The 50 best hooks for Instagram, TikTok and YouTube in 2024

The importance of the hook

On platforms as dynamic as TikTok and instagram, capturing viewers' attention from the very first seconds is crucial.
A 'Hook'effective doesn't just draw attention; it intrigues, sparks curiosity, and inspires the viewer to watch to the end.
No good video without an ultra-effective hook.
In this article, we'll explore the most engaging types of hooks and how to use them to amplify your social media presence.

The attention span

Attention spans are a common currency on the Internet today. Unfortunately, in a world full of distractions, our attention spans have been reduced. In 2023, it's becoming more and more difficult to create a video that keeps viewers' attention.

Over the past 15 years, the average attention span has declined by 25%. According to”Wyzowl“, it is now 8.25 seconds.

In this context, a dynamic hook becomes essential to capture attention and increase the retention rate of your video. 🤯

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A great hook should be a”Pattern-Interrupt“

This notion, often used by online advertising specialists, refers to striking words and visuals that captivate users on platforms like instagram, youtube, TikTok and other similar media. The idea is to make them stop scrolling and interacting with the content presented.

The best hooks on TikTok and Instagram also have this effect. When you post a video, your main goal is to engage viewers with your content. One of the best ways to do this is to involve them right from the start of your video with a good hook!

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The 2 second rule

A good hook respects the”2 Second Rule“. Indeed, a viewer takes about 2 seconds to decide whether to stay on a video or continue scrolling. This knowledge highlights the importance of finding a strong hook.

So what are the best hooks for your videos on Instagram Reels, TikTok, or YouTube Shorts?

Let's see in detail examples of hooks that work!

We've divided these hooks into several categories:

• Hooks that start with a question
• Hooks with a negative hook
• Hooks with a controversial hook
• The hooks with promise
• The ones with numbers or percentages
• The hooks that result from an experience
• The surprising hooks
• With suspense

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Start with a question

What better way to start a conversation than with a question, to get to know the other person better?

This approach is not only informative, it psychologically involves your interlocutor by making him think about his answers.

Similarly, ask a question in a hook of TikTok or From Instagram Reels creates a similar psychological situation. Your audience takes the time to answer your questions, which increases retention rate. The higher this rate, the more likely the viewer is to receive your message.

• “You are having trouble with (Tricky point)?” : Are you having trouble finding work-life balance?
• “How would you react if (an improbable situation)?” : How would you react if you could become fluent in a new language in one month?
• “Have you ever thought that (unexpected design)?” : Have you ever thought that meditating can double your productivity?
• “What if I told you that there is an easy way to (desired result)?” : What if I told you that there is an easy way to cook healthy in under 30 minutes?
• “Why is no one talking about (in connection with your business or niche)?” : Why is no one talking about the mental health effects of yoga?
• “What would happen if (hypothetical scenario)?” : What would happen if you could travel through time?
• “Imagine if you could (desired result)”: Imagine if you could travel around the world without leaving work.
• “And if you (desired results) were only one step away?“: What if your dream career was just one step away?
• “It's just me, or (action)”: Is it just me, or do you also dream of living a more adventurous life?
• “What would be your reaction if (unexpected situation)?” : What would your reaction be if you discovered the secret to perfect health?

Each of these hooks is designed to engage and intrigue the audience right from the start of a video.

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Hooks with a negative hook

Contrary to what you might think, hooks with a negative hook can be very effective for several reasons:

1. Capturing Attention : Negative messages tend to get attention more quickly because they elicit a strong emotional response.
2. Create a sense of urgency : They can create a sense of urgency or an impending problem, which encourages viewers to keep watching for a solution.
3. Strengthen Curiosity : By pointing out a problem or concern, they arouse curiosity about possible solutions or explanations.
4. Proximity : Viewers can easily identify with the challenges or issues presented, increasing their engagement.
5. Change engine : They can be a powerful driver for action or change, by highlighting negative aspects that need improvement.

Examples:

• “You don't need [thing/action in your niche]“ : “You don't need an extreme diet to lose weight!”
• “Forget everything you know about [item in your niche]“ : “Forget everything you know about investing in the stock market.”
• “Stop [mainstream action]“ : “Stop running every morning - here's why.”
• “[number] mistakes that you must avoid if you want [objective]“ : “5 mistakes you must avoid if you want to succeed in photography.”
• “How did I lose [statistic in your niche]“ : “How I lost 10 kg without going to the gym.”
• “Why is no one talking about...” : “Why isn't anyone talking about the side effects of meditation?”
• “Here comes the worst [item in your niche]“ : “This is the worst personal development advice I've ever heard.”
• “The secret to [objective in your niche]“ : “The secret to becoming a charismatic speaker.”

These hooks are designed to generate interest and curiosity, while challenging preconceived ideas or presenting new and intriguing perspectives in your niche.

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Hooks with a controversial hook

Controversial hooks take advantage of emotion, often by challenging established opinions or by addressing sensitive topics. This approach can create deep and immediate engagement because it elicits a strong reaction from the viewer, whether positive or negative. By challenging norms and stimulating debate, controversial hooks can not only increase viewer retention but also encourage sharing and discussion, expanding the reach of your content.

A few examples:

• I hate [mainstream element]“ : “I hate fad diets and here's why.”
• “You're going to hate me for saying that.” : “You're going to hate me for saying that, but detox juices are a waste of time.”
• “This should be illegal...” : “This should be illegal... selling supplements without scientific evidence.”
• “Here's a hack for [objective]“ : “Here's a hack for learning a new language in a month.”
• “[trending in your niche] is dead, here's why” : “Email marketing is dead, here's why.”
• “It's going to be controversial, but [questioning majority opinions]“ : “It's going to be controversial, but working more than 40 hours a week is counterproductive.”
• “You're not going to agree with me but...” : “You're not going to agree with me but social networks do more harm than good.”
• “The truth about [controversial topic]“ : “The truth about gluten-free diets.”

These hooks are designed to engage and engage the audience, often by challenging widely accepted ideas or presenting provocative perspectives.

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Hooks with a promise

These hooks play on the expectation that the message can generate.
They establish a clear expectation and provide immediate value, encouraging viewers to engage with your content. By promising solutions, revelations, or transformations, these hooks create a feeling of foresight and curiosity.

Examples of hooks with a promise:

• “What do you do to [objective]“ : “How to travel the world on a limited budget.”
• “Do you want to know [objective]“ : “Do you want to know how to double your savings this year?”
• “Here's why you [problem in your niche]“ : “Here's why you can't lose weight.”
• “How did I go from [X result] unto [X result] in [set time]“ : “How I went from 0 to 1000 subscribers in one month.”
• “This video is only for [target audience]“ : “This video is only for beginning entrepreneurs.”
• “What would you do if...” : “What would you do if you could change careers today?”

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Numbers or% in the hooks

Effective hooks often include numerals, and there is a reason for that. Good salespeople frequently use numbers for rational power. A hook is used to psychologically convince viewers to invest some of their time.

If I promise you that in 30 seconds I can teach you something worthwhile, you're going to want to stay.

And to show that it's worth it, using numbers is one of the best methods!

People like rational, concrete facts, so speaking in terms of statistics makes your content more tangible and professional. Even if you create these numbers creatively for your hooks on TikTok and Instagram Reels, they're a fantastic strategy for engaging your audience in the first few seconds.

How to do it with examples:

• Why 99% of (audience problem) Don't (in connection with the audience): “Why do 99% of cold emails not receive answers?”
• X% of (target) are (problematic) “Is that why 80% of viewers watch my videos without the sound?”
• That's why X% of (target) fail afterwards (time).” That's why 60% of businesses fail after 3 years.”
• This mistake can cost you (number): “This mistake is going to cost you millions...”

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The hooks resulting from an experience

One of the best examples of hooks for instagram and TikTok is the hook taken from an experience.

This kind of hook adds social proof that's specific to your brand, whether it's personal or not. It can be used by content creators as well as businesses when they post videos on LinkedIn, instagram, etc.

It is an effective method to demonstrate the value of your content in concrete terms.

Some examples of hooks:

• I tried every (advice, method), so you don't have to “I've tried every fad diet, so you don't have to.”
• (Advice) That I would have liked to know sooner “Financial advice I wish I had known sooner.”
• What happens when we (expected result) “What happens when we reach a state of total well-being?”
• Let's find out why (your target's problem) “Let's find out why so many students struggle to manage their time effectively.”
• Here's how we (expected result) “Here's how we improved our conversion rate in just 30 days.”
• I reveal my secret for (expected result) “I am revealing my secret to developing an exceptional daily discipline.”
• How to get (expected result) in (duration) “How to get 1,000 subscribers in 2 weeks.”

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The surprising hooks

Here are raw truths and humorous hooks. Another surprising approach is the use of negation. It also works very effectively!

Examples:

• Here's why your (action) Does not give results. “Here's why your marketing strategy isn't working.”
• Don't hate me, but here goes (a truth).” Don't hate me, but here's the hard truth about success.”
• Everything you thought you knew about (in line with your target) is 100% wrong! “Everything you thought you knew about dieting is 100% wrong!”‍
• Here's the only thing you need to know about (in line with your target). “Here's the only thing you need to know about investing.”‍
• Did you know that (done)? “Did you know that honey never expires?”‍
• The craziest thing just happened in (location); you will never believe it. “The craziest thing just happened at the theme park; you'll never believe it!”
• Fun fact: (fun fact). “Fun fact: The Eiffel Tower can be 15 cm taller in summer due to thermal expansion.”‍
• It's going to change the way you use (in connection with the target). “It's going to change the way you use TikTok.”
• Stop doing (target) If you want (result). “Stop cold calling if you want to exceed €5,000 per month.”‍
• The biggest secret about (result) that no one told you. “The biggest secret about starting your own business that no one told you.”

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Hooks with suspense

One of the strategies for creating engaging short videos is to add suspense hooks. You can add words to your catchphrases that will trigger a red alert in your brain. Use words like 'dangerous', 'secret', 'illegal' that are uncommon but bring psychological tension to your viewers.

Be careful not to abuse these hooks, they must be rare to be credible and effective.

• These 3 (tips) seem illegal to know “These 3 creativity tips seem illegal to know”
• Ce (problem) could destroy (result) in 5 seconds”This objective problem could destroy your campaigns in 5 seconds.”‍
• Ce (in line with the target) Is the most dangerous country in (location) “This is the most dangerous country in the world”
• Stop doing (problematic) Right now ! Instead, (result) “Stop making videos without subtitles! Instead...”
• The dark secret behind the (in connection with target) “The dark secret behind influencers.”
• Nobody has told you this yet, but the (in connection with target) are outdated “Nobody has told you yet, but the hashtags are out of date.”

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A few tips before making your video

Include subtitles in videos

Adding subtitles is a good idea for a number of reasons. First of all, it ensures accessibility for viewers with hearing problems.

Then it is suitable for viewers who watch videos without the sound, for example in public places. Finally, trendy subtitles add dynamics to your video. Combining a great hook with trendy subtitles is a fantastic combination to increase the success of your video.

Needless to say that Capte is the perfect solution for adding your subtitles!

Always favor the use of “I”

When you speak directly to the viewer using “I,” it can help build a personal connection, creating a sense of involvement. This makes viewers feel like you're speaking directly to them, which can increase engagement.

Be brief and to the point

Short, direct hooks are critical because they allow you to quickly communicate the value of the video and get the viewer's attention on your message. Individuals have limited attention, especially on social media platforms, so keeping it short is essential.