Definition
In book marketing, a hook is the first line of a video, post or blurb that grabs attention. On short-video platforms, viewers decide in about a second whether to keep watching, so the hook should be on screen and spoken immediately.
Common hook types: a provocative question ('What would you trade for one more day?'), a trope promise ('enemies to lovers, but he's the villain'), a striking line from the book, a bold contrast, or a direct address to the reader ('If you loved X, read this').
Hooks should be honest to the book. A misleading hook may get views but disappoints readers, and it can hurt reviews.
Practical tips
- Write 10 hooks and test 3.
- Put the hook as on-screen text in the first frame.
- Match the hook to the genre's emotional promise.