I’ve finally settled on the opening line for my new book.
It took quite a while, which is much of the point of this blog:
- How to be heard above the noise and make a mark with your messaging.
.
That requires the Holy Trinity of Compelling Communication.
So, on to that sacred trio.
(The opening line of said new book, Compelling Communication, will be revealed at the end of this blog!)
.
Titles
Think about what you do when you visit a bookshop, or go to a conference.
You tend to scan the titles of what’s around to see what you fancy taking in.
Which is a curiosity of communication:
Titles are often thought about last, whether with a talk, or report, or a book...
When, in fact, they should be settled first.
That way, you have a clear narrative set out from the start, which ensures focus and saves work.
It also tells you whether you've got something worth communicating about...
Because you can tell in an instant, with no more than a handful of words, if a title works.
.
How? Well, this is the way to create a top title.
It should interest, inform, and intrigue:
- Interest means grabbing the eye. Remember, you're up against competition and have to work to deserve attention.
- Inform means the title should give a clear sense of what your content is about.
- Intrigue means you should lure a potential reader, listener or viewer into finding out more.
.
For example, think about the title of this blog, or my new book.
Or even a classic novel, like Pride and Prejudice.
Do they meet the test of those three letter Is?
.
Opening lines
So, imagine you’ve picked up a book because you like its title.
What do you do next?
Apart from flicking to the back, to confirm what it’s all about…
You have a look at the first page.
And immediately find out whether it grabs you right from the beginning.
.
Again, remember you’re in a cut throat competition for attention.
Does your opening line do what it should? Which is:
- Expand on your story, as set out in the title.
- Give a sense of your character or authority as the author.
- Make a reader want to find out more.
For example, back to the classic Pride and Prejudice:
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.
.
Does that fulfil the three tests of a great opening line?
I should say so!
.
Editing
Don’t groan. I know it sounds dull, but editing is critical, hence its place in the Holy Trinity.
A point I hope will be reinforced by my struggles with the opening line for Compelling Communication:
.
I started with…
- A mastery of good communication skills can be a great help in achieving your professional, as well as personal, goals in life.
Then moved onto…
- If you want to succeed in life, whether professionally or personally, you need to be a great communicator.
Before finally, deciding upon…
- Communication is nothing less than a secret superpower for success.
.
Which, I hope you will agree, is a whole lot better than the first two versions.
And that is the value of editing.
(The book is due out in May, by the way!)
.
So, in summary, that’s the Holy Trio of Compelling Communication:
Never forget the importance of a terrific title, a striking start, and putting effort into the editing.
.
By the way (advert alert!), if you'd like to learn all the skills you need for truly compelling communication, a new run of my University of Cambridge course begins at the end of January.
You can find out more details here.
