The Hook Formula I Use for Every Reel (With Real Examples)

I've written over 400 Reel hooks in the past year. About 60 of them went over 100K views. The rest flopped. Here's the pattern I noticed in the winners.

What a Hook Actually Is

A hook isn't your title. It's not your thumbnail. It's the first 1-3 seconds of your Reel that determines whether someone keeps watching or scrolls away. In those 3 seconds, the viewer makes an unconscious decision: is this worth my time?

My 4 Hook Templates That Work

Template 1: The "I Tried" Hook

Structure: "I [did something extreme] for [time period]. Here's what happened."

Example: "I posted a Reel every single day for 30 days. My growth actually slowed down."

Why it works: It promises a story with a counterintuitive ending. People stay to see the twist.

Template 2: The "Stop Doing" Hook

Structure: "Stop [common action]. Do this instead."

Example: "Stop using 30 hashtags. Use 3. Here's why."

Why it works: It challenges a common belief. People feel compelled to defend their position or learn something new.

Template 3: The "Number" Hook

Structure: "[Number] [things/tips/mistakes] that [result]."

Example: "The 3 lighting mistakes that make your Reels look amateur."

Why it works: Specific numbers feel actionable and scannable.

Template 4: The "Question" Hook

Structure: "What if [provocative scenario]?"

Example: "What if you could grow your Instagram without showing your face?"

Why it works: It creates an information gap. The viewer needs to know the answer.

The Hooks That Never Work

"Hey guys, welcome back to my channel." Nobody cares. Start with value, not introduction.

"Today I'm going to talk about..." Just talk about it. Don't announce it.

"So I was thinking..." Sounds hesitant. Confident hooks perform better.

How I Test Hooks Before Filming

I write 10 hooks for every Reel I plan. Then I read them out loud to myself. If I wouldn't keep scrolling to watch, I rewrite it.

The best test: show the hook to a friend. If they ask "and then what happened?" you've got a winner.

Related resources: Explore more at the Meta Business Help Center and Google Analytics.