Welcome to Gaia! ::

To me, the first post is like introducing yourself. It's has to be unique, it has to capture attention, and it has to put your abilities in a good light. I follow a basic formula for my introduction post. It is as follows:

1. Set the Scene (Where is you character? What is your character doing?)
2. Describe your character. (What do they look like? What are they feeling or thinking? Maybe reference your character's past?)
3. Action (Create a conflict of some sort. Does your character hear a cry and rush to help? Does your character get into a bar fight? Is your character stalking another character? Whatever your character is doing, make it interesting and fun.)
4. Open ending (For the end, create possibility. Leave options for the other players so that they may interpret your open ending and interact with your player.

Example:

James stood at his desk with his hands balled into fists. The rain pattered against the windowpane, creating a constant rhythm that sounded like drums in the empty office. The shadows of the rain and trees outside fell over the bookcases and chairs giving the office a dark and brooding air. James didn't care. He reveled in the foreboding look of his office. His mood suited it just fine. He slammed his hand against the desk and let out a growl of desperation. He was tired of the constant stream of students flowing through the school, tired of the bored faces, the adolescent girls secretly hiding crushes on him. He had to admit that he was good looking with his tawny brown hair and deep blue eyes, but the looks he got from many girls in the class was too much to bear. James blew a strand of hair from his face and walked around the desk towards the door. He had had enough. And he was going to do something about it. He slammed open the door to his classroom and strode out into the hall. His purpose was clear in his mind and he knew exactly what to do. He walked into the main office and to many an odd look, slammed open the principles door.
"I QUIT!" James shouted, not caring that practically all the office workers were staring agog at him.
"James! What a pleasant surprise. Won't you sit down?" Said the principle, a tall blond woman staring at her computer, as she waved him towards a chair. James, fuming, merely slammed the door closed and walked closer to the large impressive desk.
"I mean it this time Ramona! I am giving you notice. I leave in two weeks and there is nothing you can do to stop me!" James heaved with anger as Ramona calmly looked up at him.
"James this is the fifth time you have tried to quit, what makes you think this attempt with be any more successful than the last." She bluntly told him.
"Because I have never been THIS fed up. I am so sick of it all! I'm amazed you can stay as calm as you can what with THESE students." James glanced at the rain falling outside and snorted.
"Well James I just think-"
"-No. I don't want to hear it. I'm leaving Ramona. TWO WEEKS! That's it! and then..." James walked back over to the door and opened it dramatically. "...I'm out of here!" And with that he slammed the door on his way out.


Now I know this is pretty long but that's just how I do intro posts. I make them rather long to add story and drama and character to the Role Play. Then I usually post much smaller than this. Anyway, this is a good way to do an intro post. I set the Scene (James in his office), I described Jame's frustrations and generalized his appearance, I had an action (James giving his boss notice), and I had an open ending (now another character can come across me as I leave, or have been watching the whole time and approach me).
Anyway I hope this helps.

Good, because this is some solid advice. Your first post is always introductory. Find a way to make the scene given to you- if the GM gave you one- help explain your character.

Another thing to remember for EVERY post is DOTS: Do. Observe. Think. Say. These four things should be on your mind every time you post. Not every post will require all four, but if you feel like you're coming up short, just remember DOTS. It's certainly added color and depth to mine over the years.

Another thing I would say is be cautious with suggestion #3 if it isn't your roleplay. If you're always the one creating the action, you could start derailing the roleplay. Just something to think about.