/hook-generator

name: hook-generator
description: |
  Generates powerful hooks, headlines, CTAs, and attention-grabbing opening lines.
  Uses proven formulas and psychological triggers. Use this skill when you need
  subject lines, social media hooks, ad headlines, CTAs, or any content that must
  capture attention instantly.
allowed-tools:
  - Bash
  - Read
  - Write
  - Glob
  - Grep
  - AskUserQuestion

Hook Generator Skill

> **QUICK REFERENCE** > - **Output folder**: `output/content/hooks/` > - **File naming**: `YYYY-MM-DD_topic_hooks.md` > - **Sample script**: `scripts/samples/sample_hook_generation.py` > - **Run with**: `.venv\Scripts\python.exe scripts/samples/sample_hook_generation.py` > - **8 hook formulas**: Question, Stat, Bold Claim, Story, How-To, Contrarian, Social Proof, Urgency > - **Python**: ALWAYS use `.venv\Scripts\python.exe` (never bare `python`)

Creates attention-grabbing hooks, headlines, and CTAs that stop the scroll and drive action.

Scope of This Skill

**This skill handles:**

• Email subject lines
• Social media hooks (first 3 lines)
• Ad headlines
• Blog/article titles
• Video titles and thumbnails text
• Call-to-action copy
• Landing page headlines
• Webinar/event titles
• Slide headlines

**NOT handled by this skill:**

• Full email body → Use `email-copywriter`
• Full social posts → Use `social-media-writer`
• Full articles → Use `blog-article-writer`

The Psychology of Hooks

Emotional Triggers

| Trigger | Why It Works | Example | |---------|--------------|---------| | **Curiosity** | Information gap creates tension | "The one thing top creators never tell you" | | **Fear** | Loss aversion is powerful | "The mistake that's killing your growth" | | **Urgency** | Scarcity drives action | "24 hours left to change your career" | | **Surprise** | Pattern interrupt grabs attention | "Why I stopped posting on LinkedIn" | | **Specificity** | Concrete beats vague | "How I grew from 0 to 10K in 47 days" | | **Controversy** | Disagree = engagement | "Unpopular opinion: Daily posting is a scam" | | **Social Proof** | Validation reduces risk | "Why 50,000+ marketers read this daily" | | **Identity** | People want to belong | "What elite performers do differently" |

Power Words

**Curiosity Words:** secret, hidden, revealed, discover, uncover, truth, mystery, insider, little-known

**Urgency Words:** now, today, limited, deadline, expires, final, last chance, immediately

**Exclusivity Words:** exclusive, members-only, invitation, private, elite, premium, VIP

**Transformation Words:** transform, revolutionize, breakthrough, unlock, master, dominate, supercharge

**Trust Words:** proven, research-backed, data-driven, guaranteed, tested, verified, authentic

**Negative Words (high engagement):** mistake, wrong, fail, avoid, stop, never, warning, problem, crisis

Hook Formulas

Universal Formulas

1. **The Curiosity Gap**

   "What [authority/group] know about [topic] that you don't"
   "The [adjective] truth about [topic]"
   "What nobody tells you about [topic]"

2. **The Contrarian**

   "Why [common advice] is wrong"
   "Unpopular opinion: [statement]"
   "Stop [common action]. Do this instead."

3. **The Number**

   "[Number] [things] to [achieve result]"
   "I spent [time/money] learning [topic]. Here's [what I learned]"
   "[Number] mistakes [killing/hurting] your [goal]"

4. **The Story**

   "I [failed/succeeded] at [thing]. Here's what I learned."
   "[Time] ago, I was [bad state]. Now I'm [good state]."
   "This [event] changed everything about how I [do thing]"

5. **The Question**

   "What if [possibility]?"
   "Why do [successful people] always [do thing]?"
   "Are you making these [topic] mistakes?"

6. **The Direct Benefit**

   "How to [achieve result] in [timeframe]"
   "Get [result] without [pain point]"
   "The fastest way to [achieve goal]"

7. **The Social Proof**

   "How [person/company] [achieved result]"
   "[Number] [people] are already [doing thing]"
   "[Authority] recommends this [approach]"

8. **The Challenge**

   "Most people can't [do thing]. Can you?"
   "Only [percentage] of [people] know this"
   "The [topic] test that stumps [most people]"

Platform-Specific Hooks

Email Subject Lines (28-39 chars optimal)

**Formulas:**

• `Quick question about [their thing]`
• `[Name], [curiosity hook]`
• `re: [topic they care about]`
• `[Number] [things] for [result]`
• `Did you see this?`
• `I noticed [observation]`
• `Bad news about [topic]...`
• `You're invited: [exclusive thing]`

**Examples:**

Quick question about your content
3 things killing your email opens
Did you see this LinkedIn post?
You're doing [topic] wrong
I have a confession...
This changed my business

Social Media (First 3 Lines)

**LinkedIn/Facebook:**

[Bold statement or question]

↓

[Promise of what's coming]

**Twitter:**

[Pattern interrupt or bold claim]:

**Examples:**

I fired my best client yesterday.

Here's why it was the best decision I ever made:
---
Stop creating content.

Start creating conversations.

Here's the difference:
---
$0 to $100K in 12 months.

No paid ads. No big following. No luck.

Just this system:

Video Titles (60 chars max)

**Formulas:**

• `How I [achieved result] in [timeframe]`
• `I Tried [thing] for [time]. Here's What Happened`
• `[Number] [Topic] Mistakes You're Making Right Now`
• `Why [Common Thing] Doesn't Work (And What Does)`
• `The [Topic] They Don't Want You to Know`

Ad Headlines

**Formulas:**

• `[Result] in [timeframe] or your money back`
• `Finally, a [product] that actually [works]`
• `[Number]+ [people] can't be wrong`
• `Tired of [pain point]? Try this.`
• `What [authority] uses for [result]`

Landing Page Headlines

**Formulas:**

• `[Big result] without [big pain]`
• `The [solution] for [specific audience]`
• `[Result] guaranteed, or [safety net]`

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