How to Write Hooks That Keep Viewers Watching
You have 3 seconds.
That’s how long you get to convince someone to stop scrolling and pay attention to your video.
In a world of endless content, the hook is everything. It decides whether your video gets watched — or skipped.
Whether you’re a YouTuber, a brand, a coach, or a content creator, mastering the hook is one of the most powerful skills you can develop. Because no matter how good the rest of your content is… if people don’t watch past the first few seconds, none of it matters.
At Metly Media, we work with creators and brands across industries — and we’ve seen time and time again how the right hook can 10x watch time and turn average videos into viral ones.
In this blog, we’ll break down what makes a powerful hook, the types of hooks that work, and how you can write your own — without sounding fake or forced.
First, What Is a Hook?
A “hook” is the opening moment of your video. It’s your first sentence, visual, or idea that makes the viewer think:
“I need to see what happens next.”
It’s not your intro, it’s not your title, and it’s definitely not “Hey guys, welcome back to my channel.”
A good hook does three things fast:
Grabs attention
Creates curiosity
Sets up a reason to keep watching
Why Most Hooks Fail
Here are some common mistakes that kill your hook:
Starting with a long-winded intro or backstory
Saying your name before giving value
Wasting the first 5–10 seconds with branded animations
Taking too long to get to the point
Remember: nobody owes you their attention. You have to earn it — fast.
6 Proven Hook Formulas That Work
Let’s get into the practical part. Here are some plug-and-play hook styles you can use for your videos:
1. The Bold Statement
Start with something surprising, controversial, or emotionally charged.
Examples:
“Most people are broke because of this one mindset.”
“You don’t need a fancy camera to go viral.”
This creates pattern interruption — it makes the viewer stop and think: “Wait, what did they just say?”
2. The Cliffhanger
Start with a tease that promises payoff later in the video.
Examples:
“I was ready to quit… but then this happened.”
“I spent $10,000 on ads. Here’s what I learned.”
“If I had known this one thing earlier, I’d be years ahead.”
This taps into the Zeigarnik effect — our brains crave closure and want to know the ending.
3. The Direct Challenge
Speak directly to the viewer’s struggle, and position your video as the solution.
Examples:
“Struggling to grow on YouTube? You’re probably doing this wrong.”
“Still not getting clients from content? Watch this.”
“Posting every day but not growing? Let me show you why.”
You show that you understand their pain — and that you can help.
4. The “Imagine This” Scenario
Use storytelling and visualization to pull people in emotionally.
Examples:
“Imagine waking up and seeing this in your Stripe account.”
“You walk into a room and everyone already knows your brand.”
“Imagine gaining 10,000 followers without spending a dollar on ads.”
This creates desire and makes the viewer see themselves in the story.
5. The Curiosity Gap
Give just enough info to make them curious — but not enough to answer the question.
Examples:
“There’s a reason your videos aren’t working — and it’s not what you think.”
“Everyone teaches this method. But here’s the truth nobody tells you.”
“This small change got me 3x more engagement overnight.”
Curiosity is a powerful driver of retention — just don’t bait and switch.
6. The Problem-Solution Setup
Pose a problem, then immediately hint at the fix.
Examples:
“Your content is great, but your reach sucks. Here’s why.”
“Your hooks are weak — let’s write one that actually works.”
“Your thumbnails are killing your views. Let’s fix that.”
How to Write a Great Hook (Step-by-Step)
Know your audience’s pain or desire
Before you write, ask:
What are they struggling with?
What outcome do they want?
That becomes the core of your hook.Start with the result, not the journey
Cut the “Hi, my name is…” or “Let me tell you a story…”
Jump straight into value or intrigue.Keep it under 15 seconds
If you’re not hooked by then, your audience won’t be either.Test multiple hooks per video
Don’t settle for the first draft. Brainstorm 3–5 different options — pick the best one.Pair your hook with visual storytelling
Your hook is more than just words — it’s what people see too. Use strong visuals, B-roll, subtitles, and expressions that match your message.
In content, your hook is everything. It's the gatekeeper to the rest of your message. If you don’t get it right, your video will never get the attention it deserves — no matter how great it is.
But once you learn the formula, once you understand your audience and know how to craft that perfect opening line…
You’ll turn passive scrollers into engaged viewers. And engaged viewers become loyal fans — and paying customers.
If you’re struggling with scripting or creating scroll-stopping content — let’s fix that.
👉 Work with us at Metly Media. We help creators and brands turn ideas into strategic content that actually gets watched.