If you’ve ever felt like your UGC videos aren’t getting noticed — or you keep hearing crickets when pitching brands — you might need to work on one powerful little thing:
👉 Your hook.
The hook is the first 1–3 seconds of your video, and it’s the single most important part of your content. If it doesn’t grab attention, no one sticks around to watch the rest — and that’s a problem whether you’re filming for TikTok or creating paid UGC for a brand.
Here are 7 hook strategies that actually work, plus examples for each so you can apply them today.
1. Start with a Surprising Question
Questions naturally make viewers think — and the brain wants to stick around to hear the answer.
Examples:
“Did you know your shampoo might be causing your breakouts?”
“Why are moms obsessed with this $15 sleep spray?”
Why it works:
It makes the viewer need to keep watching to resolve the curiosity.
2. Lead with a Bold or Weird Statement
Shock factor works — as long as it makes sense for the product and target audience.
Examples:
“I haven’t used deodorant in 2 years and I don’t stink.”
“This pillow is ugly—but I’ve never slept better.”
Why it works:
The brain is wired to notice patterns. Breaking one (safely!) makes people pause.
3. Tap Into a Relatable Problem
Start with the pain point your audience is struggling with — ideally one the product solves.
Examples:
“I was spending $100/month on coffee until I found this.”
“I tried everything for hormonal acne—nothing worked until this.”
Why it works:
People want to feel seen. If you reflect their issue, they’ll keep watching.
4. Dramatize a Common Mistake or Frustration
People often relate to struggle more than perfection.
Examples:
“I was doing my skincare routine all wrong… for years.”
“I didn’t know this one thing was making my bloating worse.”
Why it works:
It invites the viewer into a transformation arc. They want to know the solution.
5. Unbox or Reveal Something Immediately
Open the package or show the product right away — no fluff.
Examples:
[Opens box] “Okay I’ve been dying to try this collagen powder…”
[Holding product] “Here’s what no one tells you about this thing.”
Why it works:
Immediate visual interest + product placement = UGC gold.
6. Use a POV or Roleplay Format
Put the viewer into a scenario that feels familiar — especially one that’s funny, dramatic, or exaggerated.
Examples:
“POV: You finally try the greens powder that everyone on TikTok swears by.”
“Me convincing my husband this moisturizer is mine and he can’t steal it again.”
Why it works:
It feels like entertainment, not a pitch — which makes it shareable and brand-friendly.
7. Overlay Text with a Relatable Statement or Stat
If you’re using voiceover or music, add overlay text to catch the viewer mid-scroll.
Examples:
“I spent $45 on this shampoo to fix my dry scalp. Here’s what happened.”
“75% of people are magnesium deficient. I was one of them.”
Why it works:
Text adds an instant layer of context — and gives the viewer a reason to stop scrolling.
Want to Practice? Try This Hook Exercise:
Pick any product near you — skincare, supplement, kitchen gadget, whatever.
Now write out 3 hooks for that product using 3 of the strategies above.
Then record a short 5–10 second clip for each one and watch them back.
Which one feels the most scroll-stopping? Which one feels too slow?
You’ll be shocked how much more watchable your content becomes when you get the hook right.
Final Thought: The Hook Is the Audition. The Rest of the Video Is the Performance.
If you want to get hired as a UGC creator — especially without a big following — the hook is how you prove you understand how to keep attention.
It’s not about being flashy or loud — it’s about being relevant, relatable, and real.
