Add Hooks to Your Storytelling on TikTok

Once your video finds an audience, the next challenge is to grab their attention.  This is where the “hook” comes in. It is the all-important first few seconds that influence whether someone will keep watching or scrolling. The hook is undoubtedly one of the hacks for creating successful content. 

The hook is what draws people in. Within a few seconds, it sets the tone and expectations of what’s to come. There are many different ways to grip people from the get-go which can be a game-changer in terms of performance. Let’s learn more about applying a concerted effort to create a compelling start.

The first step is to put yourself in the shoes of the audience. What are they seeing, and how are they interpreting it? Engage them with a point of interest so that they’re happy to give you their precious time. The hook should link to the video’s purpose of educating, informing, or entertaining and follow the TikTok appeal of seamlessly blending in with organic content (even though it's branded). 

When you nail the hook, you’ll be able to deliver the key messages in a way that flows and brings your audience along through the rest of the video. Not only does the hook depend on the type of content, but also on who your audience is. Knowing your demographic on a deep level will help your brand connect with them successfully. This includes an understanding of what they’ll relate to, what they enjoy seeing, what captivates them, and what will resonate with them.

The art of the hook is at the heart of creative storytelling. It is all about setting the scene in an attractive and compelling way. This can involve drawing on precise attraction that dives right in, or general attraction which draws on sparking interest more broadly. 

9 Types of Hooks

Here’s a look at 8 types of hooks which you can incorporate into your TikTok videos. 

1. Comment Replies

Replying to comments with a video can be a great hook. The comment will appear in a box for the audience to read as they cast their eyes on the video. This is a great and engaging way to interact with your community and present them with answers to their burning questions.

@firstwefeast Replying to @portulaca ♬ jennifer lawrence hot ones what do you mean - Firstwefeast

2. Relatable Problems

Posing a problem statement is an immediate way to draw the audience in. Appealing to the pain points and presenting the solution is one of the best sales techniques.

@mannyisokay#question from @mannyisokay ♬ original sound - I'm just here

3. Laying It Out

Laying out the pain points with helpful hacks is a valuable form of content. When you can share new and helpful information, your audience will be hooked!

4. Highlights

Highlighting promotional details and discounts is an easy way to appeal to your audience’s needs upfront and ensure that you have their attention with an instant and upfront appeal.  

5. Unboxing and Interactions

Unboxing clips are popular types of content as they give the audience a sense of excitement and first-hand insight into what they can experience for themselves. Creating a first-person perspective of receiving a package and unveiling it can be highly effective. 

@sleepyydragon 🍑 glittery blindboxes ✨ Piano 🫶🏻🫶🏻 i might start a collection for her she’s so adorable #sanrio#blindbox#unboxing♬ You - Vietra

6. Reviews

The importance of ‘word of mouth’ is a tale as old as time in marketing. In today’s social media age, sharing reviews and testimonials is the best way to capitalise on that. Sharing authentic feedback can be a highly influential piece of content and one which draws the audience who wants to know and see more.

@annathepeach definitely a 5 star restaurant with 5 star flavors and service! #iniristorante#oceats#ocfood#asianfusioncuisine#mukbang#foodreview♬ Anybody by shae - shae

7. Lists

Listicles are important and create the effect of needing to know more. These are quick ways to grab attention and relay highlights in an easily digestible way.

@cocokindskincare You of course don’t need all these steps at once, but if you choose to do so this is the order we recommend! Always do what works for you #cocokind♬ deja vu - favsoundds

8. Attention-grabbing visuals 

As a video app, TikTok is an ideal platform to share attention-grabbing visuals. This can work well with product reveals or content featuring surprising takes.

9. Focusing on Target Audiences

One-on-one talks mimic a personal conversation between the viewer and the speaker. When it's direct and personal, it’s easy to draw in audiences.

There you have it – a guide to creating effective hooks for the beginning of your TikTok videos. A strong start leads to an engaged middle and a positive ending to the video. Once you have that mastered, you can cultivate a following which expresses a brand’s personality, deepens trust, and gives it an enhanced ability to tempt audiences.