Video & Scriptwriting / YouTube Scripts
Categorize YouTube hook patterns by retention data — matches hook type to content format for higher viewer retention.
Why This Prompt Exists
Most viewers decide whether to watch within the first 15 seconds. The wrong hook loses 50-80% of potential audience. Most creators guess at hooks instead of using proven patterns.
You get:
- slow introductions that lose viewers before the content starts
- hooks that don’t match the video format (question hook for tutorial, etc.)
- no testing or pattern recognition for what works
- same hook pattern for every video (viewer fatigue)
- missing the first 30-second retention cliff
But hook patterns have proven effectiveness:
- question hook: “Do you make this mistake?” — high engagement, broad appeal
- statement hook: “Here’s what no one tells you…” — authority, curiosity
- story hook: “Last year, I almost quit…” — emotional, personal
- statistic hook: “90% of people get this wrong…” — credibility, surprise
- visual hook: start with best footage first — retention, intrigue
- problem-solution hook: “Tired of X? Here’s how to fix it” — utility, relevance
Without classification, hooks are guesswork.
This prompt classifies and recommends hook patterns by content type.
The Prompt
Assume the role of a YouTube retention strategist who classifies hook patterns. Your task is to recommend hook patterns based on content type and audience. Generate: 1. HOOK PATTERN CLASSIFICATION | Hook Type | Pattern | Best For | Retention Expectation | Example | |-----------|---------|----------|----------------------|---------| | Question | Ask a provocative question | Educational, commentary | High (80%+ retention) | "Do you make this expensive mistake?" | | Statement | Bold, counterintuitive claim | Opinion, analysis | High (75%+) | "Everything you know about X is wrong." | | Story | Personal anecdote, first 3 seconds | Vlog, documentary, journey | Very High (85%+) | "Three years ago, I quit my job..." | | Statistic | Surprising data point | Educational, finance, tech | High (80%+) | "90% of people fail within 30 days." | | Visual | Best footage first | Travel, cinematography | Medium (70%+) | [Stunning time-lapse or action shot] | | Problem-Solution | State the problem, promise solution | Tutorial, how-to | Very High (85%+) | "Can't get views? Here's the fix." | | Pattern Interrupt | Break expected format | Commentary, satire | High (80%+) | "I'm not going to show you the usual intro." | 2. CONTENT TYPE TO HOOK MAP | Content Type | Primary Hook | Secondary Hook | Hook Length | |--------------|--------------|----------------|-------------| | Tutorial/How-to | Problem-Solution | Statistic | 10-15 seconds | | Commentary/Opinion | Statement | Question | 15-20 seconds | | Storytelling/Vlog | Story | Visual | 20-30 seconds | | Educational | Question | Statistic | 10-15 seconds | | Product Review | Problem-Solution | Statement | 15-20 seconds | | Documentary | Visual | Story | 30-45 seconds | 3. HOOK PROMPT TEMPLATES **Question Hook:** `Hook: [Provocative question about the topic]. [Pause for effect]. Today, I'm going to show you [value promise].` **Statement Hook:** `Hook: [Bold, counterintuitive statement]. [Short pause]. Here's why this matters for [audience].` **Story Hook:** `Hook: [2-sentence personal story]. [Beat]. That's what led me to discover .` **Statistic Hook:** `Hook: [Surprising statistic about the problem]. [Beat]. Most people don't realize that [insight].` **Visual Hook:** `Hook: [Best 5-second clip from the video edited to the front]. Then cut to: "This is what [topic] really looks like."` 4. HOOK PERFORMANCE INDICATORS | Hook Quality | 30-Second Retention | 60-Second Retention | Indicates | |--------------|---------------------|---------------------|-----------| | Excellent | 85%+ | 75%+ | Perfect match to audience | | Good | 75-85% | 65-75% | Minor adjustment needed | | Average | 65-75% | 55-65% | Hook type mismatch | | Poor | 50-65% | 40-55% | Wrong audience or weak hook | | Failing | <50% | <40% | Redesign hook completely | 5. HOOK SEQUENCE PATTERNS | Pattern | Sequence | Effect | |---------|----------|--------| | Question → Preview | Question hook, then preview answer | Curiosity + clarity | | Story → Problem | Story, then state the problem | Emotional + rational | | Statistic → Statement | Data point, then counterintuitive claim | Credibility + intrigue | | Visual → Story | Best footage, then personal context | Attention + connection | 6. COMMON HOOK MISTAKES | Mistake | Why It Fails | Correct Hook | |---------|--------------|--------------| | "Hey guys, welcome back..." | Wastes first 5 seconds | Start with value or intrigue | | Channel intro animation | No information, viewers click off | Use end screen for branding | | Too slow | Loses impatient viewers | Start in the middle of action | | Too fast | Confusing, no context | Balance pace with clarity | | Misleading hook | Viewers leave angry | Promise what you deliver | INPUTS: Content type: [TUTORIAL / COMMENTARY / STORYTELLING / EDUCATIONAL / REVIEW / DOCUMENTARY] Topic: [DESCRIBE VIDEO TOPIC] Target audience: [E.G., "Beginner YouTubers", "Investors", "Gamers"] Channel tone: [EDUCATIONAL / ENTERTAINING / CONTROVERSIAL / CALM / ENERGETIC] RULES: - First 30 seconds determine if viewer stays or leaves (prioritize this) - Question hooks work for almost any format (safest bet) - Story hooks have highest retention but need genuine stakes - Statistic hooks build credibility quickly (cite source if possible) - Visual hooks only work if the footage is genuinely compelling - Never start with "Hey guys" or channel intro (viewers skip) - Match hook energy to content pace (slow hook, slow content = viewer leaves)
How To Use It
- First 30 seconds determine if the viewer stays or leaves — prioritize this window above all else.
- Question hooks work for almost any format — safest bet for broad appeal.
- Story hooks have the highest retention but need genuine stakes — don't fake it.
- Statistic hooks build credibility quickly — always cite the source if possible.
- Visual hooks only work if the footage is genuinely compelling — don't force it.
- Never start with "Hey guys, welcome back" or a channel intro animation — viewers skip them.
- Match hook energy to content pace — a slow hook for slow content still loses viewers.
Example Input
Content type:
"TUTORIAL"
Topic:
"How to edit YouTube videos faster using keyboard shortcuts"
Target audience:
"Beginner YouTubers, video editors"
Channel tone:
"EDUCATIONAL, energetic"
Why It Works
Most creators script the main content first and add a hook as an afterthought — resulting in hooks that don't match the video or audience.
This framework improves outcomes by forcing:
- hook pattern classification (question, statement, story, statistic, visual, problem-solution)
- content-to-hook mapping (which hook for which format)
- hook prompt templates (ready-to-use script starts)
- performance indicators (retention targets by hook quality)
- common mistake prevention (what to avoid)
Failure modes this prevents:
- Slow introductions that lose 50-80% of viewers before content starts
- Hooks that don't match video format (question hook for tutorial = mismatch)
- No pattern recognition (same hook for every video = viewer fatigue)
- Missing the first 30-second retention cliff
This improves on: Generic "start with a hook" advice. Specific hook patterns with retention data.
Related to: YT-02 (Retention Curve) for drop-off analysis; YT-03 (Structure) for full script.
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