Examples are illustrations. Swap in your own real numbers and stories; never invent them.
[N] streams on [PLATFORM]. The check was $[N]. Here's where the rest went.
“1.4 million streams on Spotify this year. The check was $2,100. Here's where the rest went.”
Number-first hook for industry-reality content; two numbers and a gap is the whole structure.
Lead with the number in the first two words and put it on screen. Use your own real figure, never a made-up one.
[PROPORTION] of [CHART/GENRE] uses the same [MUSICAL DEVICE]. Once you hear it you'll hear it everywhere.
“So many pop hits use the same four chords in the same order. Once you hear it you'll hear it everywhere.”
Authority hook for theory-breakdown content; play the device within two seconds.
Name your credential in a few words, then go straight to the point. Only claim experience you actually have.
I played a show for [N] people in [CITY] [N] years ago. [N] of them left. One of the ones who stayed is now [SIGNIFICANT PERSON].
“I played a show for nine people in Columbus four years ago. Six of them left before the second song. One of the three who stayed is now my manager.”
Story hook for artist-journey content; the specific small numbers make the arc believable.
Start mid-scene. Say the line in the first second, while something is already happening on screen, and skip any setup.
I [DID UNGLAMOROUS THING] on my 'viral' song and I'm done pretending I didn't.
“I paid $600 for the first 40,000 streams on my 'viral' song and I'm done pretending I didn't.”
Confession hook for industry-transparency content; the quote marks around 'viral' do a lot.
Say it like you are telling a friend. Follow with what you learned, so it reads as useful and not just dramatic.
You don't need [EXPENSIVE GEAR]. This was recorded on [CHEAP SETUP] in [UNGLAMOROUS PLACE] and here's the raw file.
“You don't need a treated room. This vocal was recorded in a closet under a duvet on a $90 mic and here's the raw file.”
Contrarian hook for home-production content; play the raw take or nobody believes you.
Say the claim flat and calm, then prove it within a few seconds. A contrarian line without proof reads as bait.
If your chorus doesn't [DO X] by [TIMESTAMP], you don't have a chorus. You have a second verse.
“If your chorus doesn't hit by the 40-second mark, you don't have a chorus. You have a second verse with a bigger drum.”
Direct hook for songwriting content; the timestamp rule is harsh enough that writers argue in the comments.
Talk to one viewer, not an audience. Short sentences, no warm-up, and put the key word on screen.
Three things [PRO GROUP] do before recording a vocal that bedroom producers skip every single time.
“Three things session singers do before recording a vocal that bedroom producers skip every single time.”
Listicle hook for process content; keep the three things cheap and physical.
Show the count on screen as text and keep each item short. Deliver the strongest item first or tease it by number.
Why does [ARTIST] sound [QUALITY] and yours doesn't? It's not the mix. It's [SPECIFIC CHOICE].
“Why does every Billie Eilish vocal sound like it's inside your head and yours doesn't? It's not the mix. It's how close she stands to the mic.”
Question hook for production-breakdown content; demo the before and after in the body.
Ask it straight to camera and pause half a beat. Only ask questions you answer in the video.
Pick your niche and we will email you 5 fill-in templates from the library, each with a pattern and a worked example. Free, no account needed.
Pick the template closest to your video, swap every [BRACKETED] part for your own specifics, and say it as your first line while a few words of it appear on screen. Use your own real numbers and stories; the examples are illustrations.
8 templates covering these types: Number first, Authority, Story, Confession, Contrarian, Direct, List, Question. Rotating types keeps your openings from sounding the same.
Paste it into the free hook analyzer for a quick text-only estimate. For a real answer, check the filmed draft in ViralAri, which scores the opening you actually recorded.
Check any short in about a minute: Ari scores the opening, flags the moments most likely to lose viewers, suggests 3 fixes and writes 5 hooks from what you say. Got a podcast or stream? Clip finder finds the best moments in videos up to 15 minutes.