If you can’t nail the first 3 seconds, you’ve

already lost.
The first 3 seconds decide whether
someone stays or scrolls. Whether they
open or ignore. Whether they watch till
the end or vanish after your intro.
Whether it fulfills their need or your
desires.
If you can completely master these, then
you can master psychology.
For beginner creators, this is the single
biggest bottleneck. But here’s the truth:
great hooks aren’t magic, they’re
patterns you can learn, steal, and tweak.
Great hooks can be created, invented or
copied. You can create your own using
the viral frameworks and plug n play
from the 50 this playbook will give you.

This playbook gives you 50 proven

hooks that work for Instagram Reels,
YouTube, and Email Subject Lines. Just
copy, paste, and customize according
to your specific niche to get the best
results.
1. Shock → Make them stop scrolling. This is
when you shock them by comparing the
topic of the video with a weird ahh thing.
Example: “Stop writing hooks like a
grandma.”

2. Relevance → Make them think, “That’s me.

They should think that video is specifically
made for them and no one else and is
directly targeting them. Example: “If your
reels die after 3 seconds…”

3. Curiosity → Leave a gap they have to fill. It

should create some burning questions in
their mind so they can't stay without getting
those answered
Example: “…it’s because you’re missing THIS.”
Step 1: Pick a hook out of the 50 that
fits your topic, your niche or your
product.

Step 2: Swap in your details (product,

niche, story). Don't just directly copy
paste them as it is. Fill in the blanks
perfectly and avoid using vague words
to get the best results.

Step 3: Match tone to your audience

understands. (funny, intense,
relatable). You shouldn't be using a
funny tone when roasting someone's
content

Step 4: Test, tweak, repeat. Test out

every single hook. These have proven
to go viral and will work for you too if
you use them the correct way
You’re doing [X] wrong. Here’s why.
Challenges assumptions, creates curiosity, and positions
the creator as an authority.
Fitness: “You’re doing push-ups wrong. Here’s why…

I tried [X] for [Y days], here’s what happened.

Offers mini-case-study storytelling, relatable, credible,
and action-focused.
Business: “I cold-emailed 100 people in 7 days, here’s
what happened.”

Most people won’t tell you this, but…

Feels exclusive and taps into a contrarian angle that
sparks interest.
Motivation: “Most people won’t tell you this, but
consistency is overrated.”

Here’s how to get [X] without [Y]

Offers a shortcut or pain-point solution instantly high
value, low effort vibe.
Fitness: “Here’s how to get abs without cardio.”

If you’re a [X], you need to see this.

Highly niche-targeted, instantly relevant to the right
audience.
Fashion: “If you’re a sneakerhead, you need to see this.”
If you want to achieve [goal] in [time frame], try [solution]
Straightforward value + timeframe = very clickable.
Motivation: “If you want to wake up at 5am consistently, try this
3-step trick.”

This one mistake could be costing you [amount]

Highlights a pain point + consequence = makes people stop.
Business: “This one mistake could be costing you sales.”

I tried every [hack/tip/trick], so you don’t have to

Saves them time and builds authority, been there, tried that.
Gaming: “I tried every Valorant crosshair, so you don’t have to.”

How to get [result] in [time frame]

Classic, clear, and high-value—practically copyable as-is.
Business: “How to get 5 clients in 30 days.”

Don’t make this mistake when [task]

Pain avoidance + permission to learn = strong hook.
Education: “Don’t make this mistake when writing essays.”

This may be controversial, but…

Provocative opener that makes people want to find out more.
Motivation: “This may be controversial, but hard work beats talent.”

Everything you knew about [X] is 100% WRONG!

Instantly questions their beliefs, curiosity fires up.
Fitness: “Everything you knew about dieting is 100% WRONG.”

Red flags to look for in [topic]…

Useful, educational, and attention-grabbing, it offers a quick audit.
Fashion: “Red flags to look for when thrifting clothes"

Here’s a simple hack to help you [task]

Easy to deliver, immediately appealing, especially for creators seeking
quick wins.
Motivation: “Here’s a simple hack to stop procrastination.”
Imagine losing [X%] of your [result] because of [tiny mistake].
Visualization + fear of loss.
Business: “Imagine losing 40% of your revenue
because of one email mistake.”

The difference between viral and ignored = your first [X seconds].

Frames the hook as the deciding factor.
Education: “The difference between an A+ and a C =
your first 5 minutes of study.”

Say THIS and people won’t scroll.

Clear, simple, and plug-and-play.
Business: “Say THIS and clients won’t ghost you.”

Stop introducing yourself like a [boring/corporate robot].

Humor + relatability.
Business: “Stop introducing yourself like a boring
LinkedIn robot.”

Steal this [X-word] hook — it never fails.

Offers a done-for-you solution
Gaming: “Steal this 5-word Valorant hook — it never
fails.”

The hooks I wish I had when I started…

Mentor framing. Makes you relatable.
Business: “The cold email hooks I wish I had when I
started freelancing.”
 YouTube Openers
If your [content/product] keeps failing after [X time], this is
why…
Exposes a common frustration, then promises the
solution.
Fitness: “If your workouts keep failing after 2 weeks,
this is why…”

Nobody tells you the real truth about [topic].

People love “insider” information.
Business: “Nobody tells you the real truth about
starting a side hustle.”

Stop wasting [time/money] on [X] — do this instead.

Viewers want shortcuts that save time/money.
Education: “Stop wasting hours rereading — do this
instead.”

I tried [X strategy] for [Y time] — here’s what happened.

Story format builds curiosity and trust.
Gaming: “I tried speedrunning Minecraft for 30
days — here’s what happened.”

This mistake kills [X%] of beginners in [industry].

Fear of loss + relatability.
Fashion: “This mistake kills 70% of beginners in
thrifting.”
Why most people quit [X] (and how you won’t).
Gives hope and keeps viewers engaged.
Motivation: “Why most people quit working out
(and how you won’t).”

I’ll prove in [X seconds] why your [thing] isn’t working.

Sets a short timer
Business: “I’ll prove in 60 seconds why your ads
aren’t working.”

Here’s how I went from [bad situation] to [good result].

Transformation story
Here’s how I went from failing exams to straight
A’s.”

Everything you know about [topic] is WRONG.

Contrarian shock.
Fitness: “Everything you know about fat loss is
WRONG.”

The brutal truth about [topic] nobody wants to admit.

Harsh honesty = authority + shock value.
Business: “The brutal truth about
entrepreneurship nobody wants to admit.”
If you can master this one thing, [X result] becomes easy.
Frames mastery as simple and achievable.
Gaming: “If you can master this one trick, winning
Fortnite is easy.”

Small creators don’t need [X], they need THIS.

Flips assumptions, builds curiosity.
Education: “Students don’t need more study
hours — they need THIS.”

The difference between success and failure = your first [X

minutes/words].
Why it works: Creates urgency and highlights
importance.
Business: “The difference between success and
failure = your first client call.”

Don’t even think about [task] until you know this.

Bold command + curiosity gap.
Fitness: “Don’t even think about dieting until you
know this.”

I tested [X options] — these are the only ones that work.

Authority + exclusivity. Promises a shortcut to
results.
Fashion: “I tested 50 thrifting hacks — these are
the only ones that work.”
Email Subject Line Hooks
You lost [X%] of readers in the subject line.
Pain point + guilt = motivation to improve.
Business: “You lost 70% of leads in the subject
line.”

Stop writing subject lines like a [bad stereotype].

Humor + relatability. Easy to connect.
Education: “Stop writing subject lines like a
boring teacher."

[FREE] [X-minute] subject line fix.

Quick win + free value = irresistible.
Fitness: “[FREE] 5-minute subject line fix for
coaches.”

Your emails suck (and here’s how to fix them).

Harsh honesty grabs attention + solution
promised.
Business: “Your sales emails suck (and here’s
how to fix them).”

Don’t send another [email/post] without this.

Urgent command + curiosity.
Gaming: “Don’t send another stream alert
without this.”
Why nobody opens your emails.
Curiosity + pain point.
Business: “Why nobody opens your client
outreach emails.”

This subject line doubled my open rates overnight.

Social proof + specific result.
Education: “This subject line doubled my
tutoring email open rates overnight.”

Delete these [X words] from your subject lines.”

Negative framing + curiosity.
Fitness: “Delete these 3 words from your
fitness subject lines.”

STOP. Before you hit send…

Pattern interrupt — commands attention.
Business: “STOP. Before yo hit send to a
client…”

You’ve been lied to about [topic].

Contrarian + shock.
Motivation: “You’ve been lied to about
productivity."
If your open rates suck, read this.
Direct call-out + solution promise.
Education: “If your college emails don’t get
replies, read this.”

The secret word that boosts opens.

Curiosity + shortcut.
Business: “The secret word that boosts B2B
opens.”

This tiny tweak made my subject lines irresistible.

Why it works: Micro-change = big results → feels
achievable.
Fitness: “This tiny tweak made my gym emails
irresistible.”

I stole this subject line and it went viral.

Confessional style = relatable + curiosity.
Gaming: “I stole this subject line and my
Discord blew up.”

The last subject line you’ll ever need.

Bold + dramatic → feels final & powerful.
Business: “The last subject line you’ll ever need
for cold outreach.”
 Hooks don’t need to be perfect they
need to be tested. Use these as a
base, experiment, and double down
on what sticks. Remember: a great
hook is the difference between
ignored and irresistible.

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