--- name: video-hook-generator description: Generate attention-grabbing hooks for the first 3 seconds of videos. The hook determines if viewers stay or scroll. Creates multiple hook variations for A/B testing. Use when crafting video openings, improving retention, or creating scroll-stopping content for YouTube, TikTok, or Reels. --- # Video Hook Generator Create irresistible opening hooks that stop the scroll and maximize retention. ## Why Hooks Matter ``` 📊 RETENTION DATA: - 20% of viewers leave in first 3 seconds - 33% leave by 30 seconds - A strong hook can improve retention by 50%+ The first 3 seconds = Life or death for your video ``` ## Hook Formulas (Proven Patterns) ### 1. Curiosity Gap ``` "The [thing] that [surprising claim]..." "What [expert/celebrity] doesn't want you to know about..." "I discovered something about [topic] that changes everything..." "There's a reason why [common belief] is completely wrong..." ``` ### 2. Bold Claim / Controversial Take ``` "[Common advice] is actually making things worse..." "Stop [doing X] immediately. Here's why..." "Everything you know about [topic] is wrong..." "This is the [worst/best] advice I've ever heard..." ``` ### 3. Result/Transformation Preview ``` "This is how I [achieved result] in [timeframe]..." "Before vs After: What [X days/weeks] of [thing] looks like..." "I went from [bad state] to [good state] by doing this one thing..." "Watch what happens when I [do thing]..." ``` ### 4. Pattern Interrupt ``` "Wait, don't scroll yet..." "Okay hear me out..." "I know this sounds crazy but..." "You're not going to believe this..." ``` ### 5. Direct Address / Call Out ``` "If you're [specific situation], this is for you..." "The reason you're not [getting result] is probably this..." "[Specific audience], stop what you're doing..." "You've been [doing X] wrong your whole life..." ``` ### 6. Story Teaser ``` "So there I was, [dramatic situation]..." "This is the craziest thing that's ever happened to me..." "I need to tell you about what happened when..." "The moment everything changed was when..." ``` ### 7. Number/List Promise ``` "[X] things I wish I knew before [starting thing]..." "The [X] biggest mistakes [audience] make..." "[X] seconds to understand [complex topic]..." "Only [X]% of people know this..." ``` ### 8. Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) ``` "Everyone's doing this wrong except..." "The secret [industry/experts] don't want you to know..." "This hack is going viral for a reason..." "You need to see this before it's too late..." ``` ### 9. Relatable Pain Point ``` "Tired of [common frustration]? Same..." "Why does [annoying thing] always happen?" "POV: You [relatable situation]..." "We need to talk about [common problem]..." ``` ### 10. Question Hook ``` "What would you do if [scenario]?" "Have you ever wondered why [thing]?" "Can you guess what [thing] costs?" "Which one would you choose?" ``` ## Platform-Specific Hooks ### YouTube (Long-form) ``` More time to build curiosity: - Can use 5-15 second hooks - Setup + Payoff preview works well - Credibility establishment helps Example: "In 7 years of [expertise], I've never seen anything like this. What I'm about to show you completely changed how I [do thing], and by the end of this video, you'll know exactly how to do it too." ``` ### YouTube Shorts / TikTok / Reels ``` ULTRA-FAST hooks (1-3 seconds): - First word/frame must hook - Text on screen essential - Visual hook + Audio hook together Example: [TEXT ON SCREEN: "The $3 thing that replaced my $300 product"] [VOICEOVER: "Throw away your expensive [product]"] [VISUAL: Dramatic product reveal or reaction] ``` ### Instagram Reels ``` Slightly more polished feel: - Aesthetic matters more - Hook can be visual-first - Trending audio helps Example: [VISUAL: Stunning transformation or result] [TEXT: "Wait for it..."] [AUDIO: Trending sound that builds anticipation] ``` ## Hook Templates by Niche ### Tech/Product Reviews ``` - "Is the [Product] actually worth [Price]? Let me show you..." - "I spent [X days] testing this so you don't have to..." - "The feature [Brand] doesn't advertise but should..." - "Why I'm returning my [Product] after [timeframe]..." ``` ### Tutorial/Educational ``` - "The [thing] nobody teaches you about [topic]..." - "In [X] minutes, you'll understand [complex topic] better than most..." - "I'm going to save you [hours/money] with this one tip..." - "The biggest mistake beginners make with [topic]..." ``` ### Lifestyle/Vlog ``` - "I tried [thing] for [timeframe] and here's what happened..." - "Day [X] of [challenge/journey]..." - "This is what my [routine] actually looks like..." - "Let's talk about what no one shows you..." ``` ### Finance/Business ``` - "This is how rich people actually [do thing]..." - "The money mistake that's costing you [amount]..." - "I turned [small amount] into [big amount] by..." - "The investment [expert] won't tell you about..." ``` ### Fitness/Health ``` - "I did [exercise/diet] for [timeframe]. Here are my results..." - "The exercise you're doing that's actually hurting you..." - "Forget everything you know about [fitness topic]..." - "This [quick thing] burns more calories than [long thing]..." ``` ### Gaming ``` - "I found a glitch that [amazing result]..." - "This strategy is actually broken..." - "Nobody talks about this [weapon/character/build]..." - "POV: You discover [game-changing thing]..." ``` ## Hook Generation Output Format ``` ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ HOOK OPTIONS FOR: [Topic] Platform: [Platform] Target Audience: [Audience] ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ 🥇 TOP PICK (Recommended): ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Script: "[Full hook script]" Text Overlay: "[What to show on screen]" Visual: [What to show] Why it works: [Explanation] 🥈 ALTERNATIVE A: ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Script: "[Hook]" Text Overlay: "[Text]" Style: [Curiosity/Bold/Story/etc.] 🥉 ALTERNATIVE B: ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Script: "[Hook]" Text Overlay: "[Text]" Style: [Different approach] 📱 SHORT-FORM VERSION: ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Script: "[Ultra-short version]" Text: "[Text overlay]" Timing: [0:00-0:03] 💡 A/B TEST SUGGESTION: ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Test: [Hook A style] vs [Hook B style] Metric: Watch time in first 30 seconds Winner criteria: Higher retention rate ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ ``` ## How to Use ### Quick Hook Generation ``` Generate 5 hooks for a video about [topic] ``` ### Detailed Request ``` Create video hooks: - Topic: [your topic] - Platform: [YouTube/TikTok/etc.] - Audience: [who they are] - Video type: [tutorial/review/vlog/etc.] - Tone: [energetic/calm/dramatic/funny] - Key benefit: [what viewers will get] ``` ### Hook Improvement ``` Improve this hook for better retention: Current: "[your current hook]" Problem: [why you think it's not working] ``` ## Hook Checklist Before finalizing your hook, verify: - [ ] **Specific**: Not generic ("This video will change your life" ❌) - [ ] **Promises value**: Clear benefit for watching - [ ] **Creates curiosity**: Unanswered question or teased result - [ ] **Matches content**: Don't clickbait with unrelated hooks - [ ] **Platform-appropriate**: Length and style fit the platform - [ ] **Speakable**: Easy to deliver naturally - [ ] **Text-overlay ready**: Works with on-screen text ## Common Hook Mistakes | Mistake | Example | Fix | |---------|---------|-----| | Too generic | "Hey guys, welcome back" | Start with value/hook | | Too long | 15-second intro before hook | Hook in first 3 seconds | | No curiosity | "Today I'll show you X" | Tease the result/surprise | | Clickbait | Hook unrelated to content | Match hook to delivery | | Weak opening word | "So, um, today..." | Strong first word | | No visual hook | Talking head start | Add text/visual element | --- Source attribution: nicepkg Original project: https://github.com/nicepkg/ai-workflow/blob/d167b41af7f013d3d3c35dca87a6cc72817721d2/workflows/video-creator-workflow/.claude/skills/video-hook-generator/SKILL.md License: MIT License information: https://opensource.org/license/mit Original upstream instructions; downloaded from Mega AI Hub. ## Upstream license notice MIT License Copyright (c) 2025 nicepkg Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions: The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software. THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE. # Mega AI Hub resource metadata Creator / publisher: nicepkg Original project: https://github.com/nicepkg/ai-workflow/blob/d167b41af7f013d3d3c35dca87a6cc72817721d2/workflows/video-creator-workflow/.claude/skills/video-hook-generator/SKILL.md Attribution basis: Source repository record Fields of work: Content & Media, Marketing Roles: Content Marketer, Influencer Marketer, Marketing Analyst, Social Media Manager, Video Producer Specialties: Cross Platform Tools: Tool not specified Country applicability: Country not specified Classification basis: Source catalog labels Instruction SHA-256: 2ef9f51a38cc26d01554f61915697fc82195129daa4353a8c0ac8c51b0474f2b