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Video Hooks: 12 Ideas for the First 3 Seconds
Most people scroll past in three seconds. Use these 12 simple hook ideas to make Nepali shop videos stop the scroll and keep people watching.
You can spend a whole day filming and still lose the viewer in the first few seconds. People scroll fast. If the start of your video is slow, they are gone before they see your product.
The start of a video is called the hook. A good hook makes a person stop and think, "I want to see what happens." Below are 12 hook ideas you can use this week for a shop, cafe, salon or online store in Nepal.
What makes a hook work
A hook does one of three things. It shows something interesting, asks a question the viewer cares about, or promises a clear result. It does not start with a logo, a long hello or a slow zoom on a blank wall.
Keep the hook short. Say it in one line, or show it in one clip. Put the same words on the screen as text, because many people watch with the sound off.
12 hooks you can copy
1. Start with the result
Show the finished thing first. A fresh haircut, a packed parcel, a plate of hot momo. Then go back and show how it was made.
2. Ask a question your customer already has
"Which size should you order?" or "Does this jacket work for Kathmandu winter?" A question speaks directly to a person with that problem.
3. Say who it is for
"If you sell clothes on Instagram, watch this." People stay when they feel the video is for them.
4. Show a mistake
"Do not pack your parcel like this." Mistakes are interesting. Then show the right way.
5. Use a surprising close-up
Cheese pulling apart, a zip closing, oil poured on a pan. A strong close-up in the first second makes people look twice.
6. Start with a number or a list
"3 things to check before buying a laptop bag." People like to know how long the video will be and what they will get.
7. Start in the middle of the action
Do not show the door opening. Start when the knife is already cutting or the customer is already trying the shoes. Cut the waiting.
8. Before and after
A messy shelf, then a neat shelf. A tired face, then a fresh face. Show the change in the first clip, and explain after.
9. Say a bold but honest line
"This is how we get ready for wedding season." Only say what is true for your business. Do not promise what you cannot deliver.
10. Show a real customer moment
A parcel being opened, a smile at the counter, a WhatsApp order coming in (with names hidden). Real moments feel trusted.
11. Use a festival or season
"Tihar gift ideas for your family." Dashain, Tihar, wedding season and winter give people a reason to care today.
12. Tease the ending
"Wait for the last shot." Use this one carefully. It only works if the ending is worth the wait.
Match the hook to your business
- Clothing store: result first, or before and after with one outfit.
- Cafe or restaurant: a strong close-up of food, then the place.
- Salon or skincare: before and after, or a common mistake.
- Online shop with cash on delivery: a parcel being opened, or a question about delivery.
Common hook mistakes
- Starting with your logo. Put it at the end.
- A long hello. "Hi friends, welcome to our shop" loses people. Start with the point.
- Text that is too small. Make it large and short, with enough contrast to read on a phone.
- A hook the video does not deliver. If you promise a tip, give the tip. Otherwise people stop trusting you.
How to test your hooks
Do not guess which hook is best. Film the same video with two different starts. Post them on different days at a similar time, and compare how many people watched past the first few seconds. Your own numbers will tell you more than any list.
Keep a small note on your phone with the hooks that worked. After a month you will have your own list for your own customers.
Editing the hook
A hook is often made in the edit, not in the filming. Cut the first second of dead air, move your best shot to the start, add clear text and a quick sound. If you do not want to do this yourself, our video editing service can cut your clips so the best moment comes first.
If you need fresh footage with a strong opening, a creator can film it for you. See how it works on the creator shoots page.
