Why do you need to worry about the introduction when you are writing an eBook? After all they don't have cover copy.
And the sales letter tells the story of what you are writing.
Your reader won't even buy the book if the sales letter doesn't interest them.
It really doesn't matter whether you are writing an eBook or a regular book.
You absolutely must have an introduction that captures your reader's attention.
But why? Why does your eBook need a good introduction? An eBook is shorter than a regular book not because it matters less or because the reader has less importance.
It is shorter than a regular book because it is hard to read.
Even the digital book readers have not eliminated the difficulties inherent in reading on a screen rather than paper.
So if you want your reader to continue to read you need to capture their attention and then hold it.
Think of an introduction as the appetizer that begins a ten course meal.
Now that's a lot of courses.
And if you're going to be interested in finishing the meal there are certain things you are going to want.
First you are going to want the appetizer to tickle your fancy.
It needs to interest you.
Otherwise why bother.
It's the same with an introduction.
It needs to grab your attention and make you focus on what you are going to read.
Second, you will want the appetizer to be a taste of the meal to come.
Not something radically different in style from the remaining meal.
An introduction needs to merge into the main book.
The book should simply carry on not look like it was written by someone else.
Third you will want the appetizer to be simple yet elegant.
It can't be overdone or you'll tire of the meal before it starts.
Introductions are the same.
You don't want the introduction to be overwritten.
"A dark and stormy night" may work for Snoopy but for the rest of us it's suicide.
But why? Simply because, just as the appetizer introduces the meal, the introduction introduces the book.
The appetizer creates interest for the diner in the coming meal.
The introduction captures the reader's interest for the coming eBook.
An appetizer gives a taste, a hint of the coming meal for the diner.
It sets the tone.
It sets the diner's expectations for the meal.
An introduction does the same for the book.
The reader starts the introduction with expectations based on their need.
They finish the introduction with expectations based on what the writer will deliver.
And finally, the appetizer slowly draws the diner in.
It helps the diner to make the transition from hunger to taste.
An introduction helps the reader to go from inactivity to actively reading.
From boredom to curiosity.