We’ve all been there—you open a digital training course, and within moments, your mind starts to wander. The intro? Lifeless. The text? Long and boring. Before you know it, you’ve lost all interest. Whether it’s soft skills or mandatory training, dull content makes it hard to stay engaged.
But here’s the good news: writing a magnetic first line isn’t rocket science. With the right twist, any topic—no matter how dry—can captivate your audience from the get-go.
Whether you’re introducing a new product, conducting onboarding, or teaching soft skills, we learn you 11 proven strategies to hook your learners from the first word and to keep them engaged throughout your digital training course.
1. Affirm your learners’ reality: Show you understand
Let’s face it—when someone acknowledges exactly how you feel, you can’t help but pay attention. Affirming your learner’s reality shows them you understand their pain points and challenges, instantly building trust.
Example: “Stressed about juggling deadlines and staying productive? Don’t worry—this course will help you manage stress and keep calm under pressure.“
Or hit a more common workplace frustration: “Ever been stuck trying to solve a technical issue and wanted to throw your laptop out the window? Yep, we’ve all been there.“
By speaking directly to the challenges your learners face, you create a personal connection, making them more likely to stick around. For tips on avoiding common L&D mistakes and creating personalized learning, check out how to overcome common L&D mistakes.
2. Surprise: Catch your learners off guard
There’s nothing like an unexpected statement to make someone stop and take notice. A surprising fact, bold question or claim is an excellent way to fascinate your audience.
Example: “Take a guess—how much energy do you think we waste each day on unnecessary meetings?” This opener shocks the learner and immediately draws them in, making them eager to find the answer.
Or try: “By the end of this course, you’ll manage customer complaints faster than you drink your morning coffee. No joke.“
Or go bold: “Forget everything you thought you knew about workplace communication—it’s about to change, and fast.“
These openers spark curiosity and make your learners eager to see how you’ll deliver on the surprising promise.
3. Ask a rhetorical question: Make your learners think
A well-placed question grabs attention by getting your learner’s brain working. Even rhetorical questions engage the mind.
Example: “Ever wondered why some teams thrive under pressure while others crumble? Want to unlock their secret?“
Or appeal to their ambition: “How often do you feel like you’re struggling to get buy-in from leadership? What if you could turn that struggle into success?“
This strategy taps into the learner’s own curiosity, compelling them to keep reading for answers.
4. Hit your learners with a fun fact: Curiosity is key in your digital training
Everyone loves a quirky fact, especially when it’s surprising or something they didn’t know. Use fun facts to spark curiosity and build a connection to your course material.
Example: “Did you know that 75% of information is forgotten within six days? Let’s make sure your training sticks.“
Or, lighten things up: “Most people blink about 15-20 times a minute, but in high-pressure situations, that number drops by half. Let’s keep you calm under pressure.“
These facts are memorable and lead directly into your course’s promise to help your learners retain information.
5. Use humour: Break the ice
Humour lightens the mood and sets a positive tone for your training. If you can make someone smile, they’ll feel more connected to the content.
Example: “Welcome to your ICT training—don’t worry, we’ve ditched the jargon, but you might find a few bad jokes.“
Or go for self-awareness: “Think soft skills training is as exciting as watching paint dry? Hold onto your paintbrushes—this course might just change your mind.“
Humour makes your course feel less intimidating, encouraging your learners to engage more openly.
6. Be provocative: Challenge your learner’s assumptions
A bold, provocative statement can grab attention by challenging your learners’ existing beliefs or assumptions.
Example: “If your team isn’t regularly upskilling, they’re already falling behind. Are you ready to catch up?“
Or take it up a notch: “Why does 90% of digital onboarding fail? Because companies aren’t doing this—and we’re about to show you what it is.“
This approach creates urgency and makes your learners feel like they need the information to stay competitive.
For a more specific look at how onboarding can shape long-term employee engagement and success, explore retail employee onboarding tools, tips, and pitfalls, where we break down strategies to help you retain your new hires and boost their productivity.
7. Tie into current events: Keep it relevant
By tying your course to current trends or events, you make it feel timely and essential. Learners are more likely to engage when they see the course’s relevance to their current reality.
Example: “With hybrid work becoming the norm, does your team have the skills to stay productive no matter where they are?”
Or connect it to the rise of new technology: “Now that AI is transforming the workplace, are you prepared to stay ahead of the curve? This course will get you there.“
Keeping your content aligned with industry trends makes it feel more urgent and necessary for learners.
8. Present a paradox: Make your learners think twice
A paradox is a great way to make your learners pause and think. It creates a moment of confusion, which then leads to curiosity and intrigue.
Example: “Want to be more productive? Start by doing less.“
Or play with expectations: “To improve your team’s communication, the first step is… to stop talking so much.“
This approach forces your learners to rethink their assumptions and opens them up to new ways of thinking.
9. Share a status update: Get straight to the point
Sometimes, the most effective way to grab attention is with a direct and urgent statement. By cutting straight to the point, you highlight the problem and its solution immediately.
Example: “Your sales team’s performance is slipping, and this course will help you fix it—fast.“
Or another direct approach: “Employee turnover is skyrocketing. Let’s fix that with actionable strategies you can implement today.“
This approach appeals to your learners who are looking for quick solutions and know exactly what’s at stake.
10. Make a comparison: Relate to something familiar
Comparisons or metaphors make complex ideas easier to understand. By comparing something new to something familiar, you help learners feel more comfortable and less intimidated.
Example: “Learning this new CRM is like learning to ride a bike—at first, it’s tricky, but soon enough it becomes second nature.“
Or: “Think of this course as a map. You’re navigating unfamiliar territory right now, but we’re about to show you the shortcuts.“
This technique simplifies learning by grounding it in everyday experiences that your learners already understand.
11. Drop a quote: Add credibility to your course
A well-chosen quote can instantly lend authority or inspiration to your introduction. Quotes also help set the tone for your course and offer a memorable takeaway.
Example: “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.’ – Steve Jobs. Ready to find passion in your role?“
Or, use a motivational angle: “What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.’ – Ralph Waldo Emerson. Let’s talk about non-verbal communication.“
This opener gives your learners something to reflect on while setting the stage for what they’ll learn.
Conclusion: The magic of the perfect opener
The first sentence of your digital training course is more than just an introduction—it’s the spark that can keep your learners engaged from start to finish. By using these 11 strategies, from humour to bold claims and everything in between, you’re setting the tone for an engaging digital training course that keeps your learners hooked.
Whether you’re teaching soft skills, conducting onboarding, or rolling out a new product, these tactics will ensure your course grabs attention and holds it.
Now that you know the 11 proven strategies to hook your audience, try implementing them in your next digital training course.
You need help creating your digital training courses? Request your free demo and we’ll discuss how we can help your employees learn, communicate and perform better: https://www.mobietrain.com/request-a-demo/
