tldr: say the thing that makes people stop scrolling.
Short-form video moves fast. Most people decide in 2–3 seconds whether they stay or keep scrolling.
Your hook is the part that grabs them by the collar and says:
“Wait! Don’t miss this.”
Before you film anything, make a list of hooks you can pull from. Think of them like the first line of a song: if it hits, they’ll stay for the rest.
Why This Matters
A scroll-stopping hook isn’t about “beating the algorithm.”
It’s about making someone feel something instantly.
A good hook:
- Freezes someone mid-scroll like they just heard a lyric that punched them in the chest.
- Makes them curious enough to turn the volume on.
- Gives quick context so your music hits harder when it drops in.
How to Create Hooks That Actually Hit
1) Start With the Real Story
Every song has a moment, a mistake, a confession, a joke, a heartbreak behind it.
Turn that into your first line.
Think: What would I tell a friend if they said “what’s this song about?”
Examples:
- “This song started because I couldn’t sleep for three nights.”
- “I wrote this after someone walked out of a session.”
- “This lyric came from a text I never sent.”
2) Lean All the Way Into Emotion
People stay for things they feel, not things they “should watch.”
Try:
- “The moment I realised I wasn’t in love anymore.”
- “This track is me finally saying what I couldn’t say out loud.”
- “I didn’t know this song would hurt until I recorded it.”
3) Use Curiosity + Contrast
Make them think: Wait… what happened?
For example:
- “I almost scrapped this song. Now it’s my favourite thing I’ve made.”
- “Everyone told me this idea was stupid… so I did it anyway.”
- “This is the lyric that changed the whole song.”
4) Build a Hook Bank
Before your next content session, write 5–10 hooks in your Notes app.
Different types help you stay flexible. You could have:
- studio hooks
- heartbreak hooks
- funny “artist life” hooks
- storytime hooks
- live performance hooks
- Duo reaction hooks
- lyric meaning hooks
The Payoff
When you start your videos with a hook you planned, you never sit there thinking:
“Uhh… what do I say?”
Instead, you open strong.
People stay longer.
Your music lands deeper.
And your content feels intentional instead of forced.
Ready to pitch your music to Spotify and Apple Music editors?
Head back to the un:hurd app to explore more tools and resources for playlist promotion.
Not an un:hurd user yet?
Join thousands of independent artists who are using un:hurd to streamline their music marketing and maximise their impact. Sign up today!
