The hook decides whether anyone sees the rest of your content. AI is excellent at hooks because it can produce dozens of variations quickly. You bring the judgment to pick the right one. Here are prompts that work.
The master hook prompt
“You are a short-form content strategist. Write 20 hooks for a [format: Reel, carousel, caption] about [topic] for [audience]. The content delivers: [what the viewer gets]. Mix these styles: curiosity, bold statement, call-out, number list, story, mistake. Each hook under 12 words. No clickbait that the content doesn’t deliver. Label each with its style.”
Prompts by hook style
Curiosity
“Write 10 curiosity hooks about [topic] that make [audience] want to know the answer, without giving it away.”
Bold statement
“Write 10 bold, slightly contrarian hooks about [topic] that a [role] could defend with evidence.”
Call-out
“Write 10 hooks that call out [specific audience] by situation, for example ‘If you just [situation]…’.”
Mistakes
“Write 10 hooks about mistakes [audience] make with [topic].”
Results
“Write 10 hooks about how to achieve [result] using these real details: [details]. Do not invent numbers.”
Story
“Here is a story: [story]. Write 10 hooks that start at the most interesting moment.”
Visual hooks for Reels
“For a Reel about [topic], suggest 5 visual openings for the first two seconds, each paired with on-screen text under 8 words.”
Carousel cover hooks
“Write 10 carousel cover headlines for a carousel about [topic]. Under 8 words each. Make the reader feel they’ll lose something by not swiping.”
Hook prompt packs
Viral Hooks & Captions Prompts
Faceless Brand Content Prompts
How to pick the winner
- Is it specific? Specific beats general every time.
- Is it true? The content must deliver the promise.
- Is it short? Can it be read in a second?
- Is it for someone? Would your ideal customer feel called out?
- Would you say it? If it sounds unlike you, rewrite it.
Test hooks
Use the same content with two different hooks a few weeks apart and compare reach and retention in Insights. Over time you’ll learn which hook styles your audience responds to, and you can tell the AI: “Our best performing hooks are like these: [examples]. Write 10 more in this style.”
For 75 ready-made examples, see our Instagram hook examples. Turn hooks into full scripts with Reels script prompts, and get the full system in ChatGPT for social media.