How to Write Hooks That Stop the Scroll

Every day, billions of people scroll past millions of posts, videos, and ads without blinking. But once in a while, something catches their attention. It could be a headline, a line, or even a 3-second clip. That’s the power of a hook. If you want your content to perform, whether you’re writing captions, creating video intros, or crafting blog titles, you must learn how to write hooks that stop the scroll.

10 Ways to Write Hooks That Stops the Scroll

Let’s get into it properly.

1. Your Hook Is Your First Impression

Think of your hook as your digital handshake, the moment you introduce yourself to your audience. If it’s weak, nobody stays long enough to hear what you have to say.

When people scroll on Instagram or LinkedIn, they give you about 1.5 seconds before deciding if you’re worth their attention. The job of your hook is simple: make them pause.

Example:
Weak: “We all want to grow our businesses.”

Strong: “If your business isn’t growing, your content is too boring.”

The second one hits differently. It challenges, teases, and wakes the reader up. That’s what good hooks do.

2. Curiosity Is a Strong Currency

People scroll fast, but curiosity slows them down. A hook that teases what’s coming, without giving it all away, creates tension.

You want them to think: “Wait, what?” or “Tell me more.”

Examples:
“Most entrepreneurs fail, but not for the reason you think.”

“There’s a formula behind every viral post and it’s not luck.”

“This one mistake cost me 200 customers in a week.”

Notice how each line sets up a question in the reader’s mind. That’s curiosity in action.

3. Speak to Pain, Not Perfection

Another way to write hooks is to understand that If your hook sounds too polished, people will scroll past it. If it sounds real, they stop. Humans relate to imperfection. So, the best hooks reflect the reader’s struggles, fears, or ambitions in a relatable way.

Example:

“You don’t need another motivational quote. You need customers.”

“Your audience isn’t ignoring you. You’re only saying what everyone else is saying.”

These lines mirror real frustrations business owners and creators face. That’s why they work.

4. Use Pattern Interrupts

Sometimes, your hook doesn’t need to be clever. It only needs to break the pattern.
A pattern interrupt is a phrase, question, or statement that disrupts what people expect to see. Think of it like throwing cold water on a sleepy feed.

Examples:

“Your followers don’t owe you engagement.”

“Stop trying to go viral. Start trying to matter.”

“You’re not shadowbanned. You’re just boring.”

The shock isn’t random, it’s intentional. Pattern interrupts work best when they’re tied to truth.

5. Start with the End in Mind

Before you write hooks, decide what you want your audience to feel or do. Every good hook has a direction. It either makes people:

Curious (so they keep reading)
Challenged (so they rethink something) or
Seen (so they engage)

For example, if your content teaches something, start your hook with tension or an insight:

Example (teaching post):

“You’re losing customers because your captions read like brochures.”

If you’re telling a story, start with emotion or conflict:

Example (storytelling post):

“Last year, I almost quit my business. Then one DM changed everything.”

When you know your goal, your hook becomes sharper and clearer.

6. Borrow What Already Works

Every niche has its own hook patterns. The secret is not copying, but customising.

Pay attention to hooks that go viral in your space. Deconstruct them. Ask:

What emotion are they tapping into?
What format did they use? Do they use questions, statements, or contrast?
Can I twist it for my own message?

Example:

Viral format: “No one talks about how hard this is.”

Adapted version for entrepreneurs: “No one talks about how hard it is to sell when you’re not confident in your offer.”
Same skeleton. Different muscles.

7. Numbers and Contradictions Still Work

Lists and contradictions are classics because they anchor attention in clarity and surprise.

Examples:

“3 marketing mistakes you’re probably making right now.”

“You don’t need more followers. You need better storytelling.”

“I lost money after my first viral video—here’s why.”

Numbers create order; contradictions create tension. Combine both, and your audience can’t resist clicking.

8. Read Your Hook Out Loud

Good hooks sound conversational, not academic. When you read your hook out loud, you’ll know if it lands or limps. If it sounds like a tweet, you’re on track. If it sounds like a press release, rewrite it.

Quick tip:

Avoid filler phrases like:
“In this article, I will explain…”
“Today we’re going to talk about…”

Instead, dive straight into action or emotion.

9. Match the Hook to the Platform

Not every platform rewards the same kind of hook. Tailor it to each platform’s patterns.

Instagram / TikTok: quick, emotional, or visual hooks.

Example: “You’re editing your videos wrong.”

LinkedIn: insight-driven or reflective hooks.

Example: “Your content isn’t getting ignored, it’s just not saying anything new.”

YouTube: promise-based hooks.

Example: “I turned one viral video into N500k in 30 days. Here’s the blueprint.”

10. Test, Don’t Assume

Even experts miss sometimes. The best creators test multiple hooks for the same idea.

If you’re posting on social media, try A/B testing your captions or intros. Post two versions of a hook on different days and measure engagement.

For emails or ads, tools like Headline Analyzer or CoSchedule can help you score your hook strength. You’ll start to notice patterns, certain tones, words, or emotions that make your audience tick.

Conclusion

Learning to write hooks that stop the scroll isn’t just about clever wording. It’s about empathy and timing. You’re not writing for everyone, you’re writing for the one person who’s scrolling past, thinking, “Does anyone get what I’m feeling?”

If your hook can make them stop, think, or smile, you’ve already won half the battle. The rest is just storytelling. So, the next time you sit to create, don’t start with your topic. Start with your hook.