40 Viral HOOK ideas for Instagram
The secret to catching someones attention (& keeping it) with your video is a bloody good hook (or, 2 hooks!). If you struggle with coming up with ideas, you’re in the right place because today I’m giving you my list of 40 viral hook ideas to suit a range of different content.
Something I wanted to tell you before we start however is, like anything that is ‘trendy’ initially, hooks have now become less effective over the last year. I’m talking about relatively ‘lazy’ hooks like 3 Restaurants to love in Sydney or 5 apps I use as a content creator. You could get away with using these types of hooks in the beginning but now that more and more people have cottoned-on to implementing hooks, they are becoming overused and therefore don’t have the ‘wow’ factor they used to. So, use these suggested hooks but also take note of my TIPS & TRICKS (on the last page of the PDF) for extra efficiency!
WHAT’S A BLOODY HOOK?!
If you’re new to my page, I’m an Australian content creator with a background in fashion modelling and copywriting (I used to run my own copywriting business). So, I’m a writer-cross-model-cross-content-Creator!
To explain, a hook is something ‘visual’ or ‘written’ that sparks an interest or curiosity in someone and encourages them to ‘keep watching’ or ‘find out more’. Importantly, it belongs in the first few seconds of your video (or the first slide of a carousel post! You can have visual hooks, written hooks and vocal hooks (what you say or any sounds).
Once you get better at incorporating hooks into your videos, you can think about using a double hook or combining a visual hook with a written hook! For example, the reel I posted on my instagram to ‘promote’ this free hooks download (watch it here) uses a visual hook and a written hook. Visually, I’m sitting outside in the pouring rain in a nice outfit, wearing sunglasses which looks a bit ‘odd’ and makes the viewer pay attention. Then there’s the words on the screen - my written hook. I’ve also found that ‘storytelling’ and emotive hooks have worked really well for me in the past when I’ve ‘accidentally’ used them.
Speaking of which, we can categorise hooks according to their purpose. Five obvious categories include: STORYTELLING, PAIN POINT REFRAME, PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, QUESTION & EXPERTISE (see examples below)
Like I said earlier, hooks have become less effective over the last year (due to overuse) so it’s important to be creative with the way you use them. Stay away from ‘generic’ boring or lazy hooks & borrow some from my list below or write some yourself with the 5 main categories in mind!
DEFINITIONS & EXAMPLES:
Wanna *SKIP the definitions and examples and get straight to my LIST OF HOOKS?? Scroll straight to the very bottom of this page
For the rest of you:
STORYTELLING: Hooks using a storytelling format involve captivating narratives or anecdotes that draw readers or viewers into the content. They can be used to create emotional connections, illustrate concepts, or provide context for the main message of the content. Tiktok influencer, Indy Clinton springs to mind as a creator well known for her storytelling content on tiktok. She recently won “Tik Tok Creator of the year” for 2023.
PAIN POINT REFRAME: In this approach, your hook addresses a common problem or pain point experienced by the audience, reframing it in a new perspective or offering a solution. This can grab attention by empathising with the audiences struggles and presenting a fresh angle or solution. A lot of brands obviously ask me to use this type of hook when I’m creating an ad concept for them.
EXAMPLE: “Looking for a natural alternative to anti-wrinkle injections?” and “3 things that calm me immediately during bouts of anxiety”
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: This involves sharing relatable stories or experiences that resonate with the audience. By drawing on real life examples, you can establish authenticity, build trust and engage your audience on a personal level.
EXAMPLE: If you saw it, my accidental ‘crying’ reel that went viral here on instagram talking about my experience with invisalign (teeth straightening process) fits within this category. Visually, I was crying in the first few seconds of the video and I started off my saying: “So embarrassing, I just started crying like a complete loser in 7/11”
OTHER EXAMPLES: “The other day I broke down crying at the petrol station, here’s why” or “5 things I learnt from hitting rock bottom in my business”.
QUESTION HOOK: These provoke curiosity and encourage audience engagement. They can be used to stimulate critical thinking, spark interest in a topic, or invite your viewers to reflect on their own experiences or opinions.
EXAMPLE: Wondering why some people’s reels blow up and yours aren’t?! Let’s unpack these 3 skyrocketing accounts
EXPERTISE: These types of hooks highlight your authority or knowledge on a subject. This can be done by presenting intriguing insights, citing credible sources or offering unique perspectives that demonstrate your expertise and establish credibility with the audience. You have probably seen so many that brag about how much money they’ve made from a launch and then promote their course teaching you how to launch a product in 5 easy steps or what have you.
EXAMPLE: “Here’s 3 things I’d never allow my child to do as a Child forensic psychologist” or “The exact email template that secured me $10,000 in sales”