Hook generator

Hook generator: how to use it

1. Describe the first thing a viewer sees or hears, and say who the video is for. For example: 'a dog that steals socks, for first-time dog owners'.
2. Read all 8 lines out loud. Keep the ones you can say in one breath, because short lines are easier to deliver.
3. Pick two or three hooks and record each one as the opening of the same video body. Compare which opening keeps viewers past the first few seconds.

Example

Written by hand to show the format. Your result will be different.

You type

A 30-second video showing how I cut my grocery bill in half by planning meals on Sunday. For busy parents.

You get something like

1. Your grocery bill has a Sunday problem. 2. I stopped shopping on Tuesdays. Here is what changed. 3. Three meals, one list, zero impulse buys. (and 5 more)

Tips

• Test two or three hooks against each other instead of trusting one line. Keep the body of the video the same so only the opening changes.
• Pair the words with the picture. A hook like 'this glue fixed my phone' works best when the broken phone is on screen.
• Cut any word that does not create a question, a surprise or a promise. The first line should earn the second line.

Questions

How long is a hook in a short video?

The hook is the first few seconds, when a viewer decides whether to stay. Get the main point or the question out early, before any intro or greeting.

Should a hook always be a question?

No. A question works when viewers already care about the answer. A bold claim or a visual surprise also works, as long as the rest of the video pays it off.

Do captions need the same words as the hook?

They should match the hook closely, because many viewers watch with the sound off. Show the opening line as on-screen text while it is spoken, so both kinds of viewer get it.

A hook is the start of a story, and Mubuz can carry that start through a full series of up to 10 episodes, with a script, a vertical video, captions and voice for each one.