In the digital world989 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
How to turn on 3D buildings in Google Maps navigationWordle today: The answer and hints for April 18Alibaba Cloud launches AI video creation tool Live Portrait · TechNodeBest fitness tracking deal: Save 10% on a Whoop membership and get the Whoop 4.0 for free'Shōgun's writers love all the Blackthorne and Yabushige memesBeijing forbids generative AI in online medical prescriptions · TechNodeiOS 17.5 beta 2 is here: 5 new features on your iPhoneBest litter box deal: Save up to 20% on selfNissan’s China JV auto brand to use Dongfeng Motor’s EV platform · TechNodeHonor will not establish a new subsidiary in India despite rumors · TechNodeBilibili spins off organizationFacebook releases 'Community Help' disaster relief for Facebook LiteBest fitness deal: Get a rowing machine for just $206 at AmazonBest TV deal: Get a 32Bilibili achieves $731 million quarterly revenue, with $213 million net loss · TechNodeEast Buy to join Taobao Live in an effort to expand consumer base: report · TechNodeHonor to launch new phones in India, with former Realme CEO joining the company · TechNodeHow to backup iPhoneBest litter box deal: Save up to 20% on selfBest headphones deal: The Shokz OpenFit wireless headphones are under $150 at Amazon 'Friends: The Reunion': The One With The Irish Uncle Matt LeBlanc Meme NYC's mayoral election write Russell Crowe and Delta Goodrem poke fun at magazine headline implying they're a couple Australia wants to throw Prince Harry his bachelor party How to see the photos NASA's Hubble telescope took on your birthday How to connect Google Home to Netflix Randi Zuckerberg tweets about sexual harassment on Alaska Air flight Gross Donald Trump quote from 2000 is another reminder that he sucks NASA Mars rover sends back photos of shimmering, otherworldly clouds NBC employees reveal chilling details of Matt Lauer's alleged sexual harassment Mutual masturbation can bring you closer to your partner, even over FaceTime Lyft redesigns its electric bicycle with built Athlete's #MeToo story sheds light on Asia's reluctance to discuss sexual assault U.S. tourists arrested for baring their butts outside a Thai temple for Instagram 'A Quiet Place Part II' features stunning cameo: The infamous whiteboard Xiaomi shows off phone that can charge to 100% in 8 minutes 7 details from the '101 Dalmatians' book that 'Cruella' left out Hotel carpet Instagram is the only Instagram we need How to watch Netflix (and more!) together online without being in the same room Internet rallies behind a dog named Jack that's banned from the state of Maryland
1.7678s , 10137.90625 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【1989 Archives】,Miracle Information Network