In the digital world,Ongoing Archives first impressions are everything. If you have a good enough hook in a video, you can increase your audience and draw viewers in right off the bat — but it's not as easy as it looks.
At VidCon 2025, Jason Gandy, a content creator and instructor at Quantum Courses, walked an audience through exactly how to hook viewers in the first three seconds with humor, pacing, and smart edits during the panel "Hook, Line, and LOL: Making the First Three Seconds Count."
Gandy says that a bad hook leads to low view retention, but there are four ways to set up a hook that can draw people in:
Bold statement
Gandy recommends making a "specific and direct" bold statement that "challenges common beliefs, promises value or benefits," and, eventually, your video should back that up. "Open with something shocking or provocative," Gandy said.
Ask an intriguing question
These questions should "spark curiosity and hook viewers into watching the rest of your video to find the answer." They should create an emotional pull for your viewer and hint at the payoff.
Humor
Creators can also "open with a quick, relatable, or unexpected joke," but make sure you keep it short and snappy. You can use gestures and props to add more humor to these first three seconds, too.
Storytelling
Gandy also recommends opening with a "brief narrative or story that captivates emotions, sparks curiosity or relates to your viewer's experiences." If you start with a story, keep in mind that you'll need to keep it short and relatable.
"In order to hook viewers with any of the methods we've discussed so far, you have to use pacing and fast cuts," Gandy said. This "creates an engaging experience" for viewers. Use audio cues like music and sound effects, visual cues like b roll and animations, and tight editing.
Gandy didn't touch on visual hooks, but plenty of users on TikTok have recommendations for exactly how to do that — like pulling your camera out of a drawer, opening it like a book, or grabbing your phone out of a fridge.
To find more examples of good visual hooks, think about the videos that have drawn you in quickly, and study how that creator accomplished that. You can also search "hooks" on TikTok.
Mashable will be live at the Anaheim Convention Center this week, covering VidCon 2025. Check back in the days ahead at Mashable.com, where we’ll be talking to your favorite creators, covering the latest trends, and sharing how creators are growing their followings, their influence, and making a living online.
Topics Instagram TikTok YouTube VidCon
'Deadpool 2' shares first look at DominoTwo fiction writers built a sprawling, hilarious horror story on TwitterMark Hamill sends the best DM to fan who asked him to verify old Star Wars autographHomePod firmware may have just confirmed two major facts about iPhone 8Airport worker in France punches a passenger holding a babyMeet the Twitter bot that will give you all the Trump news you ever needDaenerys told Jon Snow she's the 'last Targaryen' and Twitter said noHow the podcast boom is finally forcing radio to become more diverseWho's right about AI: Mark Zuckerberg or Elon Musk?HomePod firmware may have just confirmed two major facts about iPhone 818 Yahoo Answers fails that will leave you scratching your headThousands evacuate after Barcelona concert stage erupts in flameWatch behindBowling ladies cover Beyoncé to try and save their clubJason Bateman made every 'Arrested Development' fan drool with a single tweetConspiracy theory suggests that Outback Steakhouse is the center of a satanic cultConspiracy theory suggests that Outback Steakhouse is the center of a satanic cultSuper rare copy of 'Super Mario Bros.' sells for over $30,000Kit Harington confirms Jon is definitely crushing on Dany in 'Game of Thrones' episode 3Milk swirling around in coffee is better than latte art 12 remote places to unplug from this suffocating election campaign Fans are freaking out about the 'Gilmore Girls' trailer Is Airbnb the reason renters can't find an affordable place to live in Sydney? Berlin police post creepy pictures to warn about creepy clowns What to expect from Microsoft's big event on Wednesday Here's proof that Ellie Goulding would definitely beat you in a fight Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian is no longer a punchline Delta Air Lines now lets you obsessively track your luggage in real Australia sweetens deal for backpackers looking for a working holiday Surfer Lives Matter hashtag appears in Australian town after shark attacks AT&T rakes in cash by selling spy service to law enforcement Twitter is reportedly laying off 300 employees Living succulent nail art is now a beauty trend on Instagram Hero Orlando Bloom rescued a wounded dog One of Rihanna's backup dancers is missing New study shows why you think LaCroix quenches your thirst more than tap water Fnatic is skipping ESL 'CS:GO' Pro League and bringing back an MVP The story of Otto, the creator of Uber's self Study finds brain tissue 'changes' in kids who played one season of football Carve your own 'Overwatch' pumpkins with these spooky stencils
3.1759s , 8230.1796875 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【Ongoing Archives】,Miracle Information Network