Clip hook and title writer

What is a clip hook?

A hook is the short line on screen in the first few seconds of a clip. Someone scrolling lands in the middle of your conversation; the hook tells them what this moment is about and why to stay. Keep it to about 4 to 10 words, show it for the first few seconds, then let the captions take over. The same line often works as the clip's title.

What are the 5 hook styles?

1. Contrarian: goes against the usual advice. "Unpopular opinion: most podcasters get interview questions wrong." Only use it if the clip really says so.
2. Pain: names a problem the viewer has. "Struggling with booking guests? This will help."
3. Open loop: starts a thought and leaves it open, often with the speaker's own words. "I spent two years asking every guest the wrong thing…"
4. Big question: asks what the viewer is already wondering. "What would change if you got your pricing right?"
5. How / Why: promises an answer. "How to get better at cold emails."

How do I score a hook out of 15?

Give it 1 to 5 on three things, the "3 C's": curiosity (do I want the next sentence?), common (do lots of people have this problem?) and care (does it touch something people care about, like money, time, health, work or family?). Under 10 out of 15: rewrite it. It is a quick self-check, not a prediction of views.