The Art of the Hook: How to Create Engaging Video Intros

The first 15 seconds of your video are the most important. This is the "hook," where viewers decide whether to keep watching or click away. A strong hook is the key to high audience retention, which is a major signal the YouTube algorithm uses to recommend your content. Master the hook, and you'll master watch time.

Proven Hook Formulas for Your Intros

Don't start your videos with a long, branded intro or by saying "Hey guys, welcome back..." Get straight to the point with one of these powerful hook formulas:

• The "Problem/Solution" Hook: Start by stating a common problem your audience faces, then immediately promise the solution. (e.g., "Are you tired of your videos getting zero views? In this video, I'll show you three ways to fix that right now.")
• The "In Medias Res" Hook: Start in the middle of the action. Show the most exciting, dramatic, or visually interesting moment from later in the video, then cut back to the beginning to explain how you got there.
• The "Bold Statement" Hook: Make a surprising, controversial, or counter-intuitive statement that grabs attention. (e.g., "Everything you know about making coffee is wrong.")
• The "Question" Hook: Ask a direct, thought-provoking question that your viewer will want to know the answer to. (e.g., "What if you could edit your videos twice as fast?")

What to AVOID in Your Intro

• Long, Animated Logos: A 2-3 second branded stinger is fine, but a 10-second animated intro is a retention killer.
• Asking for Likes and Subscribes: Don't ask for anything before you've provided value. Save your calls to action for the end, perhaps using end screens.
• Vague Promises: Be specific. Instead of "I'm going to talk about video editing," say "I'm going to show you a simple trick in DaVinci Resolve that will save you an hour of work." Check out our guide to the best editing software if you're looking for recommendations.