How to Grab Attention in the First 30 Seconds of Your Book

Is your book’s opening pulling readers in—or pushing them away?

In this episode of The Tarryn Reeves Show, we’re diving into the crucial first moments of your non-fiction book and uncovering the biggest mistakes that sabotage reader engagement (and what to do instead). Whether you’re an entrepreneur writing to grow your brand or a thought leader ready to share your story, your book’s first page matters more than you think.

You’ll learn:

• Why info-dumping your life story is a rookie mistake
• How to build trust before you start teaching
• The fastest way to lose a reader (and how to win them back)
• What your opening must include to position you as an authority
• Real examples from successful author openings that actually work

Plus, I’ll share practical writing tips you can use today to instantly improve your book’s intro and make sure it works for your business—not against it.

🎙️ Ready to turn browsers into buyers and craft a book that builds your brand? Let’s go!

Transcript

 Welcome to the Tarryn Reeves Show, where your journey to empowerment takes center stage. I'm your host, Tarryn Reevess, bestselling author and publishing expert. Together we'll dive into the hearts and minds of visionaries, disruptors, and trailblazing leaders To explore the most compelling and thought provoking ideas in life, business, and marketing.

Let's inspire, impact and ignite. This is the Tarryn Reevess Show. All righty, brilliant humans, welcome back with Storytelling Meets Strategy and your book becomes your biggest business card. Now, let me ask you something. Have you ever picked up a book? Probably one someone has raved about. Read the first page and thought, oh, dear Lord, make it stop.

Yep, we've all been there. And if you're an entrepreneur writing a nonfiction book to grow your brand, you cannot, must not for your reader to have that reaction because let's face it. First impressions matter, and in books, that first page is quite literally everything. So today we're diving into something that might sting a little, but in the best way possible.

Is your books opening, turning readers away? Are you unintentionally wrecking it before it even gets rolling? Don't worry. I've got you. We're going to cover the biggest mistakes that sabotage your opening and how to fix them, like the authority building boss that you are. Grab your pen, your tea, or your third coffee of the day, maybe even a little margarita, and let's get into it.

Alright, here's the deal. Your book's opening is like a sales pitch. It's your chance to say to the reader, Hey, I know something you don't, and if you keep reading, I'll change your life, your business, or the very least, your mindset. It sets the tone, the authority, the voice, and if you blow it, you risk losing them forever.

There's no second date. If the first one was a disaster, especially for entrepreneurs, this is your moment. That first chapter can be the bridge between a browser. And a buyer. So let's talk about what not to do First, we're gonna look at some common book opening mistakes and how to avoid them. Mistake number one, info dumping your life story.

You know, the type chapter one starts with, it was a crisp morning in 1984 when I was born in a small hospital. Stop. Unless you're Oprah, we don't need your full autobiography upfront. Instead, start with relevance. Start with transformation. Hook them with a moment that matters to the reader, not just to you.

Here's how you fix it. Ask yourself, what does my reader need to know right now to trust me and keep reading? Mistake number two, teaching before you are trusted. I see this all the time in nonfiction books by Entrepreneurs chapter one. Here's the five step framework that will change your life. Cool, but who are you?

Again? If your reader doesn't know, like and trust you, yet they're not ready for your brilliance, here's how you fix this mistake. Lead with empathy. Show them that you get their problem. Share a quick story that positions you as someone who's been in the trenches and come out alive, preferably with coffee stains and a killer lesson.

Mistake number three, starting with a cliche. Here's what these sound like. If you're anything like me, this book will change your life. I never imagined I'd be writing this. Ugh, yawn. Reader's eyes glaze over faster than a donut in a bakery window. Here's how you fix the cliche mistake. Surprise them. Use a powerful statement, a statistic, or a question that shakes them awake.

Here's an example. At 3:00 AM I was Googling how to fake your own death and move to The Bahamas. That's how bad my business burnout got. Now, something like that will get attention. Mistake number four, writing like a university thesis. Honestly, this is probably the most common one I see for entrepreneurs.

I. Listen, you are not being graded by a crusty professor in a brown cardigan. So drop the stiff tone you are writing to connect, not to impress. Here's how you fix the university. Humdrum. Write like you speak. If you'd say it in a keynote or to a client, you can write it in your book. Just clean up the ums and swearing, maybe just a little bit.

Mistake number five. Burying the promise. Too many authors hide the wire of their book behind fluff. If your reader doesn't know what they're going to get by page three, they're gonna bounce on out of there. Here's how you fix it. Make the promise bold and clear at the start. By the end of this book, you'll know how to insert specific result, even if you've insert problem or obstacle that the client is facing right now.

Let's talk about what makes a powerful opening. Now that we've unpacked the landmines, let's build something brilliant. Here's what a killer nonfiction book opening includes. Attention grabbing, hook, something bold, unexpected, emotional or funny, a relevant story or moment. One that positions you as the credible guide and creates connection.

A clear articulation of the problem. Help your reader feel seen. I know where you are and I've been there too. Here's how I can help. Number four, a powerful promise. Tell them what's coming and why it's worth them sticking around and continuing to read. And lastly. Give them a preview of the journey. Tease the transformation.

Something like, here's where we're headed together, is kind of the vibe that you wanna give. Let's look at a real world example. Breakdown from one of my authors, right? She opened her book like this. The day I almost burned my business to the ground. I was crying on my kitchen floor surrounded by half eating Toast Soldiers and sticky Post-it notes.

Now an opening like that we're in right? We're curious. She then shares a relatable story, positions herself as someone who got through it and clearly states. This book is for the business owner who looks successful on the outside, but feels like a hot mess behind the scenes. We're about to fix that. Bill and baby we're hooked.

Let me put that together. The opening of. This book, the day I almost burned my business to the ground, I was crying on my kitchen floor surrounded by half eating toe soldiers and sticky post-it notes. This book is for the business owner who looks successful on the outside, but feels like a hot mess behind the scenes.

We're about to fix that. So good, right? We're in. We want more, right? Practicality, because you all know by now that I love to give you some practical tips. These are some practical writing tips that you can use literally today. If you are writing or rewriting your book right now, this is what you wanna think about.

Write your opening last. Yep. Once you know what your book really says, your opening will be a hundred times stronger. Now, when I write, the way that I like to do it is I will do a very average opening and continue writing from there. What I will then do is jump back to the opening once I'm finished because then like I just said, it's going to be so much more stronger because now I know what my book.

It's really giving. The next tip is to read it out loud. If you stumble, it's clunky. If it sounds like you're trying too hard, chances are you probably needs adjustment. I want you to also ask for feedback, not from your mom, from someone who's your ideal reader and who will tell you the truth. Cut the fluff ruthlessly.

Less is more If you can say it in fewer words. Thanks for the love of God, please do it. Nobody is interested in your 400 long paragraph just to get one point across. Lastly, I want you to think about leading with transformation and not a timeline. The reader cares more about what's in it for them than your childhood pet's name, so if the information you're including is not relevant or interesting to your ideal reader, leave it out.

It's fluffy, right? Let's bring it home. If you want your book to work, for your business to attract clients, open doors and position you as the authority, your opening matters. So remember, no info dumping, no teaching before trust, no cliches, no academic waffle, no bearing your books promise. Instead, what we do wanna do is hook them, help them feel seen.

Make a bold promise. Start strong. Stay real, and keep it relevant. People. That's it for today's Deep Dive. If your book opening needs a glow up, now you've got the tools to do it, and if you're feeling stuck, this is literally what we do at Automatic Authority Publishing. We help entrepreneurs like you craft nonfiction books that build your brand, grow your business, and actually get read, because otherwise it's just a very expensive little craft hobby.

If you want help, head to automatic authority.com and let's chat. Until next time, go write something powerful.

That's a wrap on today's episode. If you love the insights and inspiration, don't let it end here. Hit subscribe to stay connected and turn your visions into reality alongside our community of change makers. I'm Terran Reevess. Thank you for joining me. And remember, your story has power. See you in the next episode.