffic to their website, helping them bring in more income.”

Step 6: Convert readers to subscribers

Now you’ve made a personal connection with your readers and you have proven you can help them solve their problems.

By now they are loving you, but chances are they may not remember to come back to your site.

Include a call to action to get them on your mailing list. You can do this by adding a button that leads to a landing page or an embedded form on your page.

Example: “I send free weekly updates and tips to my subscribers!”

Also add your social media links and ask readers to engage with you there. This will make you stand out as well as make you more memorable.

Example: “Connect with me on social media where you’ll find more great tips! I love hearing from you!”

Step 7: Show them your best content

Make it easy for readers to find what they’re looking for by adding a link to your most popular posts.

Example: “Readers also love these: (link to posts)!” or “You may also like these articles (link to posts)!”

My best tips:

• Use shorter paragraphs that contain only 2-3 sentences to make your page easy to scan. Most of the time readers only read the first 2 sentences of a paragraph before moving on.
• Speak like a knowledgeable friend, not a condescending jerk. You want your readers to like you and find you friendly. This helps them connect with you. If you speak like a know-it-all and talk down to them they may not stick around very long.
• Tell your story in a relatable way. Use words that trigger certain emotions in your readers to make them feel your story is also their story.