6 Psychological Hacks for Better Writing

The secret to creating engaging social media posts lies right in front of you, and it’s surprisingly simple. Writing effective social media hooks can drastically change the interaction rate on your content.

It’s not about amassing a huge following or figuring out a tricky algorithm. Instead, it’s all about your opening words. Known as a ‘hook’ in copywriting, mastering social media hooks can be the difference between someone scrolling past your post or stopping to read more.

As a copywriter, crafting compelling hooks is part of my daily routine, but I also use these strategies on my personal social media accounts. Despite having around ~2,500 followers on LinkedIn, my posts consistently reach tens of thousands, engaging users and often turning them into leads and followers.

Today, I’m excited to share my framework for writing social media hooks that boost engagement regardless of your follower count. I’ll introduce you to six of my favorite hook types, which I regularly use to extend my social media reach.

A hook (or a “lede” in journalism) is the initial few sentences of your post. It could be the first lines of an Instagram post or the opening words of a TikTok video.

Take this Instagram Reel from stylist Christie Moeller. Christie begins with, “buckle up, because this fall trend is not for the faint-hearted.” The audio, combined with her caption (“the fall trend everyone is talking about”), builds intrigue and makes you want to stay tuned.

(Spoiler alert: it’s silk scarves paired with baseball caps. Thanks, Christie!)

This is precisely what your social media hook should achieve. It should grab attention and encourage engagement.

Without a compelling hook, there’s a risk people will scroll past your content, missing your message. After investing time and effort into content creation, that’s the last thing you want.

Pick Your Topic

For your hook to be effective, it should lead into a topic that your audience finds exciting. Here’s an example from my LinkedIn post, which fell flat due to a misalignment with my audience.

My audience was primarily freelance writers at the time, many of whom didn’t have email lists or lead magnets. Despite an intriguing hook, the topic didn’t resonate.

To discover what excites your audience:

• Review past high-performing social media posts to see which topics have the most engagement.
• Check competitors’ profiles for successful topics based on engagement metrics.
• Explore relevant subreddits, sorting by popularity to see what generates the most engagement.

Select an Angle

Your angle determines how you craft your hook. Will you rely on curiosity or promise a story?

There are numerous angles to use. Here are six psychological techniques to inspire your readers to engage with your entire post:

Download my free hook template guide for multiple templates to aid your hook creation process.

Open Loop Technique

Open loops create curiosity by presenting an idea without revealing everything immediately, keeping the reader engaged. This method resembles cliffhangers used in books and TV shows.

This post garnered almost 60,000 impressions with only around 2,500 followers. This shows the power of an effective open loop.

Tips for Writing Open Loop Hooks

• Start with a bold statement or question to spark curiosity.
• Delay the resolution to keep readers engaged.
• Ensure the reveal is worth the wait.

Bandwagon Effect

The bandwagon effect entices people to join in because others are doing it. This method can prompt engagement or actions like sharing stories or joining an email list.

Despite lower engagement on this post, many signed up for my email list after reading that over 100 writers had already done so.

Tips for Writing Bandwagon Effect Hooks

• Highlight popularity with numbers or terms like “many” or “countless.”
• Use phrases like “join,” “be part of,” and “add your voice.”
• Signal ongoing trends by highlighting momentum.
• Provide a strong call-to-action (CTA).

Storytelling

Humans are naturally drawn to stories. Use your hook to promise an enticing story that your audience won’t want to miss.

Even brief anecdotes can grab attention. For instance, point-form stories work well if the story is long and complicated:

Tips for Writing Storytelling Hooks

• Start with the highest tension or pleasure moment to grab attention.
• Tease the outcome to build curiosity.
• Keep it simple.

Social Proof

Social proof reinforces why someone should read your post through the actions of others. This method works well when offering advice or promoting a product or service.

Tips for Writing Social Proof Hooks

• Share impressive statistics related to your post.
• Include testimonials from clients or customers.
• Showcase results or achievements.
• Mention awards or recognitions.

Contrarian Statements

Contrarian statements challenge popular beliefs and can capture attention with their shock value. Use them carefully to avoid alienating your audience. Instead, focus on presenting an alternative perspective that stands out.

Tips for Writing Contrarian Statement Hooks

• Challenge a common belief.
• Avoid being offensive or alienating.
• Support your claim with evidence.

Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)

FOMO hooks tap into the anxiety of missing out, encouraging engagement by highlighting urgency or time-sensitive information.

Tips for Writing FOMO Hooks

• Highlight time-sensitive offers or information.
• Showcase the benefits of taking action now.
• Use phrases like “last chance” or “don’t miss out.”

Write Your Hook

Create at least three versions of your hook for the chosen angle, and select the best one. Don’t stress too much—the more hooks you write, the more accurately you’ll identify the best-performing ones in the future.

If stuck, grab my free hook templates to get started.

Key Tips for Writing Hooks

• Use power words to evoke emotion.
• Keep it brief to maintain readability.
• Ensure your hook is truthful and deliver on its promise.

Write the Rest of Your Caption (and a CTA)

Using your hook as a guide, draft your caption. Tools like Buffer’s AI Assistant can help by providing instructions based