Master the art of writing hooks

If you want more followers, pay attention.

Because if you overlook this key element, people will scroll right past your content

Today, I’ll show you an effective method I use to hook people in with my content. And by the end, you’ll have a powerful tool to boost engagement.

Mastering the Hook

Nailing that perfect hook?

It’s gold.

Mess it up, and your content will be ignored.

Ouch, right?

So many amazing posts go unnoticed because they didn’t kick off with a banger hook.

A stellar hook does three things: (1) Grabs attention, (2) Draws them in for more, and (3) Sets the vibe for everything to follow

And here’s a simple 4-element hook formula that gets people to read:

1. Attention Grabber
2. Consequence Statement
3. Value Proposition
4. Promise

Let’s break down each, using this post’s hook as a blueprint.

How I came to this hook formula

I’m a big fan of many YouTubers.

I figured I could borrow their snappy hooks for my videos, threads, and emails.

So, I dived into many videos, especially the ones with millions of views.

Oh, and I didn’t forget about the channel sizes.

The smaller the channel, the better.

Anywho…

That’s how this formula came to be.

And now it’s yours too.

Attention Grabber

It’s a sharp statement or question targeting the reader’s wants or challenges.

For instance:

“If you want [desired outcome], pay attention.”

This attention grabber leverages:

1. Curiosity: Promises a solution, tapping into the reader’s desires and hinting at juicy insights.
2. Urgency: “Pay attention” sounds like NOW OR NEVER time.
3. Mystery: Drops hints about secret sauce strategies, triggering the psychological principle of the “information gap,” driving them to seek out the information.

Consequence Statement

Points out the downside of not heeding the advice.

Example:

“Because if you overlook [specific thing], [negative outcome].”

This warning uses a few psychological hacks:

1. Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): Stresses what’s at stake if they don’t follow through.
2. Psychological Reactance: Suggests skipping the info could set them back, making them more eager to dive in. By the way, the Psychological Reactance principle suggests that people naturally resist limitations on their freedom and autonomy, making them more likely to pay attention and take action to avoid adverse outcomes.
3. Risk Perception: Highlights potential pitfalls, making them want to know more and dodge those issues.

Value Proposition

In plain words, say what you’re about to reveal and why it’s a big deal.

Example:

“Today, I’ll show you [specific method/strategy] I use to [specific benefit].”

This teaser leans on:

1. Specificity: Spelling out the method and its perks makes readers sit up and take note.
2. Perceived Value: It suggests that the reader can expect to gain something valuable by reading.

Promise

Hints at the golden nugget they’ll walk away with.

Example:

“And by the end, you’ll have [specific takeaway/learning].”

This seal of assurance stirs up:

1. Curiosity: Whets their appetite for what’s to come.
2. Anticipation: sets up the expectation of walking away richer in knowledge or insight.

The Formula in all its glory

If you want [desired outcome], pay attention.

Because if you overlook [specific thing], [negative outcome].

Today, I’ll show you [specific method/strategy] I use to [specific benefit].

And by the end, you’ll have [specific takeaway/learning].

The ChatGPT Prompt

The best thing about this simple method is that it can be “automated” using ChatGPT.

The way to use it is to give it the exact hook/intro text you want it to use as a template (A literal copy/paste) and tell it the topic you want it to write about.

Here’s the prompt:

I am going to give you an INTRO EXAMPLE to a YouTube video. And I want you to use it as a template to create a new one.

INTRO CRITERIA
- Topic: How to get course sales
- Should create massive curiosity
- Should be hyperbolic

INTRO EXAMPLE
If you want more followers, pay attention.

Because if you overlook this key element, people will scroll right past your content

Today, I'll show you an effective method I use to *hook* people in with my content. And by the end, you'll have a powerful tool to boost engagement.

What’s Next

Here are 3 ways I can help you right away:

1. Need an automated sales funnel? Book a call with me.

2. Buy my Crashcourse Copywriting to learn persuasive writing

3. Check out my newly updated free guide on how to build your funnels.

Tu amigo,

Jose