TikTok hooks: 60 examples and a free hook generator

Curiosity hooks

Open a question the viewer needs closed.

1. I didn’t believe this about [topic] until I tried it myself.
2. Nobody warned me about this part of [topic].
3. This is the [topic] mistake I made for two years.
4. There’s a reason your [result] isn’t working, and it’s not what you think.
5. I found out why [common problem] keeps happening.
6. The cheapest [thing] I own does a better job than the expensive one.
7. Wait until you see what happens at the end.
8. I tested this so you don’t have to.
9. This one setting changed how my [thing] looks.
10. Here’s what [professionals] don’t tell their clients.
11. I asked [expert] one question and the answer surprised me.
12. You’ve been doing [everyday task] wrong. Me too.

Direct-address hooks

Call out exactly who the video is for.

1. If you’re a beginner at [topic], save this.
2. If you [specific situation], this is for you.
3. Stop scrolling if you’ve ever [relatable problem].
4. This is your sign to finally [action].
5. To the person who [specific situation]: try this.
6. If you only have 10 minutes a day for [topic], watch this.
7. Parents who [situation], you need this.
8. If [tool] confuses you, give me 30 seconds.
9. For anyone stuck at [plateau or problem].
10. If you’re over 30 and starting [topic], listen.

List and number hooks

Promise a clear, countable payoff.

1. 3 [topic] tips I wish I knew on day one.
2. 5 things I stopped buying for [topic].
3. The only 3 [items] you actually need.
4. 4 signs you’re ready to [next step].
5. 2 [topic] habits that changed everything for me.
6. 7 [topic] myths, ranked from worst to least bad.
7. 3 free tools that replaced my paid ones.
8. My [topic] routine in 4 steps.
9. 5 [topic] questions I get every week, answered.
10. One thing to do, one thing to stop doing.

Story hooks

Start in the middle of something happening.

1. So this happened at [place] today.
2. A customer asked me something I couldn’t answer.
3. Six months ago I couldn’t [skill]. Here’s today.
4. I almost quit [topic] last year. This is why I didn’t.
5. My first [result] was a disaster. Let me show you.
6. I spent [amount] on [thing] so you don’t have to.
7. This was my worst day at [job] and I’m telling you everything.
8. Day 1 of trying [challenge] for 30 days.
9. Here’s how I went from [before] to [after].
10. I made one change and my [metric] doubled.

Contrarian and opinion hooks

Take a side. Comments follow.

1. Unpopular opinion: [common advice] is wrong.
2. I’m going to say what every [profession] is thinking.
3. [Popular thing] is overrated, and here’s why.
4. Stop listening to people who tell you to [common tip].
5. You don’t need [expensive thing] to [result].
6. [Topic] is not as hard as people make it look.
7. Hot take: [opinion]. Change my mind.
8. Everyone is copying this trend and it doesn’t work.

Visual and text-on-screen hooks

For videos where the first frame does the talking.

1. Before / after, with the “after” shown first.
2. Text on screen: “Watch the [thing] in the corner.”
3. Start on the finished result, then rewind to the start.
4. Text on screen: “POV: you finally [achievement].”
5. A close-up of the problem with the caption “fixing this.”
6. Text on screen: “Rating every [item] I own.”
7. Hold up two options: “Which one would you pick?”
8. A timer on screen: “Can I do this in 60 seconds?”
9. Text on screen: “Things in my [place] that just make sense.”
10. Show the price tag first, then the product.

Tips before you film

Questions

More idea lists

• Faceless ideas
• Small business ideas
• Gym & fitness
• Study & StudyTok
• Food reviews
• POV ideas