Social Media Hook Bank
The first line decides everything. This hook bank gives you a library of proven opening formulas, sorted by intent, so you never stare at a blank caption again and every post earns the second of attention it needs.
Social & GrowthPDF + CSV5 sectionsfree, no paywall
What you get
- A categorized library of proven hook formulas with fill-in-the-blank templates
- Hook types mapped to intent: curiosity, contrarian, listicle, story, and result
- A swipe section to log your own top-performing hooks over time
- Editable CSV for fast copy-paste plus a branded print-ready PDF
How to use this template
- 1. Pick a hook type for the goal. Choose the hook category that matches your post intent: curiosity for reach, result for credibility, contrarian for engagement.
- 2. Fill the template with your topic. Drop your specifics into the bracketed blanks. Keep it concrete; vague hooks like 'tips for growth' never stop the scroll.
- 3. Write three, pick one. Generate three hook variations per post and choose the one that creates the biggest open loop or curiosity gap.
- 4. Log what works. After posting, record hooks that beat your average view rate in the swipe section so your bank gets sharper over time.
Still choosing the tool you will run this in? Compare two side by side, or read how each profile is built in our review methodology.
What's inside
2 of 5 sections shown; the remaining 3 come with the free download.
What is a social media hook bank?
A hook bank is a saved list of opening lines that have already stopped the scroll, written as fill-in-the-blank formulas rather than finished sentences. You pick the formula that matches what the post is for, drop your own topic into the brackets, and get on with filming instead of staring at the caption box.
It is most useful for creators posting most days, when the first line is the slow part of the job. Keeping one also forces you to record which of your own openers beat your average view rate, and that private list gets sharper than any generic swipe file within a month.
Hook formula library
Swap your topic into the bracketed blanks. Each formula is built to open a curiosity gap fast.
| Hook type | Formula template | Filled example | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curiosity | The [topic] mistake nobody tells you about | The posting mistake nobody tells you about | Reach |
| Contrarian | Stop [common advice]. Do this instead. | Stop posting daily. Do this instead. | Engagement |
3 more sections and the PDF + CSV are behind the free download.
Tools that help with this
The template does the thinking; these are the products creators run it in. The full software directory has the rest.
Jasper
Jasper is an AI writing platform built for marketing teams and content creators who need on-brand copy at scale.
$69/mo
Copy.ai
Copy.ai is an AI writing platform that generates marketing copy, email sequences, social media posts, and sales outreach using multiple large language models including GPT-4 and Claude.
$29/mo
Writesonic
Writesonic is an AI writing platform that combines long-form article generation, a conversational AI assistant, brand voice training, and built-in SEO tools.
$99/mo
Notion AI
Notion AI is an AI writing and productivity assistant built directly into Notion's workspace.
$0/mo
Categories to browse: AI Writing Tools.
Frequently asked questions
What is a social media hook bank?
It is a reusable library of opening-line formulas, grouped by what you want the post to do. Each entry is a template with blanks, so the same proven structure can carry a different topic every time you use it.
What makes a social media hook actually work?
A strong hook opens a curiosity gap or makes a specific promise in the first few words, and it can be understood without any context. Concrete numbers, surprising claims, and clear stakes outperform vague openers like 'here are some tips' every time.
How long should a hook be on Reels or TikTok?
Keep the spoken or on-screen hook to about 3 seconds, roughly 5 to 8 words. You are competing for the swipe decision, which happens almost instantly, so front-load the most interesting word.
How do I use a hook bank without every post sounding the same?
Rotate hook types rather than reaching for your favourite. If this week's Reels all opened with a number, open the next one with a confession or a question. Logging which type you used makes the repetition obvious before your audience notices it.
Do the same hooks work on Reels, TikTok and LinkedIn?
The structures carry over, but the delivery does not. A spoken hook on TikTok should be five to eight words; the same idea on LinkedIn needs to read well as the first two lines of text. Rewrite for the format, keep the underlying angle.