5 tips for writing short-form video hooks

On TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, most viewers decide whether to keep watching in the first two seconds. The opening of your video, called the hook, needs to give them a reason to stay. You don't need a big budget to write a good hook.

Here are five tips.

1. Start with the most interesting part

Skip the introduction. Don't open with a logo animation or "Hi everyone". Start with the most interesting moment, such as the result, the problem or a surprising detail. You can explain the background later in the video.

2. Tell viewers what they'll get

Say clearly what the video will show them. For example: "Three mistakes that make your bread dense" or "How we cut our delivery time in half". A specific promise works better than a vague one.

3. Add text on screen

Many people watch with the sound off. Put your hook on screen in large text in the first frame, and keep it short enough to read in about a second. Check that the platform's buttons and captions don't cover it.

4. Start with movement

A still first frame looks like a photo, and people tend to scroll past photos. Start with movement instead, like a hand reaching into the frame, something being poured or a quick cut.

5. Deliver what the hook promises

If your hook promises something the video doesn't deliver, viewers leave early, and platforms show videos less when people stop watching early. Make sure the video delivers on the hook, ideally sooner than viewers expect.

Test different hooks

Write three hooks for every video idea, and try different ones over time. Compare how long people watch, not just the number of views, and note which types of hooks work best for each client.

Use AI to draft hooks faster

AI is useful for drafting hooks. Ask for ten options for one idea, then choose and edit the best two. In Ogasocial, AI Studio writes video scripts with several hook options in the client's approved brand voice, ready for your team to review.