Whether you are a content creator or a video marketer using video advertising to promote your brand, you’ve undoubtedly experienced the torture of not knowing how to start your videos. Have you been staring at a blank piece of paper trying to come up with an engaging hook? Or have you perhaps reshot the introductory scene dozens of times over? Either way, we know how dreadful that is, and we feel for you! That’s why we decided to compile a list of the most effective hooks for videos to help you deal with writer’s block!
But before we get to our tips, we must first mention the golden rule of writing hooks.
The 5-Second Rule
This rule means what you think it means; you have five seconds to get your viewers’ attention! But why so little? Because people’s attention spans are now shorter than ever. Research has shown that an average person’s attention span is now eight seconds, which is even lower than that of a goldfish!
That is why you need a compelling hook to reel your audience in. Regardless of whether you’re making videos for your YouTube channel or a short-form video ad for your marketing campaign, you will want your viewers to stick long enough to get your message across.
That’s where a compelling hook can help you! Let’s see what hooks for videos you can use to get your viewers’ undivided attention.
8 Hooks for Videos You Can Use to Grab Your Audience’s Attention
Here are the different types of hooks you can use to entice your audience:
- Start With a Fascinating Fact
- What If…
- Surprise Them
- In Medias Res
- Start With a Problem & Offer a Solution
- Open With a Joke
- Ask a Question
- Hint at a Story
Now let’s see what makes them so effective!
1. Start With a Fascinating Fact
Did you know that the woolly mammoth was still living and breathing while the pyramids were being built? Or how about the fact that there are more possible iterations of a game of chess than atoms in the known universe? Would you be interested in learning more? We sure would!
As you can see, piquing one’s curiosity is a surefire way of grabbing their attention. By playing on your viewers’ innate curiosity and desire for learning, you can easily engage them and keep them around.
That is not the only benefit of opening with an interesting fact! You also build your credibility in the viewers’ eyes, which will make them more likely to trust you. And if they trust you, they’re more likely to answer your CTA.
2. What If…
This hook is as old as time, but that doesn’t make it any less effective! Quite the contrary — bringing up a hypothetical situation is one of the easiest ways to engage your audience. Once again, this video hook sparks intrigue in the viewers’, making them want to keep watching. After that, you can take the video in any direction you want!
3. Surprise Them
Don’t we all love surprises? Well… at least if they’re of the pleasant kind. Nonetheless, seeing something unexpected will incite a reaction! Regardless of whether it is positive or negative, you will be better off than not producing any.
Here’s an excellent tip for making an awe-inspiring surprise hook — start with a cliché, then hit them hard in the gut (metaphorically). You’ll be getting more viewers to stick around in no time!
4. In Medias Res
We’re not trying to sound presumptuous here, but everyone should know what this principle of “into the midst of things” means. In layman terms, cut to the chase! Nobody wants to listen to you go off on a tangent in a dragged out introduction. If what you have to say is worth your viewers’ attention, there’s no need to fluff it up. You should get to your point immediately. Trust us — your audience will thank you for it.
5. Start With a Problem & Offer a Solution
Nobody cares about your cleaning product’s chemical compositions or if it’s more environmentally friendly (well, most people don’t) than your competitors’. People care about how what you’re offering can help them! Can it clean deep stains? Good. Can it deal with those pesky spills? Even better!
These are the things you should focus on when making this kind of hook. And the more comprehensive of a demonstration you can include in your first five seconds, the more likely you will be to keep the right audience watching.
But what do we mean by the right audience here? This type of hook won’t necessarily increase your average view time since most people will immediately know they’re not interested in your product if it’s not their cup of tea. However, those that have the potential to become paying customers will be more likely to stay until the end. After that, you’ll be but one step away from converting them!
6. Open With a Joke
Humor makes the world go round! Or… was it something else? It doesn’t matter! You can never have enough laughter. After all, a funny opener is always an excellent way to strike up a conversation, so a funny hook is as equally as effective at piquing your audience’s interest.
Regardless of whether you’re in a casual or a professional setting, cracking a joke or throwing a pun is the perfect way to break the ice and get on your viewers’ good sides. So don’t be afraid to include some wit in your hook!
7. Ask a Question
Sure, this type of hook might seem bland and academic, but it’s on this list for a reason. If you’re ever in a rush and need to shoot some content quickly, this hook could be your go-to solution.
Sometimes, even the simplest of actions, such as asking your viewers about a particular situation or problem, could intrigue them enough to keep their attention until the punchline. Asking a question is particularly useful if you combine it with solving a viewer’s problem. So if you can combine these two, you’ll have yourself an easy recipe for success.
8. Hint at a Story
If you’ve ever watched any TV series, you’ve undoubtedly felt the urge to throw a chair at the TV screen a few times (or many) because an episode ended on a nail-biting cliffhanger. And no, we’re not talking about the Sylvester Stallone movie, but the annoying habit of ending shows at crucial plot points just before getting a resolution. Regardless, you get our point.
But how can you apply this principle to your video’s hook? It’s quite simple — introduce your viewers to a story! More likely than not, they will stick around to learn more. It is in human nature not to wish to leave things unfinished. That is why you will encourage them to stay and learn more about what you have to say by intriguing them with a hint of a more in-depth story.
3 Bonus Tips to Keep in Mind When Making Hooks for Videos
Before we sign off, we thought we’d share a few extra tips that will help you make killer hooks. Regardless of whether you’re filming a video for your YouTube channel or aiming to create a compelling video ad, here are three things you should keep in mind:
- Use Text (Include Captions) — More and more browsers nowadays automatically mute videos on playback. On top of that, a study shows that many mobile users watch videos without audio. With that in mind, you should include text in your hook or turn on captions. Otherwise, you run the risk of missing out on a significant portion of your audience.
- Be Passionate — If you aren’t passionate about your work, it’s going to be evident. And who wants to watch a person who can barely get themselves to do their job? That’s right — nobody! Your personality and enthusiasm need to resonate with your audience, so make sure you showcase your passion for your work. We’re confident it will make a huge difference!
- Use Strong Emotions — Make them laugh, make them cry, make them… want to watch more? We might have butchered this quote a bit, but you get the point. Humans are emotional creatures, so using that to your advantage is essential. If you strike the right chord, you’re sure to find your video’s views skyrocket!
Are You Ready to Become a Viewer Magnet?
Having a compelling hook can make all the difference in your videos’ success. So if you ever feel stuck when trying to come up with ways to start your video, just revisit this article! We hope you found our article helpful. If you did, let us know by finding us on social media. We’d love to hear from you!
Until next time!
