There are plentiful videos and posts out there on ‘how to create the best hook for a youtube video’.
So, before you trust us with this — I want you to go Google ‘what should I say in my youtube intros’ and browse what you find.
Trust me, not a single video on the subject is something you’d watch till the end – and that speaks something…
A powerful hook is not just a specific set of words. It’s a mix of context, delivery, video effects, and timing.
In this post, we’ll share 9 powerful hooks with you and their EXACT recipe of implementation that have worked wonders for our satisfied clients. These hooks have won them millions of views and significantly added to their overall video watch times.
So, without further ado, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
What should I say in my YouTube intros?
Here are some powerful hooks you can use in your YouTube intros:
1. You're not ready for this…
Promise | Intrigue and anticipation. |
Psychological Trigger | Curiosity and Insider Knowledge |
This hook taps on FOMO (Fear of Missing Out).
By suggesting that there is something exciting or important that your viewer is unprepared for, you create a sense of urgency and curiosity. This psychological trigger makes the viewer feel that they need to watch the entire video to stay informed or be in on the discovery. Overall, it boosts engagement and retention best for the following types of videos:
- Tech gadget reveals hidden features
- Travel vlogs
- DIY tips and life hacks
- Fitness tips
- Gaming
- Uncommon education content
Try not to use this hook for something casual or common. For example, real estate landscape in Arizona or perhaps financial management for CEOs – or even ‘makeup tips for a day event’. These are commonly discussed and google-able topics. If you do use this hook for something common, you’ll lose your viewer’s trust in you.
How to use it, you ask?
Start with a mysterious statement to pique curiosity. Use dramatic music and a quick montage of upcoming highlights to build excitement.
Here’s an example:
“You’re not ready for this… iPhone cameras have a hidden feature that could help you film a super professional, ready-to-post reel. In the next 5 minutes, I’ll show you how to activate it!”
2. The real deal behind…
Promise | Revealing insider information. |
Psychological Trigger | Curiosity and Insider Knowledge |
Almost everyone feels people around them know something they do not know.
And this is why if you confidently speak of a popular topic and lure your audience in saying you’ll tell them what’s actually going on behind the scenes — they’ll highly likely give you a try.
As a video content creator, your job is to stay true to your word and deliver that insider knowledge. It works best for the following types of videos:
- Industry Secrets: “The real deal behind movie special effects.”
- Behind-the-scenes Exposés: “The real deal behind how luxury handbags are made.”
- Conspiracy Theories Debunked: “The real deal behind fake moon landings”
Make sure, you use a confident tone and visuals that contrast common misconceptions with the “real deal.”
Now, if you do not know what type of visuals would give the right contrast or what type of tone would truly arrest the viewer — feel free to try out our Grow Plan, It’s only $295 per month but our editors take care of this stuff one hundred percent!
3. Confession time: I totally thought…
Promise | Personal story and learning. |
Psychological Trigger | Authenticity and Vulnerability |
According to research, personal storytelling has a lasting impact on memory. If you share a message weaved in a story, the viewer is 22 times more likely to remember it as compared to sharing the plain message or plain facts & figures.
Why is that so?
Well, scientists at Harvard discovered that when we’re told a story, the brain releases three key chemicals:
- Oxytocin (the love chemical)
- Dopamine (the happy chemical)
- Cortisol (the attention chemical)
Collectively, these 3 chemicals help us retain information, establish an emotional connection, and experience genuine empathy. And this is why this hook just simply works.
It starts off with the promise of a personal story.
Here are some specific types of videos that it would most likely work for:
- Personal Misconceptions: “Confession time: I totally thought meditation was some exercise to ease the mind. It is more than that.”
- Lessons Learned: “Confession time: I totally thought you need at least six figures to invest in real estate.”
- Product Reviews: “Confession time: I totally thought this skincare product wouldn’t work, but…”
4. Am I the only one who’s noticed…?
Promise | Relatability and shared discovery. |
Psychological Trigger | Social Proof and Community |
This hook works on the concept of ‘validation’.
According to psychology, seeking validation is an innate human tendency. We just cannot help it!
We want others to see us and recognize us. So, when you put your vulnerability out there — seeking validation from your audience — all of your audience is going to feel resonance. Something inside of them will resonate simply with the question ‘Am I the only one who’s noticed…?’
And they will be tempted to click on your video and watch it.
On YouTube, this type of hook works best for:
- Pop Culture Commentary: “Am I the only one who’s noticed the hidden messages in this new music video?”
- Tech Glitches: “Am I the only one who’s noticed this weird iPhone bug?”
- Everyday Observations: “Am I the only one who’s noticed how expensive coffee has become lately?”
5. Stop right there. This will change your day!
Promise | Immediate value and impact. |
Psychological Trigger | Urgency and Instant Gratification |
This hook promises quick, impactful content that will provide immediate value — especially for those who are having a bad day.
It leverages the psychological triggers of urgency and instant gratification, so the audience feels they can’t afford to miss out on the beneficial information or tips you’re about to share.
With that said, it works best for:
- Life Hacks: “Stop right there. This will change your day! A 5-minute trick to organize your workspace.”
- Quick Recipes: “Stop right there. This smoothie recipe will boost your energy instantly.”
- Productivity Tips: “Stop right there. This app will change how you manage your tasks.”
For implementing this, we recommend beginning with a bold interruption and following up with a promise of significant, positive change. Be sure to use energetic visuals and upbeat music.
6. I need your help with …
Promise | Viewer involvement and engagement. |
Psychological Trigger | Reciprocity and Engagement |
Opening your video with this hook immediately engages viewers by making them feel important and involved. It instills a sense of community and reciprocity, as viewers are prompted to contribute their opinions.
Plus, it creates an interactive atmosphere. You can conveniently urge them to vote in a poll or comment to give their opinion.
But note that this would only work if you already have some genuine subscribers (or even followers on Instagram!).
And it’s a good pick for the following types of videos:
- Crowdsourcing Ideas: “I need your help with picking my next travel destination.”
- Collaborative Projects: “I need your help with designing my new studio layout.”
- Opinion Polls: “I need your help with choosing the best outfit for my event.”
The implementation here is rather simple. Make sure your YouTube thumbnail conveys the theme of ‘facing a problem’ or ‘decision making’. This can be done with this VS that graphic templates or a worried you posing for the camera.
When the viewer clicks on it, your tone should be sincere in the beginning — free of any distractive music or background effects. Emphasize the intensity of the problem.
7. Big oops moment…
Promise | Humility and relatability |
Psychological Trigger | Empathy and Relatability |
This hook instantly intrigues viewers by hinting at a mistake or unexpected event.
They want to know what you did wrong and what it cost you.
Some viewers may have the intention of learning from your mistake. They would want to see how you handled a situation – but most viewers would be interested in critiquing and making it a gossip subject.
Whichever way — it wins their focus and THAT is the goal right now.
It’s evidently the best hook for the following types of videos:
- Behind-the-scenes Fails: “Big oops moment… Here’s what went wrong during our live stream.”
- Personal Mishaps: “Big oops moment… I accidentally deleted an entire week’s worth of work.”
- Learning Experiences: “Big oops moment… What I learned from my biggest travel mistake.”
To implement this, you want to use a visual of the mistake on the cover. Plus, it’d be great if you could share the ‘oops moment’ in the first 15 seconds — either via a video clip or by narrating it yourself. If you choose to narrate, try using a candid tone and relatable visuals.
8. Got a minute? This will make it worth it.
Promise | Quick and high-value content. |
Psychological Trigger | Time Efficiency and High Value |
This hook is best for time-sensitive audiences — such as marketers, investors, entrepreneurs, doctors, productivity enthusiasts, etc.
Why? Because with this hook, you make an immediate promise; you have something of value to give. It’s not just an entertainment or recreational video.
You’re assuring the viewers that their investment of just a minute will be rewarded.
Given that, it works best for the following types of videos:
- Quick Tips and Tricks: “Got a minute? This will make it worth it – Learn how to peel garlic in 10 seconds.”
- Short Tutorials: “Got a minute? Learn how to tie a perfect bow tie.”
- Rapid Reviews: “Got a minute? This gadget will change your daily routine.”
As for implementation, keep the video really short. Jump into the topic right away — do not drag your tone or use lengthy sentences. Consider using concise, fast-paced visuals and direct language.
9. Just found out… Why didn’t anyone tell me?
Promise | Exciting discovery and urgency. |
Psychological Trigger | Novelty and Urgency |
This hook attracts viewers by promising to reveal valuable information or a hidden gem that they might be missing out on. It appeals particularly to audiences who are curious and always on the lookout for useful tips, secret hacks, or unknown facts.
When you’ve captured attention, make sure your script uses loops and a funnel-based approach — so you don’t give away the meat of the video in the first 15 seconds and are able to hold them throughout the video.
Some ways to hold their attention include sequential reviews, where you structure the video to unveil more surprising facts or tips progressively.
Or you can incorporate personal anecdotes or testimonials to add a relatable touch. We also recommend using graphics, demonstrations, or before-and-after scenarios to illustrate points clearly and keep the content dynamic.
Here are some types of videos it’s most useful for:
- New Discoveries: “Just found out… Why didn’t anyone tell me about this secret iPhone feature?”
- Hidden Tips: “Just found out… Why didn’t anyone tell me you can do this with Google Maps?”
- Lifestyle Hacks: “Just found out… Why didn’t anyone tell me this cleaning hack?”
An Important Note
Again – a hook isn’t just a specific set of words.
Your delivery, video quality and effects, timing, and context matter too.
If you have trouble figuring out how to nail any of those four factors, we’d be happy to guide you. Feel free to leave us a message on our Instagram. And if you want us to make those first 15 seconds visually irresistible, then you can subscribe to our Grow Plan or Complete YouTube Assistance plan.
That being said, this isn’t the only list of powerful hooks we have for you. There’s more.
Check out this post on A/B testing your hooks — it explains how you can come up with your own irresistible hooks (specific to your audience) and also lists 11 more hooks that have worked for our clients!
