Your first slide decides whether the rest of the post gets seen. Most people see slide one and nothing else, so the hook carries the whole post. Treat it like a headline, not a title.
What a Hook Has to Do
A good hook does three things in under ten words:
- Names who it is for, so the right viewer feels addressed.
- Promises something specific, such as a result, a secret, or a mistake.
- Leaves a gap, so swiping feels like the only way to close it.
Six Patterns That Work
The specific number. "5 free tools that replaced my $200 software stack." Numbers signal that the post is structured and quick to read.
The contrarian. "Stop posting once a day. Do this instead." Disagreement creates curiosity.
The mistake. "The caption mistake costing you reach." People are more motivated by avoiding loss than by gaining something.
The audience callout. "If you are a new creator, read this." Direct address filters in the right people.
The result first. "How I got 40k views from one slideshow." Lead with the outcome, then explain.
The question. "Why do your posts get views but no follows?" Works best when the question names a real frustration.
Mistakes That Kill Hooks
- Being vague. "Some tips for better content" gives nobody a reason to swipe.
- Burying the point. If the benefit appears on slide three, nobody gets there.
- Overpromising. A hook the post does not deliver on costs you trust and watch time.
- Cramming text. Large type, few words. If it is not readable on a small phone screen in a glance, shorten it.
Design the Hook, Not Just the Words
On a slideshow the first slide is a visual too. Use a clear, high-contrast photo, keep the text large, and place it where thumbs and interface elements will not cover it. In the MakeShorty editor you can drag the text to any position and preview it at phone size before you export.
Test Systematically
Do not rely on instinct. Make the same post with two different hooks and compare saves and follows, not just views. After ten or so posts you will see which patterns fit your audience, and you can reuse them. Generating several hook options per post makes this cheap, since you pick the strongest rather than settling for the first draft.
A Quick Checklist
Before you post, ask: does it name the audience, make a specific promise, and leave a gap? If it is missing one, rewrite it. Thirty seconds on the hook is worth more than thirty minutes on the other slides.