The Psychology of Hooks: Why First 3 Seconds Matter

Master the Hook: Stop the Scroll in 3 Seconds

Studies show 70% of viewers drop off in the first 3 seconds. Your hook determines if someone watches 1 minute or 10 minutes. Here's the psychology behind what works.

The Curiosity Gap

Create a question or misconception in the first 3 seconds that demands an answer. Example: "You've been editing videos wrong your whole life."

Visual Novelty

Something unexpected catches the eye. A surprising zoom, unusual color, or striking image makes people stop scrolling to see what's going on.

Pattern Interrupt

Break the monotony of someone's feed. If everyone else has slow, static intros, you use fast cuts and movement.

Benefit Promise

Clearly state what value viewers will get. "This technique will increase your views by 300%" promises a concrete benefit.

Hook Formulas That Work

Formula 1: "You're wrong about [topic]"

Formula 2: "This [small change] increased [big result] by [percentage]"

Formula 3: "Wait until the end..." (cliffhanger)

Formula 4: "[Specific] made [dramatic result] in [timeframe]"

Implementation

Script your first 3 seconds carefully. Test different hooks. Track which ones get the best retention curves. Iterate and improve.

Conclusion

The perfect hook combines curiosity, novelty, and a clear promise. Master this and your average view duration will skyrocket.