5 Real-Life Ledes That Kinda Work (and How They Could Be Better)

mlns='> The beginning is a very good place to start. [View Message in Browser]( / [Add Us to Safe Sender List]( [Content Marketing Institute]( [Content Marketing Institute]( Daily News and Alert 4.18.24 Connect with CMI Hi there, What’s the surest way to squander the promise of a click-worthy headline? Follow it with a pointless, long-winded, or blandly forgettable lede. A strong lede gives your audience clear, compelling reasons to engage with your content instead of clicking away to explore someone else’s. Why waste your best opportunity to spark a connection and fuel their desire to learn more? Can’t tell if your ledes have what it takes? [Today’s article]( will show you what works, what doesn’t, and what you can do instead. [Give me a shout]( if you have additional tips to share.  Jodi Harris Director of Editorial & Content Strategy Content Marketing Institute [Share your feedback](mailto:jodi.harris@informa.com?subject=CMI%20content%20feedback&elqTrackId=C78334B47849D341D3EB845595B6607C) [5 Real-Life Ledes That Kinda Work (and How They Could Be Better)]( Next to the headline, the lede is everything. It must complete many tasks — hook the reader, indicate the subject matter, set the tone, etc. To help your intros live up to those weighty responsibilities, read on for real-life critiques. [Read more](  A Word From One of Our Sponsors Today's Webinar: Unlocking Marketing Efficiencies with Gen AI Marketers spend an average of 42 hours a week on communication tasks alone. That’s 20% more than the average worker. They also spend more time in meetings, managing chat messages, and simply writing than most teams. Join Lena Walter, CMO of Grammarly, and Libby Rodney, CSO of The Harris Poll, for a webinar on April 18th at 10 a.m. PDT to learn how to boost marketing performance with AI by cutting communication overload and leveraging its potential. [Register today »](  A Word From CMI Next Week: MasterTHIS Data Storytelling In today's data-driven marketing landscape, understanding the human element in data storytelling is as crucial as interpreting analytics. Join us Thursday, April 25, at 1 p.m. for MasterTHIS: Data Storytelling, where our experts will dive into the intersection of neuroscience and marketing impact. You'll gain practical tips on effective data visualization and leveraging human triggers to improve outcomes. [Register for free »](  To change your email preferences or unsubscribe, visit our [preference center.]( Copyright © 2024 Informa Connect, All rights reserved Content Marketing Institute, an Informa Connect brand 605 3rd Ave | New York | NY 10158 [Terms of Service]( | [Privacy Statement]( [informa tech]