Hook generator
The first three seconds of every Reel, Short, or TikTok. Get a list to choose from.
What this tool does
Short-form video lives or dies in the first three seconds. The hook is the only piece of a Reel, Short, or TikTok that gets the full attention of every viewer — once it's lost them, no payoff in the world will save the post. Most creators spend 90% of their effort on the content and 10% on the hook. The high-performing accounts you're trying to emulate do exactly the opposite.
How to use it
- Pick the profession that matches your audience.
- Enter your topic in a sentence.
- We generate 15+ hook variations grouped by format — question hooks, contrarian hooks, story hooks, list hooks, and direct-callout hooks.
- Pick the two that don't make you cringe. Test both.
Why it matters
Switching one mediocre hook for one great one routinely 5-10x's a Reel's reach. Same content, same hashtags, same time of day — the only variable is the first three seconds. Most creators won't believe this until they test it on their own account; the ones who test it once become evangelical.
Questions people actually ask.
Will the same hook work on every platform?
Mostly. TikTok rewards faster, more direct hooks; Reels can tolerate a beat of setup; Shorts sits in between. The hooks here lean TikTok-direct — soften them slightly for Reels if your audience is older.
How long should a hook be?
Spoken: 3-6 words. On-screen text: 4-8 words. If your hook has a comma in it, it's probably too long. If it has two ideas in it, definitely too long.
How many should I test?
Pick two from the list, post both as separate Reels in the same week, and compare. After 4-6 of these little tournaments, you'll know which format works for your audience without having to think about it.