Hooks aren't talent — they're templates. The best short-form creators reuse a small set of proven openers and just swap in their topic. Here are seven you can steal today.
1. The Contradiction
"Everything you know about [topic] is wrong." Creates an information gap. Works for: finance, fitness, productivity.
2. The Open Loop
"Wait until you see what happens at the end." Promises a payoff. Works for: transformations, experiments, stories.
3. The Stakes Statement
"I lost $5,000 before I learned this." Borrows credibility from pain. Works for: business, investing, career advice.
4. The Direct Callout
"If you're [specific person], stop scrolling." Filters for your exact audience. Works for: niches with a clear identity (students, parents, gamers).
5. The Number Drop
"3 mistakes killing your [goal]." Numbers promise structure and a finite commitment. Works for: tutorials, how-tos, reviews.
6. The Confession
"Nobody talks about this, but…" Signals insider knowledge. Works for: behind-the-scenes, industry secrets, hot takes.
7. The Cold Open
Start mid-action with no intro at all. A reaction, a result, a punchline — then explain. Works for: comedy, sports, dramatic moments.
How to use them
Pick two formulas that fit your niche and rotate them for a month. Track 3-second retention per formula. Keep the winners, drop the losers, add one new formula per month. Within a quarter you'll have a personal hook playbook backed by your own data — and every clip you generate will open with a proven winner.